For many people, mental health care seems to come in just two forms: medication from a provider or weekly therapy. If things get really bad, the next step often seems to be a trip to the emergency room or a hospital stay focused on safety. But outside of these extremes, most people aren’t aware that other, more supportive options exist.

Starting therapy is a big step that takes courage and self-awareness. But beyond showing up to sessions, something else makes therapy work: trust. Think about any close, supportive relationship in your life. Whether it’s a best friend, a partner, or a mentor, the foundation of that connection is trust. Therapy is no different.

Psychotherapy is a unique process that serves to better one’s life through the understanding and unraveling of past experiences and how they impact behavior thoughts and feelings in the present.  Thus, outlining goals in such a process, where goals may change over time presents a challenge to a more contained goal-setting strategy that applies to say, physical therapy.

You’ve begun to think about going into therapy.  It’s a very big step, so naturally, you would like to have some sense that there will be a bit of success before you commit to the time and the investment.

You’ve made the decision to begin therapy.  A commendable choice. But now you’re weighing which modality is right for you: individual or group therapy?

On March 12, 2020, a seismic global shift took hold. A worldwide pandemic, the likes of which had not been seen in over 100 years, gripped the global community. It necessitated immediate adaptation to keep some continuity in daily life, commerce, and government. Psychotherapy as a field was no exception.

Mental illness has long been stigmatized in society.  Countless stories, plays, films, and other artistic depictions of the ‘mentally ill’ include horrifying scenes of people out of control, and cold, impersonal staff behaving sadistically toward tragically downtrodden individuals.  

There has been a sharply increasing awareness of the relationship between mental health and physical well-being. Doctors and other health care providers include more mental health screening in their initial intakes as well as attunement to changes in mental health in long-term patients.  

Since emotional trauma varies so much, there are many ways to address it. Mild emotional trauma is a fact of life and usually doesn’t require professional treatment. Learning from uncomfortable experiences is a valuable part of normal growth and development. We become more resilient and able to handle minor distress better in the future.

For over a century, psychotherapy (often called “talk therapy”) has helped countless people unravel the knots in their minds. Yes, “simply talking” with a trained therapist can relieve even serious mental and emotional distress.

When Sigmund Freud invented psychoanalysis over a century ago, he saw patients daily — every day except Sunday. In contrast, psychotherapy now mostly occurs once a week. But there’s a lot of variation: some clients go two or three times a week, while others meet with their therapist every other week, or even less.

As someone who thrives on making informed decisions, you're likely seeking ways to optimize your personal and professional life. If you've ever wondered whether psychotherapy could be the right next step in that journey, you’re not alone.

To treat anxiety and mood symptoms along with their underlying cause, many such conditions are best treated with psychotherapy, either alone or in combination with medication.

Medication can ease symptoms, but true healing happens when you get to the root of emotional distress. Psychotherapy helps you understand and reshape patterns for lasting change. Explore how therapy and medication can work together for a stronger, healthier you.

Who you tell your stories to matters. The person hearing you impacts what you feel comfortable sharing, what you share, and how you come to live with the things that you share about. This is true in everyday relationships, and it’s also true when it comes to finding the right psychotherapist for you.

Therapy is more than just talking—it’s about growth, healing, and lasting change. Don’t let common myths keep you from the support you deserve. Explore the truth about psychotherapy and how it can help you move forward.

In everyday speech, psychotherapy is often shortened to “therapy” and treated as a generic service — as though everyone’s psychotherapy should look the same. And then, to add to the confusion, the public learns that certain terms or buzzwords separate “good” types of psychotherapy from “bad.”

This is a big misunderstanding.