Live and Work Well: Explore Therapy

Explore Therapy

Learn about the different types of therapists, what you can expect from therapy, and how you can get started.

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Your journey through therapy

Here’s a closer look at how your counseling benefit works and what you can expect from your visits.

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Your journey through therapy | 1:48

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On-screen text: [Your journey through therapy] On-screen text: [Dr. Yusra Benhalim Behavioral Health Specialist] Dr. Yusra Benhalim: Think of therapy as a journey. Feeling better is the goal but you might not know the best path to take. Your counselor or therapist can be your guide and help you navigate to a place where you feel better. On-screen text: [Your therapist is your guide] Narrator: It may be hard at first to learn how and when to open up. Let's face it, most of us aren't used to having personal conversations with the person we've just met. Your therapist won't push you to talk about something before you are ready. They will ask questions about what's important to you. On-screen text: [No-cost visits] Your first step may be utilizing your no-cost face-to-face visits either in person or virtually through your Employee Assistance Program. On-screen text: [Mental health coverage] Keep in mind, you may be able to continue working with your counselor or therapist after the no-cost visits are up through your behavioral health coverage provided by your medical plan. On-screen text: [Good therapists are great listeners] Good therapists are great listeners. When you share how you're feeling and why, your therapist can be a better guide. Over time, you and your therapist should start to feel more comfortable. If you feel your provider is not the right fit for you, contact your Employee Assistance Program for guidance. On-screen text: [You decide when to finish therapy] You and your provider will work together to talk about your progress and the right path forward. The decision to end therapy is different for everybody. On-screen text: [Dr. Yusra Benhalim Behavioral Health Specialist] Dr. Yusra Benhalim: Your therapist is there to guide you on this journey. So, make sure they know how you're feeling about things, including when your time in therapy is coming to an end. The goal is to help you feel better now and also have a better outlook for your future. When you get to that place, you are more prepared to navigate your journey going forward. Disclaimers: This program should not be used for emergency or urgent care needs. In an emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. This program is not a substitute for a doctor’s or professional’s care. Consult with your clinician for specific health care needs, treatment or medication. Due to the potential for a conflict of interest, legal consultation will not be provided on issues that may involve legal action against Optum or its affiliates, or any entity through which the caller is receiving these services directly or © 2021 Optum, Inc. All rights reserved 2 indirectly (e.g., employer or health plan). This program and its components may not be available in all states or for all group sizes and is subject to change. Coverage exclusions and limitations may apply.

Welcome

Talking to a professional can be a lifeline. The good news is you have options.

As part of your Employee Assistance Program (EAP), you may be eligible for sessions with a counselor at no cost. Or you can talk with a professional right now by phone.

You can learn more about these options at your EAP benefits page.

Dr. Yusra Benhalim
Psychiatrist

Understanding therapy

Learn how to find the right therapist, get a preview of what to expect from therapy, and find out how you can support a child or teen in therapy.

Finding a therapist

Learn about different types of professionals who provide counseling.

What to expect

Get tips for preparing for your first counseling session.

Kids and teens

Discover ways to support a young person considering therapy.

How to find a therapist

Finding the right therapist can take some time. But there are ways to make the process easier. Learn how in this video.

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How to find a therapist | 2:03

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On-screen text: [How to find a therapist] Hi. I’m Dr. Yusra. It's wonderful that you're taking the first step toward finding help through therapy. Finding the right person for you to talk to might not be easy, but it is worth it. On-screen text: [Dr. Yusra Benhalim Behavioral Health Specialist] You may be wondering what type of provider is right for you. On-screen text: [Social worker? Psychiatrist? Psychologist? Therapist? Counselor? LMFT?] Most people just need to talk to a trained, credentialed therapist. You can use our provider directory to find an innetwork therapist. You might also see them labeled as LMFT, Social Worker, Psychologist, NP, LPC. Finding an EAP Counselor or in-network therapist helps limit your out-of-pocket costs. On-screen text: [Therapist] The directory has filters so you can search by specialty such as language or other preferences. As you explore your options, you can check availability either online or by phone — have your insurance card or EAP authorization with you. On-screen text: [Things to find out] Because more people are looking for help these days, some therapists aren’t taking new patients and others might have longer wait times. If the therapist’s office tells you there’s a long wait until their next appointment, see if they will call you if they can add you to their cancellations list. On-screen text: [Questions to ask Are you taking new patients? Do you have availability? Can you add me to your cancellations list?] If you prefer online appointments, ask the office if they do virtual visits. On-screen text: [Do you offer virtual visits?] And if you decide to seek counselling from a provider who is not part of your Employee Assistance Program or if you choose an out-of-network therapist, make sure you review your benefit coverage for any upfront cost or other fees you may be billed later. It’s important to feel comfortable with your therapist. Be honest and open with how you are feeling and be patient with yourself during this process. Thank you and good luck with your search. It might take some time and energy, but if it leads you to the right therapist, it is well worth it. On-screen text: [Dr. Yusra Benhalim Behavioral Health Specialist] Disclaimers: This program should not be used for emergency or urgent care needs. In an emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. This program is not a substitute for a doctor’s or professional’s care. Consult with your clinician for specific health care needs, treatment or medication. Due to the potential for a conflict of interest, legal consultation will not be provided on issues that may involve legal action against Optum or its affiliates, or any entity through which the caller is receiving these services directly or indirectly (e.g., employer or health plan). This program and its components may not be available in all states or for all group sizes and is subject to change. Coverage exclusions and limitations may apply. 

