Starting therapy can feel like standing at the edge of something big—hopeful but also completely overwhelming. What do I say? What if I cry? What if I don’t cry? Do I even need therapy, or am I just being dramatic?
If these questions sound familiar, you’re not alone. The first step into therapy is often the hardest—and the most powerful. Here's the truth: you don’t need to have it all figured out. You just need to start.
Why Start Therapy?
You don’t need to be in crisis to start therapy. Maybe you’re feeling stuck, anxious, disconnected, or just… tired. Therapy isn’t just for unraveling pain—it’s also for building understanding, finding direction, and learning how to be gentler with yourself.
It’s not about being broken. It’s about being curious enough to want something more.
"Begin Anywhere"
John Cage once said, “Begin anywhere.” And when it comes to mental health, that advice is gold. You don’t need the perfect words, the perfect timing, or even the perfect therapist right away. You just need to start the conversation—however messy or uncertain it feels.
Here’s what “beginning anywhere” might look like:
Asking a friend if they’ve ever gone to therapy.
Googling local therapists or virtual options.
Booking a free consultation, even if you’re not sure you’ll go.
Writing down how you’ve been feeling lately.
Admitting to yourself: “I think I could use some support.”
What to Expect
Your first session probably won’t feel like a breakthrough. It might feel awkward or emotional or even anticlimactic. That’s okay. It’s the beginning of building something new—trust, insight, tools, and healing.
A good therapist won’t expect you to come in with a perfect story. They’ll meet you where you are. Your job is just to show up and be honest, even if all you can say is, “I don’t know where to start.” That’s a valid place to begin.
Give Yourself Permission
Starting therapy is a brave, vulnerable, and deeply human act. You’re allowed to feel unsure. You’re allowed to try more than one therapist before it feels right. You’re allowed to change your mind. But most of all, you’re allowed to take up that space—to invest in your mental health and emotional wellbeing.
Because you matter.
So if you’re waiting for a sign to start?This is it.
Begin anywhere.
