Therapy FAQs: Where should you begin?

Starting therapy or even thinking about it can bring up a lot of uncertainty. Sometimes, you can wonder if your struggles are “serious enough” or whether a therapist will truly understand you. These questions are more common than you might think, and you’re not alone in asking them.

What actually happens in therapy?

What happens in therapy depends on your needs, but sessions often include talking through emotions, exploring patterns, and gaining insight into your behaviors and relationships. Some days might feel focused and structured, others more open-ended. The most important part is that therapy is centered around you, and you don’t have to talk about anything that you don’t want to. With a Person Centered approach, we can start by talking about the things that you want to address and work on, and on the days that you don’t know where to begin, we can throw out some options based on what we’ve already talked about.

How do I know if I need therapy?

You do not have to be in crisis to start therapy and you don’t need a diagnosis to seek support. If you’re asking this question, something inside you may already be inviting you to pay attention and take care of yourself, and so therapy is worth a try. There are many different approaches to therapy, and it does not have to be a long term commitment. Therapy is helpful if you’re feeling overwhelmed, stuck, anxious, disconnected, or unsure of how you might be feeling at all. It’s a place to get curious about shifts in mood, relationships, or your sense of purpose. If you’re still not sure, schedule a free consultation with a therapist to ask more questions, 

What type of therapy is best for anxiety, depression, or trauma?

There’s no one-size-fits-all approach, and part of working with a therapist is figuring out what type of therapy will be most effective for your symptoms, life experiences, and values. What’s shown to be most important to therapeutic progress is the relationship that you build with your therapist and how connected you feel to the work that you’re doing. 

What’s the difference between a therapist, psychologist, and psychiatrist?

A therapist (like a Licensed Professional Counselor or Clinical Social Worker) has completed a Master’s degree offers talk therapy, emotional support, and specific tools to address your symptoms. A psychologist typically holds a doctoral degree and may focus on assessments or advanced therapy methods. A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who can prescribe medication and manage psychiatric care. Sometimes, people work with a team that includes more than one of these professionals. If you’re unsure what kind of support you need, a therapist can help you figure that out and guide you to the right fit.

How long does therapy take to work?

Therapy isn’t a linear process, and there’s no universal timeline. Some people notice relief within a few sessions, especially if they’re navigating a specific issue. For more complex issues or long-term patterns, therapy can be more ongoing. The length of therapy can be discussed with your therapist when you identify your desired outcomes and develop a treatment plan to meet your goals. What matters most is consistency and commitment to the work you want to do.

Closing Thoughts

If you’ve been holding these questions quietly, I hope this gave you something real to hold onto. You don’t have to have everything figured out to begin. It’s normal to be unsure, hesitant, even scared. And therapy can be the place to help you figure all of this out.

If you want answers that are more tailored to you reach out to us here, and we can schedule a 15 minute phone consultation.