Types of care

Knowing you need to look for help is a great first step. Finding the right person can be a challenge, but you have options.

Check out a video on finding a therapist, and learn about care options you have with the grid below.

Dr. Yusra Benhalim
Psychiatrist

Below is an overview of ways you and those you care about can get support.

24/7 phone support

Available for immediate family who are 18+ and household members

On demand

Medications not offered

Included as part of your Employee Assistance Program

Offered by: Trained Masters-level specialists who can provide in-the-moment support and connect you to available resources.

Connect with phone support

Short-term counseling

Included as part of your Employee Assistance Program

Short wait time

Medications not offered

No cost when covered by your Employee Assistance Program

Offered by: licensed clinical social workers (LCSW), licensed mental health counselors (LMHC), and licensed professional counselors (LPC).

Learn more about your counselling benefit

Long-term therapy

Availability depends on your medical/behavioral benefits

Longer wait time

Medications may be available

Cost depends on your medical/behavioral benefits

Offered by: Licensed clinical social workers (LCSW), licensed mental health counselors (LMHC), licensed professional counselors (LPC), psychologists and psychiatrists.

This summary can help you understand the types of mental health professionals.

Therapist

Shorter wait times

Cannot prescribe medications

Lowest average cost

Includes licensed clinical social worker (LCSW), licensed mental health counselor (LMHC), marriage and family therapists (LMFT) or licensed professional counselor (LPC)

Find a Therapist

Psychologist

Longer wait times

Cannot prescribe medications*

Higher average cost

Doctoral degree in psychology (PhD)

*In most states only a psychiatrist or psychiatric nurse practitioner can prescribe medications.

Find a Psychologist

Psychiatrist

Longest wait times

Can prescribe medications

Highest average cost

Medical degree with specialized training in mental health (MD)

Find a Psychiatrist

Connecting with a counselor

Here are some questions you might want to ask before starting with a new therapist or counselor.

Is the counselor taking new patients?
When is the next available appointment? Can you be notified if an appointment opens up from a cancellation?
Do they offer virtual visits and how does that work?
Does the therapist take your insurance (often referred to as being in network)? What would be the copay, if any?
Do they have a primary area of expertise?
If you’re looking for a therapist for a child or teen, ask if the provider has experience working with that age group.

Note: To use your no-cost visits from your EAP, search for a provider in our provider directory. When you see your results, select the filter option that says, “EAP services.” For tips on making the most of the directory, watch this video.

What to expect with therapy

Check out this video that takes the mystery out of that first appointment.

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What to expect with therapy | 1:19

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On-screen text: [What to expect with therapy] You're taking a big step with starting therapy. Many find it can make all the difference in helping them cope and feel better. The truth is, just by going to your first session, you're taking the most important step. On-screen text: [Dr. Yusra Benhalim Behavioral Health Specialist] It's okay to feel nervous or not know what to say. Just remember, this is a process. Your provider's there to guide you. While you may feel like you're doing most of the talking, this is the best way for your therapist to get to know you and better understand what you're feeling. On-screen text: [Expect to talk about why you're there and your goals] It might feel awkward to talk about personal issues or concerns. Just take your time and be honest. On-screen text: [It might feel awkward if you're new to therapy] Feel free to ask your therapist about how they work and what you should expect. On-screen text: [Feel free to ask questions] Some people experience a flood of emotion from their first session. Others don't feel much of anything and may feel let down by it. Your therapist might give you some things to do or think about between sessions. They may suggest things like journaling to jot down your thoughts and feelings. Don't give up. Therapy is a process, and when results do come, it's worth the effort. Good luck with your first session and your journey through therapy. On-screen text: [Dr. Yusra Benhalim Behavioral Health Specialist] Disclaimers: This program should not be used for emergency or urgent care needs. In an emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. This program is not a substitute for a doctor’s or professional’s care. Consult with your clinician for specific health care needs, treatment or medication. Due to the potential for a conflict of interest, legal consultation will not be provided on issues that may involve legal action against Optum or its affiliates, or any entity through which the caller is receiving these services directly or indirectly (e.g., employer or health plan). This program and its components may not be available in all states or for all group sizes and is subject to change. Coverage exclusions and limitations may apply. 

What to expect

Once you’ve decided to talk to someone, it’s good to think about what you’d like to get out of therapy. Knowing and talking about your goals early-on will help your therapist focus on the things that matter most to you.

This checklist can help you prepare for your visits.

Dr. Yusra Benhalim
Psychiatrist

What to do outside of therapy

If there’s a long wait before an appointment or you want ideas for actions to take
between appointments, check out these resources.

Take this course on mindfulness

Learn ways to add mindfulness to your day, and how it can help you feel more centered and less stressed.

