Frequently asked questions

The right type of therapy depends on what you're going through, your goals, and how you prefer to work with a therapist. If you're new to therapy, starting with a provider who offers an initial consultation can help you find the best fit together. Some of the most common types of therapy include:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): A structured, goal-oriented approach that helps you identify and change unhelpful thought patterns. It's widely used for anxiety, depression, and stress.
• Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): Builds skills around emotional regulation, mindfulness, and interpersonal effectiveness. Often recommended for intense emotions or relationship difficulties.
• Psychodynamic Therapy: Explores how your past experiences shape your present thoughts and behaviors. Tends to be more exploratory and open-ended.
• EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing): A specialized approach used primarily for trauma and PTSD.
• Couples or Family Therapy: Focuses on improving communication and resolving conflict within relationships.

On Headway, you can filter providers by specialty and therapy style so you can find someone whose approach matches what you're looking for.

Online therapy works just like in-person therapy — sessions happen over secure video calls instead of face-to-face in an office, and research consistently shows it produces comparable outcomes for anxiety, depression, trauma, and more. You can attend sessions from wherever you're most comfortable, and many people find it easier to open up in a familiar environment.

The cost is generally the same — what matters most is whether your therapist is in-network with your insurance. When you see a therapist through Headway who accepts your insurance, you pay your regular copay or coinsurance regardless of whether the session is online or in-person. Many people pay between $20 and $50 per session with insurance coverage.

Headway is designed specifically to help you find a licensed therapist who accepts your insurance in your area. You can search by location, specialty, therapy style, and availability. Every provider on Headway is licensed and credentialed, and you can read their profile to learn about their approach before booking.

Headway is a therapist matching service and mental health provider directory that connects you with licensed therapists and psychiatrists who accept your insurance — so cost doesn't stand between you and the care you deserve. We handle the insurance complexity so you can focus on finding the right provider.

Headway is a good fit if you're looking for a licensed therapist or psychiatrist and want to use your health insurance to reduce the cost of care. We work with major insurance carriers and have thousands of providers nationwide. If you're in a mental health crisis, please reach out to the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988.

Getting started is simple. Enter your insurance information and preferences into our search tool and we'll show you therapists who accept your insurance and match your needs. Once you find someone you'd like to work with, you can request an appointment directly through their profile.

Yes. On Headway, you can filter providers by the issues they specialize in, such as anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship difficulties, ADHD, grief, and more. You can also filter by therapy style, age groups served, and whether you prefer online or in-person sessions.

A standard therapy session is typically 45–55 minutes. The amount you pay per session depends on your insurance plan — specifically your copay or coinsurance for mental health services. Most people using insurance on Headway pay between $20 and $50 per session. You can enter your insurance details in our search tool to get an estimated cost before booking.

Absolutely. Finding the right therapist is a personal process, and it's completely normal to try a few before finding the best fit. You can search for a new provider on Headway at any time and book with someone new without any penalty.

Yes. Therapy sessions are confidential and protected under HIPAA. Therapists are legally and ethically required to keep your information private. There are limited exceptions — such as if there is an imminent risk of harm to yourself or others — but your therapist will discuss these with you during your first session.