I personally opt to see a therapist before things feel out of control or dire. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with seeing a therapist as a form of “preventative care.” So to me there’s no threshold really of how bad things have to get before it’s “time.”

There’s no shame in treating your brain just as there’s no shame in seeking treatment for any other organ of your body.

All insurance plans are required to cover mental health services under the Affordable Care Act. The question is finding a therapist who is in your insurance provider’s network. Most insurers have a “find a doc” tool on their website where you punch in your plan and geographical location and it lists your options.

Rapport is important for a therapist even moreso than most other doctors you’ll see, so don’t be afraid to have a “consultation’ session and then go elsewhere if you don’t like them.

Good luck.

@Mariah Depression and bipolar run in my family, so seeking therapists is a common thing here. But I’m just scared. I guess I don’t want my parents to worry about me. I’m also still on my dads health insurance, so either way I’d have to discuss it with him.

How should I bring it up?

Part of seeking therapy is realizing you have an issue, so if it truly is an issue you should go.

I’m not sure of your age, but could you not pay for it yourself? (If you do not wish to discuss it with your father). There are some good charities in the UK and therefore I am sure in the USA that offer counseling. Perhaps you could seek private counseling in that way too, to avoid your parents knowing. When I was studying psychology and later on counseling I was told everyone could do with a bit of ‘therapy’ in order to gain insight into ourselves. They say knowing oneself enables you to know others better too.

When you think you need to see a therapist.

When your mind interfers with your day to day functionings.

It’s never too early. It can be too late.

There’s no reason to feel stupid. Tackling your behavior patterns is a brave and worthwhile thing to do.

I understand that you don’t want your parents to worry. Maybe you can explain (or demonstrate) that you’d like to learn more about yourself, and why you do the things you do. Seeking therapy is emotionally healthy. If your parents see this in you, that may be beneficial to them or others around them.

” I guess I don’t want my parents to worry about me.”
That’s how you bring it up, by saying:

“I don’t want you to worry anymore about me, I want to take control of my problems and thus wish to see a therapist to discuss this either together with my parents or by myself..do you understand my need for this’?
Or get another person to be present in this discussion.