Finding the right therapist starts with getting an understanding of the different types of therapy that are available to you and the benefits of each. There are four main types of therapy, outlined by the APA.
If you are experiencing any symptoms of depression, anxiety, or poor mental health, the National Institute of Mental Health recommends that you seek therapy. The problem is, sometimes the symptoms of these conditions are not obvious—so you may find yourself wondering if you really need a therapist or not. Here are some sneaky symptoms that you may not realize are associated with mental health, according to the American Psychiatric Association.
More reasons why you may want to consider therapy, according to the Mayo Clinic include:
Many people think that if you’re not experiencing signs of poor mental health, you don’t need therapy—however, therapy is a great way to avoid a decline in mental health or a mental health crisis. The science behind therapy outlined at MentalHealthAmerican.org outlines ways that therapy can help vyou with a multitude of things, including:
When seeking therapy, it’s essential to choose a format that aligns with your personal needs, preferences, and lifestyle. Here’s an overview of various therapy formats to consider:
In-person therapy consists of traditional face-to-face sessions conducted in a therapist’s office.
Virtual therapy is where sessions are conducted online via video calls, phone calls, or messaging platforms.
Research indicates that virtual therapy can be as effective as in-person therapy for various mental health conditions.
Individual therapy consists of one-on-one sessions between you and a therapist.
Group therapy, meanwhile, is conducted with multiple participants led by one or more therapists.
While individual therapy is generally more common, group therapy has been found to be just as effective for many mental health conditions.
Short-term therapy focuses on addressing specific issues within a limited timeframe, often using structured approaches like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT).
Long-term therapy involves an open-ended timeframe, allowing for exploration of deep-seated issues and personal development.
The choice between short-term and long-term therapy should be guided by your specific needs, goals, and the nature of the issues you wish to address.
Before you start your search, it's important to consider your insurance coverage. Some insurance plans cover therapy, while others don't. If your plan covers therapy, you'll want to start your search for a therapist who is in-network—this can help you lower your out-of-pocket costs. If your plan doesn't cover therapy, you can start your search with several lower-cost or virtual options.
When you’re first researching therapists, it's important to look at what their specialty is, what credentials they have, and any reviews they have. A therapist's specialty can help you decide if they have experience working with the issues you'd like help with, such as:
Reviews from other patients are a great way to find out what to expect when working with a particular therapist.
When you’ve found a potential therapist, it's important to ask them questions to see if they're a good fit for you. Some questions you may want to ask, in part suggested from Choose Mental Health, include:
With stress, anxiety, and burnout reaching unprecedented levels, many people are exploring therapy as a path to better well-being. The US Surgeon General declared a loneliness and isolation epidemic in 2023, making it more important than ever to find a good mental health provider.
There are four main types of therapy: Cognitive Therapy, which focuses on changing negative thought patterns; Behavioral Therapy, which focuses on learning skills to manage emotions and improve relationships; Humanistic Therapy, which helps you make rational choices and develop to your fullest potential; and Mindfulness Therapy, which focuses on being present in the moment and increasing your awareness of yourself.
If you are experiencing any symptoms of depression, anxiety, or poor mental health, the National Institute of Mental Health recommends that you seek therapy. Symptoms can include feelings of sadness, hopelessness, loss of interest in activities, difficulty sleeping, changes in appetite, feelings of worthlessness, difficulty concentrating, and thoughts of death or suicide.
Therapy can be conducted in different formats depending on your personal needs, preferences, and lifestyle. These include in-person therapy, virtual therapy, individual therapy, group therapy, short-term therapy, and long-term therapy. Each format has its own benefits and considerations.
When searching for a therapist, consider your insurance coverage, the therapist's specialty, credentials, and reviews. Once you've found a potential therapist, ask them questions about their experience, approach to cultural sensitivity, typical patient duration, goal setting, success measurement, fees, virtual session availability, emergency session policy, cancellation policy, and how to prepare for each session.
Find a therapist that accepts your insurance and be seen within 2 days. Over 8,000 vetted therapists, 50+ insurances accepted, and both online and in-person options, find the care you need in a schedule that suits you.
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Solv has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references.
Find a therapist that accepts your insurance and be seen within 2 days. Over 8,000 vetted therapists, 50+ insurances accepted, and both online and in-person options, find the care you need in a schedule that suits you.
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