Getting Started
Some introductory resources for those considering psychotherapy
47 resources
What is Therapy: Your First Session
Kati Morton
Licensed therapist explains what to expect in your first therapy session.
How to Know If You Need Therapy
MedCircle
Clinical psychologist discusses signs it might be time to seek mental health support.
How to Find a Therapist
Therapy in a Nutshell
Practical guide to finding the right therapist including questions to ask.
Maybe You Should Talk to Someone
Lori Gottlieb
A therapist goes to therapy - intimate exploration of what therapy is really like.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
A U.S. government agency leading public health efforts to advance the behavioral health of the nation. Offers data, publications, and a national helpline for substance abuse and mental health issues.
Psychology Today Therapist Directory
A comprehensive directory for finding therapists, psychologists, and counselors in the US and internationally. Users can filter by location, insurance, specialty, and therapy type.
Self-Care on GoodTherapy
An article explaining the importance of self-care for mental and emotional well-being. It offers examples and tips for integrating self-care practices into daily life.
LGBTQ+ Educational Content
LGBTQ+ focused entertainment and educational content. Supports inclusive and affirming practice values.
Talkspace Online Therapy
Talkspace
Online therapy platform for life changes and transitions.
Authentic Relating Training International (ART)
An organization that teaches the practice of Authentic Relating, a set of skills for creating more meaningful and connected human relationships. They offer courses and workshops designed to improve communication and relational intelligence.
Journalist Abigail Shrier on Gen Z's Anxiety Problem and Why Therapy May Not Be the Solution
Top 4 Inherited Mental Health Disorders: What You Need to Know
What to Expect During Your First Therapy Session
Kati Morton, LMFT
A licensed therapist walks you through exactly what happens in a first session so there are no surprises.
5 Signs that You Need Therapy
Kati Morton, LMFT
Simple, honest signs that it may be time to reach out for professional support.
Which Type of Therapy is Right for You?
Kati Morton, LMFT
A plain-language tour of the main kinds of therapy and how to tell which might fit you.
How Much Does Therapy Cost?
Kati Morton, LMFT
A therapist explains typical session fees, insurance, and lower-cost options so money questions don't stop you from starting.
Do You Need Therapy? How to Know If You Need to See a Therapist
Emma McAdam, LMFT (Therapy in a Nutshell)
A clear checklist for deciding whether everyday stress has reached the point where therapy would help.
6 Keys to Get Way More Out of Therapy
Emma McAdam, LMFT (Therapy in a Nutshell)
Practical ways to show up to sessions so the time and money you invest in therapy actually pay off.
Yellow Flags in a Therapist
Emma McAdam, LMFT (Therapy in a Nutshell)
Early warning signs that a therapist may not be the right fit, and when it's reasonable to move on.
How to Find a Good Trauma Therapist
Emma McAdam, LMFT (Therapy in a Nutshell)
What to look for in a trauma-trained therapist and which proven treatments to ask about.
Psychiatrist or Therapist: Who Should You See?
Tracey Marks, MD
A psychiatrist explains the difference between therapy and psychiatry and how to decide where to start.
What is Psychotherapy?
Psych Hub
A short animated explainer of what psychotherapy is and how talking to a professional actually helps.
What to Expect in Therapy
Psych Hub
A quick animated overview of how the therapy process unfolds from the first call onward.
What is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy?
Psych Hub
A two-minute introduction to CBT, one of the most common and well-researched forms of therapy.
Why is it So Hard to Get Good Therapy?
Ali Mattu, PhD (The Psych Show)
A clinical psychologist explains the real barriers to finding good care and how to work around them.
How to Practice Emotional First Aid
Guy Winch, PhD
A famous TED talk on why we treat physical injuries but ignore emotional ones, and why that should change.
How Changing Your Story Can Change Your Life
Lori Gottlieb, LMFT
The author of Maybe You Should Talk to Someone shows how therapy helps you edit the story you tell about your life.
How to Understand & Assess Your Mental Health
Paul Conti, MD, with Andrew Huberman, PhD
A psychiatrist gives a framework for taking honest stock of your own mental health before seeking help.
Why Has Nobody Told Me This Before?
Julie Smith, PhD
A clinical psychologist shares the practical tools she teaches in the therapy room, in short readable chapters.
Emotional First Aid: Healing Rejection, Guilt, Failure, and Other Everyday Hurts
Guy Winch, PhD
Simple, research-backed techniques for treating everyday emotional wounds like rejection, loneliness, and failure.
Feeling Good: The New Mood Therapy
David D. Burns, MD
The classic introduction to cognitive therapy, showing how changing thought patterns can lift mood.
Good Morning, Monster: A Therapist Shares Five Heroic Stories of Emotional Recovery
Catherine Gildiner, PhD
Five true stories from a psychologist’s practice that show what the therapy journey looks like from the inside.
Psychotherapies (NIMH)
National Institute of Mental Health
The federal research institute’s plain-language overview of what psychotherapy is and the main evidence-based types.
Understanding Psychotherapy and How It Works
American Psychological Association
The APA’s guide to how therapy works, how long it takes, and how to know whether it’s helping.
How Do I Choose Between Medication and Therapy?
American Psychological Association
APA guidance on weighing therapy, medication, or both when you’re deciding how to get help.
Psychotherapy (NAMI)
National Alliance on Mental Illness
NAMI’s overview of common therapy approaches, written for people and families new to mental health care.
Mental Health Coverage Options
HealthCare.gov
The official explanation of how health insurance must cover mental health care, including therapy.
Finding Therapy
Mental Health America
A step-by-step guide to finding a therapist, including options when cost or insurance is a barrier.
Open Path Psychotherapy Collective
A nonprofit directory of licensed therapists who offer sessions at reduced rates for people without adequate insurance.
FindTreatment.gov
SAMHSA (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services)
The federal government’s confidential locator for licensed mental health and substance use treatment near you.
Take a Mental Health Test
Mental Health America
Free, anonymous, clinically validated screening quizzes that can help you decide whether to talk to a professional.
APA Psychologist Locator
American Psychological Association
The APA’s official search tool for finding licensed psychologists by location, specialty, and insurance.
Speaking of Psychology
American Psychological Association
The APA’s podcast where leading psychologists explain the research behind everyday mental health questions.
Dear Therapists
Lori Gottlieb, LMFT, and Guy Winch, PhD
Two well-known therapists work through real listeners’ problems, so you can hear what therapy actually sounds like.
Ask Kati Anything
Kati Morton, LMFT
A licensed therapist answers real audience questions about starting therapy and everyday mental health.
The Gift of Therapy
Irvin D. Yalom, MD
85 reflections on the art and practice of psychotherapy.
Need Guidance?
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