Resources
Information to help you understand care and take the next step.
Explore practical guidance about beginning therapy, choosing a clinician and finding urgent support when needed.
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Helpful information
01Preparing for therapy
A few simple ways to make the first appointment feel less uncertain.
Keep these points in mind:
- You do not need to arrive with a diagnosis or perfectly organized story.
- Write down the two or three things you most want help with.
- Bring questions about the therapist’s style, confidentiality, scheduling and insurance.
- Notice what would make therapy feel useful after the first few visits.
02Choosing a therapist
Fit matters. Use the consultation to notice both clinical experience and how the conversation feels.
Keep these points in mind:
- Ask whether the therapist regularly works with concerns like yours.
- Pay attention to whether you feel listened to and able to ask questions.
- Consider practical fit: location, telehealth, availability and insurance.
- It is reasonable to decide that a therapist is not the right match.
03Supporting a loved one
Support works best when it protects the person’s choice and dignity.
Keep these points in mind:
- Listen before trying to solve the problem.
- Offer practical help, such as finding clinicians or making space for appointments.
- Avoid forcing disclosure or demanding that someone “get over it.”
- If you are worried about immediate safety, seek crisis or emergency support.
04Urgent support
If there is immediate danger or a mental-health crisis, use emergency resources rather than this website or contact form.
Keep these points in mind:
- Call 911 for immediate danger or a medical emergency.
- In the United States, call or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
- Do not use the website contact form for urgent or time-sensitive situations.
Educational only
Resources are not a substitute for care
General information can provide context, but it cannot assess your individual circumstances or replace a clinical relationship.
Whenever you are ready
Start with a brief conversation.
A free 15-minute consultation can help you decide whether the practice and therapist fit your needs.