This online screening is not a diagnostic tool. Only a trained medical professional, such as a doctor or mental health professional, can help you determine the next best steps for you.

Psychotherapy, or talk therapy, is a common treatment for a number of mental health conditions, but it can also help with day-to-day challenges and concerns.

People seek therapy for many reasons — from needing help dealing with a mental health condition to just needing someone to talk with.

Therapy can be one-on-one, in a group setting, or done as a family. If face-to-face therapy isn’t the best option for you, there are options for online therapy.

There are many therapeutic approaches depending on your unique needs. A few common psychotherapy approaches include:

Finding the right therapist can be crucial to your decision on whether therapy is the best option for you and your needs. It can take some time but it will be worth it.

If you’re considering therapy but not sure where to start, you can check out Psych Central’s hub for finding mental health support.

This brief, time-saving questionnaire is designed for anyone who thinks they may benefit from therapy.

Anyone can attend therapy to improve or work through any concerns — from improving relationships at home to getting tools to improve focus and concentration.

This test consists of 12 questions that relate to how you’ve felt and behaved during the past month. For each question, try to respond as honestly as possible to get an accurate assessment.

Your responses will help determine whether you may need additional help and professional support for a concerning life issue.

A mental health professional can also help figure out if your issues might be a symptom of a mental health condition and recommend treatment if needed.

This online screening is not a definitive tool. It will not conclusively guarantee that you will benefit from therapy.

But it can be useful if you’re thinking about therapy and want to determine whether therapy is the right option for you.

Only a trained medical professional, such as a doctor or mental health professional, can help you determine the next best steps for you.

How do you know if you should talk with a therapist?

Reasons to speak with a therapist can vary from person to person. You may consider seeking professional support if you:

  • experienced a traumatic life event
  • have difficulty coping with a recent loss, such as the death of a loved one or relocating to a new home
  • notice signs and symptoms of a mental illness
  • have received a mental health diagnosis
  • experience difficulty concentrating or completing day-to-day tasks
  • notice changes in your eating and sleeping habits
  • feel stressed or overwhelmed

This isn’t an extensive list of reasons to seek a mental health professional. If you believe you’d benefit from speaking with a mental health professional Psych Central’s resource page can help you get started.

How often should you go to therapy?

It’s common for therapists to recommend one session per week, and sessions may gradually reduce to once every other week once you feel comfortable.

But the cadence of going to therapy is unique for each person, depending on their needs. When you speak with a therapist they can help you determine how often sessions should be scheduled based on your goals.

How much does therapy cost?

The average cost of therapy in the United States can range from around $60 to over $200 per session. But cost-effective options are available to help you access affordable mental health care.

For more information on accessing affordable therapy services, consider visiting Psych Central’s mental health options page. You may also consider the tips provided on our therapy resource page.

Do I need counseling or therapy?

Therapists and counselors offer many of the same services, but each must meet different educational and licensing requirements. If you’re seeking care for a mental health condition, therapy may be a better option. Counseling may be better if you’re seeking support for managing stressful situations.

Therapy provides long-term solutions that can help you cope with unwanted thoughts and feelings that may affect your day-to-day functioning. You may experience these unwanted thoughts and feelings due to a past experience or traumatic event.