Start now

Check out resources for reducing anxiety

You’ll find a variety of guides, articles, videos and self-help tools.

Go to anxiety center

Kids and teens in therapy

Trying to get help for a child or a teenager isn’t easy. But it can make a real difference for your child.

Support from a credentialed therapist can give a young person the opportunity to build coping skills and lead a healthy life.

Contact your Employee Assistance Program to learn about counseling for kids and teens.

Dr. Yusra Benhalim
Psychiatrist

What can you do as a caregiver?

Start by listening

Maybe the most important skill for a parent or caregiver of a child or teen who might be facing a mental health issue is to listen. While you might be tempted to respond quickly with guidance or instruction, simply making them feel heard can be even more important.

With a younger child:

Listen to the language: notice what words they use to describe how they feel and use those same words when talking with them.

Look for clues: watch what a young child is doing when they talk, what is their non-verbal language telling you? Look for sudden changes. If your child seems to be now avoiding eye contact with you, or isn’t as comfortable being physically close to you, or if they seem to be more fidgety and more restless than they used to be, these could be signs there may be an issue.

Slow it down: sometimes young children need time to find the right words. Get comfortable with pausing and creating a safe space for them to share.

With a teenager:

Follow their lead: let them drive the conversation. They will talk about things when they feel ready. But it’s important to give them chances to help get the conversation started.

Embrace the pause: getting a teen to talk freely is challenging. Get comfortable going at their pace.

Learn as you go: listen for what they identify as important to them. Be curious to learn more about those things and ask open ended questions when it feels right.

Talk about therapy

How do you feel about the idea of therapy? How does your child or teen feel about it?

If one of you is feeling unsure about therapy, a good starting point might be to talk about what therapy is – and how it can be helpful.

Help set them up for success

If they do choose therapy, think about what you and your child hope to get from the experience. When you can express your goals, it will help your therapist focus on areas that are important to you. This might include:

Connecting better with others
Developing better coping skills
Finding more hope

Stay informed, stay engaged

You or your child might have reservations about starting therapy. Some parents feel they must have done something wrong to get to this point. That’s usually not the case. The important thing is to focus on helping your child get better.

Get tools for supporting your child with the Family Support Navigator
Learn more about psychotherapy for children and teens.

Watch this What to Expect video together or separately

Making the most of your benefits | 2:34

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On-screen text: [Making the most of your benefits] Are you or a family member feeling stressed, anxious or overwhelmed? Did you know you have benefits available that can help manage work-life balance and concerns such as anxiety, stress, depression and substance use? On liveandworkwell.com, you'll have access to your Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and Behavioral Health Benefits, along with tools and resources to start you on the right path to care for you and your loved ones. On-screen text: [Mental health treatment Autism services Alcohol and substance use support] Your behavioral health benefits include mental health treatment, such as long- and short-term counseling, autism services, alcohol and substance use support and treatment, plus so much more. On-screen text: [24/7 phone support] Our EAP Experienced Consultants are here to support you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We are here to help you with in the moment care or connect you to longer term solutions. When you call, you’ll talk to a Master’s-Level emotional support professional who will listen to you and help address your concerns. On-screen text: [EAP resources Parenting Eldercare Loss of pets Financial uncertainty Estate planning] They can also connect you to tips and tools on topics such as parenting teens, aging family members, the loss of a pet, financial uncertainty and estate planning. On-screen text: [Behavioral health Alcohol and substance use support Autism services Variety of therapy options] Or they can connect you to high-quality alcohol and substance use support and treatment or autism services within your Behavioral Health benefit. On-screen text: [Confidential] These calls are confidential. Anything you share will not be shared with your employer. On-screen text: [No-cost visits] If you decide you’d like more support, you can begin a series of no-cost, in-person or virtual sessions with a professional counselor. This is available through your Employee Assistance Program. On-screen text: [You may be able to continue with your counselor In-network] Even if you use all of your no-cost sessions, you may be able to continue seeing the same counselor through your behavioral health benefits. Because most of our in-network EAP counselors are also in your behavioral health provider network. A good way to find the benefits that matter most to you is by going to your homepage and choosing “Explore Care Options.” With this tool, you tell us about what’s happening now and your goals for yourself or a family member, and we’ll suggest programs and services we think might be a good fit for you. Or if you’d like, you can use the provider directory to find a therapist or other type of provider. We want you to find the support, answers and expert care you are looking for. And we'll be here to help guide you along the way.

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Back

Your journey through therapy

Welcome

Understanding therapy

How to find a therapist

Types of care

24/7 phone support

Short-term counseling

Long-term therapy

Therapist

Psychologist

Psychiatrist

Connecting with a counselor

What to expect with therapy

What to expect

What to do outside of therapy

Take this course on mindfulness

Learn ways to add mindfulness to your day, and how it can help you feel more centered and less stressed.

Check out resources for reducing anxiety

You’ll find a variety of guides, articles, videos and self-help tools.

Kids and teens in therapy

What can you do as a caregiver?

Start by listening

With a younger child:

With a teenager:

Talk about therapy

Help set them up for success

Stay informed, stay engaged

Resources

About

Member info

Get technical support