Therapy 101
Whether the idea came from you, your admin, or someone close to you, therapy can be a tough topic in policing. A lot of officers worry about being judged or not being understood, and that stigma keeps many from ever reaching out. In fact, 90% of officers say stigma has stopped them from seeing a therapist, so even learning about how it works is a big first step. Whether you decide to talk to someone or not, the info below is here to help clear up the unknowns and make the process feel less overwhelming.
But First, Some Basics!
What is Therapy?
Therapy includes individual, couple, family or group sessions with a licensed mental health professional. You pick goals to work on with the help of your therapist to help address what brought you to seek support. Depending on what you are looking for and why you are there, it may be brief (anywhere between 3-6 months) or ongoing.
How it Can Help
Maybe you noticed changes in your mood that are impacting work or your relationships. Maybe you want to learn new ways to cope with stress or talk with those around you. 75-80% of those who actively engage in therapy notice an improvement. Therapy can provide you with the skills to address all of these areas, if you are open to the process.
What Therapy is Not
Therapy is not a "magic fix". Though you will learn new skills to manage stress, improve communication, and process trauma to help reduce symptoms, this does not happen over night. Therapy requires consistent effort and sometimes things may feel a little worse before they get better. Trusting the support and guidance from your therapist and being open can help you reach your goals.
Now that you know the basics, jump to each section to learn more.
Insurance-To Use or Not Use?
Understanding how insurance works for therapy can help you decide what option makes sense for you.
-
When you use insurance to pay for therapy, your therapist must include a mental health diagnosis so the insurance company will cover the sessions.
-
This may sound concerning, but a diagnosis is just a term used for billing and treatment planning—it does not define who you are or your ability to do the job.
-
The diagnosis becomes part of your medical record, which is a protected health file that follows you if you change healthcare providers or insurance plans.
-
Under HIPAA, insurance companies typically receive only basic information, such as the diagnosis code and the dates of your sessions.
-
Your therapy conversations and detailed notes stay private with your therapist.
-
Your department, supervisors, coworkers, and family members cannot access this information without your written permission, even if you use department-issued insurance.
-
Some people choose not to use insurance because they prefer not to have a diagnosis in their medical record.
-
You can pay out of pocket, with many therapists offering sliding-scale fees based on income.
-
Using insurance can make therapy more affordable, while paying privately can offer more privacy and flexibility.
Confidentiality and HIPAA
HIPAA
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) is a federal law that protects your private health information. This includes information about your physical or mental health, the care you receive, and how that care is paid for.
​
Because of HIPAA, your health information cannot be shared with your employer. Even if you use the health insurance provided by your department, the department cannot see how you personally use that coverage.
Employer Access
If you use your department’s health insurance for mental health care, your department cannot see that you went to therapy or what you talked about. Your information is protected by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
Departments may sometimes get general reports from the insurance company that show how the health plan is used overall, but the information does not include names or identify individual officers.
Exceptions to HIPAA
Whenever you access services with a medical or behavioral health professional, they must abide by HIPAA. There are a few exceptions where HIPAA would be broken:
-
A court order was issued where medical records are being subpoenaed
-
You share that you are a danger to yourself, others, or property, and emergency services need to be notified of these concerns. In some cases, others may need to be notified based on the level of dangerousness and potential harm to others.
Click here for an overview of HIPAA, including exceptions to maintaining confidentiality.
Finding a Therapist
Deciding to go to therapy is the first step, and sometimes the hardest. Finding a clinician that you feel comfortable working with is the next part of the process. Here are some tips to help you jumpstart your search.
1
Identify What You Want
There are more options than ever for mental health services. Here are some decisions to make to help guide your search:
-
Using department-provided assistance like an EAP provider or an independent provider you find yourself
-
A therapist whose speciality focuses on first responders and/or trauma or a professional with a varied background​
-
Using or not using insurance (some providers only work with insurance or vice-versa)
2
Be Picky!
Once you decide the type of therapist you are looking for, there are websites with directories to help you find a good fit. Sites like PsychologyToday, or TherapyDen have filters where you can be as selective as you'd like; you can choose your therapist's clinical specialty, years of experience, gender, and location of service (virtual or in-person). You may have to meet with many different therapists before finding who works for you-this is a normal part of the process!
3
Reach Out
Once you find a few therapists you are open to meeting with, contact them! Most are open to scheduling a 10-minute consultation to discuss their availability, professional background, including any experience working with police officers (if this is important to you), and session fees. You can meet with as many professionals as you want; the important thing is that you find someone you are comfortable working with.
Click here to find some ways to find a therapist.
So, You're Starting Therapy-Now What?
Intake with a Clinician
A first therapy session, called an intake, is mostly a conversation where the therapist gets to know you and why you are trying therapy. They’ll ask basic questions about your background, your current concerns, and what you’d like to work on, where you can share as much or as little as you’re comfortable with. There’s no pressure to “perform” or “get anything right”. This is really just about sharing information and making sure you feel comfortable talking to them. By the end, you and the therapist usually discuss next steps and what future sessions might look like.
Follow-Up Sessions
Follow-up therapy sessions are more targeted and build on what you talked about in the intake. You’ll check in on how things have been going, explore any issues you want to work on, and try out tools to help you feel better. The pace is up to you — some sessions are deeper, some are lighter, and some are a mix of the two. All are normal. Over time, these conversations help you understand patterns, make progress, and feel more in control. Just a disclaimer: not all sessions will focus on your feelings, and most therapists won't ask "How does this make you feel?" like many stereotypes would have you believe.
Intake with a Psychiatrist or Prescriber
An intake with a psychiatrist or prescriber is similar to a therapy intake in that it is also a detailed conversation about your symptoms, medical history, and any past mental-health treatment to understand the full picture. They may ask about sleep, mood, stress, substance use, and how your symptoms affect daily life, as well as review any current medications. Unlike therapy, this focuses more heavily on diagnosis and whether medication might help. By the end, they’ll talk through treatment options, and together you'll make a plan for next steps.