Therapy FAQ

Generally speaking, therapy is a process of spending time with an expert in a caring and integrated relationship to improve various aspects of your life. Therapy can focus on your life experiences, relationships, feelings, thoughts, and behaviors. It has many forms such as individual therapy where you meet one-on-one with a therapist, family therapy, or group therapy where you work on similar issues with a small number of other people.

Therapy can help you better handle life’s obstacles and improve your quality of life. Participating in therapy also helps you understand what, why, and how you’re feeling and helps you to deal with those feelings. Think of therapy like you would a visit with your doctor or a dentist. If there is a problem, you schedule an appointment to see your doctor. When there’s a concerning issue, you need to see that doctor more frequently. Just remember that mental health is just as important as your physical health.

A good therapist listens to you, checks in with you, and earns your trust. They should be a good communicator, want what’s best for you, and validate your feelings. The best way to get the most out of your therapy experience is to be honest with your therapist. If you find it difficult to connect with your therapist, it’s perfectly fine to tell them so!

While all often partner to improve a patient’s mental health, these three professions vary.

Both psychologists and psychiatrists specialize in the study, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of emotional, mental, behavioral, and developmental issues. Psychologists diagnose and treat mental disorders, learning disabilities, and behavioral problems. They help people learn to understand and handle different life problems and mental health issues.

Unlike psychologists, psychiatrists are physicians with a medical degree who diagnose mental disorders and focus on chemical imbalances in the brain. They can assess the mental and physical effects of a disorder and prescribe medication if needed.

Therapists provide mental health diagnosis and develop a treatment plan. In order to practice, they must have a master’s degree and approval from their licensing boards. Unlike psychiatrists, therapists cannot recommend or order medications, but they can refer clients for evaluation for medication or other treatments.

Every therapist’s profile will list their insurance preferences and payment options. If you need more specific insurance information, contact that provider directly through their profile, or ask our Therapy Directory Online staff for help.