Headquarters Mental Wellness

Overview

What is therapy & counseling?

Therapy and counseling are conversation-based forms of mental health care provided by licensed professionals. Whether you're navigating a specific challenge — anxiety, a hard relationship, grief, a major life transition — or looking for ongoing support to grow and self-understand, therapy gives you a confidential space to do that work alongside someone trained to help.

Therapists use different approaches depending on their training and what fits you best. Some focus on talking through patterns from your past. Others teach concrete skills you can use day to day. Many blend both. The "right" therapist isn't always the most credentialed one — it's the one who feels like a good fit for how you think, what you need, and how you want to work.

In Michigan, therapists hold one of several licenses (LPC, LMSW, LLPC, LLMSW, PsyD, PhD, LMFT) — each with similar scope but different training paths. All are qualified to provide therapy. Credentials matter, but so does fit.

Approaches

Within this category

Individual Therapy

One-on-one sessions focused on you. The most common entry point into therapy, typically meeting weekly or biweekly. Session length varies by provider.

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Couples Therapy

Both partners attend together. Useful for navigating conflict, rebuilding connection, or making decisions about the future of the relationship. You don't have to be in crisis to benefit — many couples use it proactively.

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Group Therapy

Small groups (usually 5-10) led by a therapist. Powerful for issues that benefit from shared experience — grief, social anxiety, eating disorders, substance recovery. Often more affordable than individual therapy.

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Family Therapy

Multiple family members work with a therapist together. Used when family dynamics themselves are part of what needs attention — parent-child conflict, blended family adjustment, family illness or loss.

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Child Teen Therapy

Therapy designed specifically for kids and adolescents — play-based for younger children, more conversational for teens. Helps with anxiety, behavior, family transitions, school stress, identity, and trauma. Many providers also work with parents alongside the child.

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Trauma Therapy Emdr

Specialized approaches for processing past traumatic experiences — EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), trauma-focused CBT, Internal Family Systems, and similar evidence-based methods. Useful for single-incident trauma, complex/relational trauma, or PTSD.

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Postpartum Perinatal Therapy

Mental health support during pregnancy and the first year after birth. Addresses postpartum depression, anxiety, birth trauma, identity shifts, and the unique stresses of new parenthood. Some providers specialize in pregnancy loss and infertility too.

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Premarital Counseling

Short-term, structured counseling for couples preparing to marry or partner long-term. Focuses on communication patterns, money, family of origin, expectations, and conflict resolution before they become entrenched issues.

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Faith Based Counseling

Therapy that incorporates the client's religious or spiritual beliefs into the work. Available across many traditions — Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, and more. Provider credentials vary; some are licensed therapists with faith integration, others are pastoral counselors.

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Lgbtq Affirming Therapy

Therapy with a provider trained in and explicitly affirming of LGBTQ+ identities and experiences. Covers identity exploration, coming out, relationships, family dynamics, gender-affirming care navigation, and the broader stresses of being part of an underrepresented community.

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Other Therapy

Other therapeutic approaches not listed above — integrative, specialty modalities, or unique combinations of training and focus.

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Common Questions

Things people ask

What's the difference between a therapist and a counselor?

Less than you might think. Both are trained mental health professionals who provide talk therapy. The terms are largely interchangeable in everyday use, though specific licenses (LPC = Licensed Professional Counselor; LMSW = Licensed Master Social Worker, etc.) come with their own training requirements. What matters more than the title is whether they're the right fit for you.

How do I know if I need therapy?

You don't have to be in crisis to benefit from therapy. People go for all kinds of reasons — to work through a specific problem, to build self-understanding, to process big life changes, or just because they want a thoughtful sounding board. A useful rule: if a thought or feeling keeps coming back and you don't know what to do with it, that's enough reason.

How long does therapy usually last?

It varies enormously. Some people see a therapist for a few months around a specific challenge and move on. Others stay for years. There's no right length — the work is done when it feels done. The goal isn't to be in therapy forever. It's to get what you came for.

What if I don't click with my therapist?

Try a different one. Fit matters more than credentials, and not every therapist is the right match for every person. Most therapists expect this — it's not a failure on either side. A good first session ends with you feeling heard and curious to come back. If that's not there, keep looking.

Will my insurance cover this?

Sometimes. In-network coverage varies widely by plan and provider. Many therapists are out-of-network, which means you pay upfront and may receive partial reimbursement via a superbill submitted to your insurance. Always ask both your insurance and your therapist what to expect before your first session.

What's the difference between a therapist and a psychiatrist?

Psychiatrists are medical doctors who can prescribe medication. Therapists generally cannot. Many people see both — a psychiatrist for medication management and a therapist for the talk-therapy work. They often coordinate care, and having both on your team can make a real difference.