Schedule an online therapy session with a skilled therapist today

Because online therapy appointments on Sesame use a video conferencing platform (like Zoom or Facetime), it is recommended that you have a stable internet connection and a private space to conduct the appointment. Even though it takes place on a video call, you will meet with a mental health care provider in real-time. For your privacy, a quiet and secluded space in your home is the best place for this video consultation.

It is generally recommended for all mental health consultations to jot down a few questions or concerns before your appointment. Mental health care providers on Sesame are certified psychiatrists and therapists with the extensive experience needed to help walk you through the consultation. However, it is still encouraged to come up with some questions or thoughts of your own to get the most out of your appointment.

If any other preparation is needed, your provider will contact you to discuss these specifics with you.

You do not need insurance to use Sesame. Sesame offers transparent upfront prices for patients without insurance.

Sesame services are paid directly, separate from health insurance.

If your insurance includes a health savings account (HSA) or flexible spending account (FSA), you can use your funds from these accounts to pay for care on Sesame. Some of these plans include a debit card you can use to pay upfront, and others require you to submit your receipt after your purchase.

If your insurance includes out-of-network coverage and/or a deductible, you may be able to submit your receipt from Sesame for reimbursement. Eligibility is determined by your insurance company and will vary depending on your plan. And you can always use your insurance to pay for medications picked up at your local pharmacy. Our team is here to help you - call us at 1 (877) 947-6411 with any questions.

Therapy, also known as “talk therapy” or psychotherapy," is a holistic treatment to address emotional distress and mental health challenges. Psychiatrists, therapists, and counselors provide therapeutic services in both private and public settings for individuals and groups.

An individual commonly meets with a therapist one-on-one to discuss and address mental and emotional challenges in their life. These challenges can include stress, anxiety, depression, and relationship problems, among many others. The therapist will tailor an individualized treatment plan around the patient’s needs and goals. Therapy usually offers non-pharmaceutical treatment plans, meaning it is unlikely that you will be prescribed medication after your session. Instead, these appointments use cognitive behavioral therapy and other practices to get to the root of a patient’s mental or emotional issues for holistic and sustainable progress.

Therapists are professionals in mental health care, engaging directly with individuals, groups, and institutions to address a spectrum of mental health conditions and disturbances. In an online setting, therapists work directly with individual patients to help manage emotional, behavioral, and relationship challenges or concerns that they are experiencing.

Therapists have the advanced training and clinical experience necessary to treat various conditions and concerns.

These include:
Depression and mood disorders
Anxiety
Eating disorders
Trauma-related disorders (like post-traumatic stress disorder)
Obsessive-compulsive disorder
Substance abuse disorders
Marriage and family therapy
Emotional distress
Self-esteem issues
Relationship difficulties
Stress management
LGBTQ+ identity support
Anger management
Personality disorders
Cultural or spiritual concerns
General counseling

This is not a complete list of all mental health services therapists provide, but it reflects some of the most common concerns a therapist can help address.

To attain licensure, a therapist must hold a minimum of a Master’s degree, possess clinical expertise, and secure certification by successfully completing a nationally recognized examination.

While specific educational and experiential requirements vary from state to state, most states require therapists to, at a minimum, have:

• Obtained a Master’s degree with correlating coursework
  
• Log thousands of hours (usually 1,500-3,000) of supervised clinical practice working directly with patients
  
• Pass a nationally recognized licensing exam (like the National Clinical Mental Health Counselor Exam)
  
  

Every provider on Sesame has a bio that details their education, experience, and expertise. If you want to address a specific issue or seek more general therapeutic treatment, consult these pages to find the right mental health care provider for you.

Counseling psychology (or psychological counseling) is a form of mental health care provided as a general practice or as a specialty clinical health care service. Counseling helps patients deal with specific issues over a period of time. Examples of these types of instances include:

Grief counseling: A patient may see a counseling psychologist who specializes in grief to help cope with the loss of a loved one.

Career counseling: A patient may want to undergo career counseling to work through career goals, stress related to work, or depression about work.

Couples counseling: Couples may seek couples therapy with a licensed professional counselor to talk about issues related to marriage or the improvement of communication in a relationship.

There are a number of different types of counseling that can address individual needs and specific needs of a group. But most counseling sessions center around a specific issue or difficulty. Counseling may be a more short-term relationship, as opposed to long-term therapy.

Conversely, therapists work more with clients managing mental health, behavioral, or personality disorders. Therapists tend to work with clients on a deeper level, addressing psychological and emotional issues, mental health disorders, and facilitating personal growth. They often utilize various therapeutic modalities to help clients explore and process their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Therapists use a broader range of therapeutic techniques and interventions to delve into clients' underlying emotional and psychological issues. They might use psychoanalytic, cognitive-behavioral, humanistic, or other approaches.

In sum, counselors will work with clients to overcome a problem or concern. Therapists will work with clients to address why that concern is occurring in the first place while addressing the underlying causes of behavioral or emotional challenges.

Online therapy consults are video meetings with licensed mental health care providers that address various mental and emotional challenges. Medication prescriptions are entirely at the discretion of your mental health care provider. Medication is usually prescribed to patients managing diagnosed mental health conditions such as major depressive disorder (depression), obsessive-compulsive disorder, and anxiety disorders. Receiving a prescription for medication is contingent on why you are seeking therapy and the appropriate treatment plan as determined by your health care provider.

Additionally, it is important to note that not all mental health care providers can prescribe medication. Licensed therapists, for instance, have the clinical experience to diagnose and treat many mental health problems but do not have the medical degree required to prescribe medication. Psychiatrists can prescribe medication. You should book an online psychiatry appointment if you have been diagnosed with a mental health condition requiring medication.

Therapy appointments offer patients holistic and non-pharmaceutical treatment options like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and talk therapy. These practices aim to facilitate personal growth, improve mental well-being, and enhance the overall quality of life by fostering self-awareness, insight, and coping skills.

Through open and confidential conversations with a trained therapist, individuals can better understand their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and develop strategies to manage and overcome anxiety, depression, stress, relationship conflicts, and more. Ultimately, talk therapy aims to empower individuals to lead healthier and more fulfilling lives by helping them navigate the complexities of their inner world.