Why People Go to Therapy — And It’s More Than Just to Treat Mental Health Conditions
Key takeaways:
Therapy is an effective treatment for a range of mental health conditions, which is a common reason why people go to therapy.
People may also seek therapy for other reasons, such as to help manage stress, improve self-confidence, and process their grief.
There are many different types of therapy available that differ in their approaches.
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If you’ve never been to therapy before, you may have wondered why people go to therapy and why therapy is important.
Therapy is a type of treatment for mental health disorders and other life stressors. It involves talking with a trained therapist and working toward mutually-agreed upon goals. The goals of therapy vary depending on your needs. But generally, the goal of therapy is to feel better.
Why people go to therapy
People go to therapy for a number of different reasons. They may turn to therapy to help them:
Change ineffective behaviors
Cope with mental health symptoms
Heal from their past
Identify their life goals
Feel stronger when faced with challenges
Enhance their relationship skills
Develop self-confidence
Work through their grief
Improve their problem-solving abilities
Navigate significant life changes and stressors
Focus on personal growth and self-exploration
Therapy can also help with many mental health conditions, including:
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You can benefit from therapy even if you don’t have a mental health disorder. Therapy can help if you are:
Feeling stressed, overwhelmed, or not yourself
Having trouble in your relationships
Feeling worried or constantly on edge
Having difficulty focusing on tasks or completing everyday activities
Turning to ineffective coping mechanisms
Looking to find a greater sense of meaning
Exploring and consolidating values
Looking to improve interpersonal communication
Working on peak performance
Seeking to maintain wellness
What are the benefits of going to therapy?
Therapy offers a range of benefits. Going to therapy can lead to:
Less anxiety, depression, and other mental health symptoms
Lower likelihood of future relapses
Better functioning at work and school
Improvements in your relationships
Better attention and focus
Our brains are neuroplastic, which means that the structure and function of our brains can change. In therapy, you may learn new skills and uncover emotions and memories that you have never opened up about. In doing so, therapy can provide an opportunity for your brain to rewire itself, resulting in long-lasting positive changes.
Common myths and stigmas about therapy
As a society, our openness to therapy has come a long way. But for some people, therapy still carries a stigma. There are also many myths about therapy.
Here are some common myths about therapy and what it’s actually like.
Myth: Therapists just want to talk about your childhood
Here’s the truth: You can talk about a lot of different topics in therapy, including your past, present, and future. Some types of therapy, like psychodynamic therapy, place a greater emphasis on your past. Others, like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), are more focused on the present.
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Myth: Therapy is only for people with severe mental health problems
You don’t need to have a mental illness to benefit from therapy. Anyone can seek therapy. And therapy can help with even mild mental health symptoms.
It can also be helpful if you want to improve your relationships or communication skills. Or it can provide support if you’re facing a big life change.
Myth: Going to therapy will stay on your record and keep you from getting a job
Therapy is confidential, except in very specific instances, which your therapist will go over with you. Generally, no one can know that you’re in therapy without your permission, including your employer.
Myth: Therapy lasts forever
Therapy can last for as little as a few sessions, or as long as a few years. It depends on your mental health, the type of therapy, and your personal preferences.
Myth: Therapists will tell you exactly what to do
In reality, therapists rarely give direct advice. Instead, they will help you explore a situation and guide you toward making a decision that is right for you.
What types of therapy are available?
There are several different approaches to mental health therapy. Each approach differs based on its theory and the specific strategies that therapists use to help clients reach their goals.
Some of the most common types of therapy are:
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): CBT helps people change negative thought patterns that lead to unhelpful emotions and behaviors.
Exposure therapy: Exposure therapy helps people face situations that cause anxiety while using coping skills to decrease their anxiety over time. Prolonged exposure therapy can help treat PTSD and other types of trauma. Exposure and response prevention (ERP) is considered the first-choice treatment for OCD.
Psychodynamic therapy: This type of therapy explores how a person’s past experiences affect their emotions and relationships.
Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT): DBT encourages people to find a balance between accepting their emotions while also taking steps toward positive change. It also teaches people many new skills to manage emotions and relationships.
Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT): ACT teaches you how to use mindfulness and your values to make decisions about your life.
These therapies have been studied on a wide range of mental health conditions and are effective at treating specific conditions. The right type of therapy for you will depend on your mental health symptoms and personal preferences.
How to get into therapy
Once you decide that you’d like to start therapy, you can begin searching for the right therapist. First you will want to get a clear idea about what you are looking for in a therapist.
Consider the following:
What type of therapy are you looking for?
Do you prefer seeing a therapist in person or via telehealth?
How will you pay for therapy?
What is your budget?
Would you like your therapist to belong to or have experience with any specific cultures or groups?
Once you have a sense of what you are looking for in a therapist, you can find one by:
Asking your healthcare provider for a referral
Asking family and friends for recommendations
Contacting your health insurance company for a list of in-network providers
Conducting an online search using databases like Psychology Today or Therapy Den
Calling the SAMHSA National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357) for a referral
Searching SAMHSA’s online treatment services locator tool
You can also search a therapist directory. The following organizations offer lists of therapists along with information about their treatment approaches:
American Psychological Association: A directory of licensed psychologists across the U.S.
American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy: A listing of licensed marriage and family therapists across the U.S.
Open Path Collective: A directory of therapists offering reduced-fee sessions ranging from $40 to $70 per session
Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapists: A directory of therapists who are trained in CBT
Inclusive Therapists: A directory of BIPOC and LGBTQ+ affirming therapists
Tips for getting started in therapy
Once you’ve found a therapist you’re interested in working with, you can reach out to them by phone or email to schedule an appointment. It’s normal to feel nervous when you first start therapy, but these feelings usually fade over time.
Keep the following in mind when you’re first starting therapy:
Schedule your appointments on days and times that work for you so you can be consistent.
Take some time to think about your goals for therapy before your first session.
Share as much with your therapist as you feel comfortable.
Don’t hesitate to ask questions or for clarification.
Remember that it may take time to build rapport with a therapist and feel comfortable. But if it feels like it’s not a good fit, it’s OK to change therapists. Sometimes you’ll need to meet with a few therapists before you find the right one. Don’t give up!
The bottom line
People seek therapy for many different reasons. Some people are looking for help with a specific mental health condition. Others would like to focus on improving their relationships, confidence, or problem-solving skills. Therapy can help with a wide variety of problems. The most important thing is finding the right therapist and establishing goals that you both agree on.
Why trust our experts?
References
American Psychological Association. (n.d.). Exceptions to confidentiality for mental health providers (in California).
American Psychological Association. (2010). Psychodynamic psychotherapy brings lasting benefits through self-knowledge.
American Psychological Association. (2012). Understanding psychotherapy and how it works.
American Psychological Association. (2017). What is exposure therapy?
DeAngelis, T. (2019). Better relationships with patients lead to better outcomes. American Psychological Association.
Mental Health America. (n.d.). Science behind therapy.
Mental Health America. (n.d.). Therapy.
National Alliance on Mental Illness. (n.d.). Psychotherapy.
National Institute of Mental Health. (2023). Psychotherapies.
Puderbaugh, M., et al. (2023). Neuroplasticity. StatPearls.
Sweet, M., et al. (2010). Therapy: Myths & misconceptions. Cornell Research Program on Self-Injurious Behavior in Adolescents and Young Adults.
For additional resources or to connect with mental health services in your area, call SAMHSA’s National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357. For immediate assistance, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988, or text HOME to 741-741 to reach the Crisis Text Line.
