Therapy, also known as counselling or psychotherapy, is a collaborative process between a therapist and a client aimed at improving mental health and well-being. It involves talking about thoughts, feelings, behaviours, and experiences to gain insight, develop coping skills, and make positive changes.

Therapy can be beneficial for various reasons, including managing symptoms of mental health conditions (such as depression or anxiety), coping with difficult life events or transitions, improving relationships, increasing self-awareness and self-esteem, and enhancing overall quality of life.

There's no definitive answer to this question, as it depends on each individual's circumstances and needs. However, you might consider therapy if you're experiencing persistent distress, difficulty functioning in daily life, relationship problems, significant life changes, or if you simply want to explore personal growth and self-improvement.

Finding the right therapist involves considering factors such as your unique needs and goals for therapy. The therapist's qualifications, experience, therapeutic approach, and personality fit. Understanding if the chosen therapist has supported client's overcome similar difficulties to you. You can start by asking for recommendations from trusted sources, searching online therapist directories, or contacting your insurance provider for a list of covered providers.

Each 1-1 therapy session will last for 50-60 minutes long. The duration of how long you are in therapy varies depending on each individual's needs and goals. Some people may only need a few sessions to address a specific issue, while others may benefit from longer-term therapy to work through deeper-rooted issues or to maintain ongoing support.

Yes, therapy is confidential, meaning that what you discuss with your therapist will be kept private. However, there are legal and ethical exceptions to confidentiality, such as if there's a risk of harm to yourself or others, or if there's suspected abuse or neglect of a vulnerable person.

In a therapy session, you can expect to discuss your thoughts, feelings, and experiences in a safe and supportive environment. Your therapist may ask questions, offer insights and perspectives, teach coping skills, and provide guidance to help you towards achieving your goals. Your therapist should be your positive cheerleader helping you to live a healthy fulfilling life.

Therapists need to adhere to and maintain professional boundaries to ensure the therapeutic relationship remains focused on the client's needs during scheduled sessions. Contact between sessions can blur these boundaries. Regular contact between sessions might foster dependency on the therapist, which can hinder the client's ability to develop coping skills and self-reliance. Contact outside of sessions should only be regarding rescheduling or cancelling appointments.

THJ is not a crisis service, If you need mental health support right now, please check out recommended 24/7 helplines and call a support service near you.

If you think your life or someone else’s is at immediate risk, call your local emergency services.