While friends can be wonderful and helpful listeners, they are not professionally trained to assist with mental health concerns. A therapist can help you approach your issues in a new way, without the expectations and biases that inevitably come from talking to someone close to you. The biggest difference is that therapy is completely confidential, so what you say in the therapy room stays in the therapy room. 

Everything starts with a free, 15-minute consultation where I'll ask you about what you want to get out of our sessions, what brings you to treatment, and administrative details. If we are a good fit and decide to work together, the first session is an intake and diagnostic session where I gather details about your history, gain a better understanding of your concerns, and work with you to develop specific goals. After that, we'll meet on a weekly or bi-weekly basis for 50-60 minutes until you've accomplished your goals and feel confident navigating your life on your own terms again. 

It's impossible to say since everyone's circumstances are unique. The length of time you'll be in treatment depends on your specific circumstances, your goals, and how much effort you put toward making the changes we talk about in sessions.

Research shows that the most effective treatment for most conditions is a combination treatment of medication and psychotherapy. Medication alone is not always enough to fix what is going on, so using therapy to unpack your concerns and have a well-trained professional help you explore the problems can help you make more long-lasting changes.