Therapy FAQs and Resources
Therapy FAQs
How can therapy help me?
Therapy offers a wide range of benefits. Working with a therapist can provide support, problem-solving skills, and effective coping strategies for challenges such as depression, anxiety, relationship issues, unresolved childhood experiences, grief, stress, body image concerns, and creative blocks. Many individuals also find therapy helpful in navigating personal growth, family dynamics, marital challenges, and everyday life stressors.
Therapists offer a fresh perspective and can help you gain insight into difficult problems. The value you get from therapy depends largely on your commitment to the process and how actively you apply what you learn.
Potential benefits of therapy include:
- Gaining a deeper understanding of yourself, your goals, and values
- Enhancing relationship skills and emotional intelligence
- Learning healthy ways to manage stress, anxiety, and other emotional challenges
- Coping more effectively with anger, grief, and depression
- Improving communication and listening abilities
- Replacing unhelpful behavior patterns with healthier ones
- Finding solutions to family or marital problems
- Building self-esteem and confidence
Do I really need therapy? I usually manage things on my own.
Everyone experiences difficult times, and even if you’ve successfully managed challenges in the past, there’s no shame in seeking additional support when you need it. In fact, reaching out for help is a sign of strength and self-awareness. Choosing to pursue therapy means you’re taking an active role in understanding where you are in life and committing to meaningful change.
Therapy offers lasting benefits by equipping you with tools to recognize and manage triggers, break unhealthy patterns, and navigate life’s obstacles more effectively. It’s a proactive step toward greater well-being and personal growth.
Why do people choose therapy, and how do I know if it's something I could benefit from?
People seek therapy for a variety of reasons. Some are navigating major life transitions—such as job loss, divorce, or a new career—while others are struggling to cope with ongoing stress or emotional challenges. Therapy can also be helpful for those dealing with issues like low self-esteem, depression, anxiety, addiction, relationship difficulties, spiritual concerns, or creative blocks.
For many, therapy offers encouragement, support, and practical tools to move through difficult periods. Others come to therapy not because something is “wrong,” but because they want to better understand themselves, grow personally, and pursue their goals more effectively.
Ultimately, seeking therapy reflects a readiness to face life’s challenges with intention and to make meaningful changes.
What can I expect from therapy?
Since everyone has unique challenges and goals, therapy is tailored to fit the individual. Typically, you can expect to discuss what’s currently happening in your life, reflect on your personal history, and review any progress or new insights from your previous session. Therapy may be short-term if you’re addressing a specific issue, or longer-term if you’re working through deeper patterns or aiming for personal growth. Regardless of the length, regular sessions (often weekly) are common.
To get the most out of therapy, it’s important to be an active participant. Therapy isn’t just about what happens in the session itself—it’s about applying what you learn to your life. Your therapist may suggest activities outside of sessions, such as reading a relevant book, journaling, observing certain behaviors, or taking steps toward your goals, to further support your progress. Ultimately, those who seek therapy are ready to embrace change, be open to new perspectives, and take responsibility for their lives.
Can I use my insurance for therapy?
To find out if your insurance plan includes mental health coverage, start by contacting your insurance carrier directly. Be sure to review your coverage thoroughly and ask for clarification if needed. Here are some useful questions to guide your conversation:
- What mental health benefits are included in my plan?
- How much does my plan cover per therapy session?
- How many therapy sessions does my insurance cover?
- What is the reimbursement for out-of-network providers?
- Do I need approval from my primary care physician to access services?
Is everything discussed in therapy kept confidential?
Confidentiality is a cornerstone of the therapeutic relationship. For therapy to be effective, it’s essential to establish trust, especially when discussing sensitive topics that are typically not shared elsewhere. Every therapist should provide you with a written confidentiality statement, ensuring that what you discuss in therapy will remain private. This is known as “Informed Consent.”
However, there may be times when you wish for your therapist to share information with someone on your healthcare team—such as your physician, naturopath, or attorney. In such cases, your therapist cannot release any information without your explicit written consent.
That said, state laws and professional ethics do require therapists to break confidentiality in the following situations:
- If there is suspected abuse or neglect (past or present) of children, adults, or elders, the therapist must report it to authorities, including Child Protection or law enforcement, based on information provided by the client or other sources.
- If the therapist believes the client is at serious risk of self-harm or has made threats to harm others.
Why treat mental health with therapy instead of medication?
It is widely recognized that medication alone is not a long-term solution for mental and emotional challenges or the pain they bring. While medication can help manage symptoms, therapy works to uncover and address the root causes of distress, as well as the behavior patterns that may be holding you back. True, lasting growth and improved well-being are best achieved through a holistic approach to wellness. By collaborating with your medical doctor, you can explore the options that suit your unique needs—often, a combination of therapy and medication proves to be the most effective path forward.
Therapy and Support Resources
Crisis Resources
Suicide Prevention and Support
If you or someone you know is in crisis and needs immediate assistance, the following resources are available to help:
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Dial 988
Crisis Line (Minnesota): Call **CRISIS (**274747)
Crisis Text Line: Text “MN” to 741741 for free, 24/7 support
The Trevor Project: Call 866-488-7386 for LGBTQ+ youth support
Minnesota Farm & Rural Helpline: Call 833-600-2670 for farm and rural assistance
Emergency Services: Dial 911
For additional resources, visit NAMI’s Suicide Awareness, Prevention, and Support page.
Mental Health Crisis Teams
Crisis teams, composed of mental health professionals, provide on-site assistance to individuals in need. These teams can travel to the individual’s location to assess the situation and offer support, including:
- Stabilization services
- Intervention and crisis management
- Crisis prevention planning
- Referrals to other professionals or resources
- Follow-up services
Crisis teams are available by phone 24/7 and are a critical resource when someone is:
- Suicidal
- Psychotic
- Exhibiting out-of-control behavior, or threatening harm to themselves or others.
Contact the Crisis Team in Your Area:
Anoka County: 763-755-3801
Carver County: 952-442-7601
Dakota County: 952-891-7171
Washington County: 651-275-7400
Ramsey County: Adults: 651-266-7900 / Children: 651-266-7878
Hennepin County: Adults or Children – 612-596-1223
For more information, refer to the County Crisis Services Fact Sheet
Organizational Resources
Adult Mental Health Services (DHS MN)
Adult Rehabilitation Mental Health Services (ARMHS)
All Treatment Locator (alcohol and drug treatment)
Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) teams
Autism Resource Portal (DHS MN)
Children’s Mental Health Service (DHS MN)
Community Mental Health Centers (MN)
County and Tribal Human Services Offices
Intensive Residential Treatment Services (IRTS)
Mental Health Education & Advocacy
Behavioral Institute for Children and Adolescents
Children’s Home Society and Family Services
Epilepsy Foundation of Minnesota
Minnesota Association for Children’s Mental Health (MACMH)
Open Door Anxiety and Panic Support Groups
Parent Advocacy Coalition for Educational Rights (PACER)
National Organizations: Children & Adult Mental Health
Anxiety Disorders Association of America
Borderline Personality Disorder Resource Center
Center for Mental Health Services