Saya Des Marais, MSW

Every Fortune teletherapy review features in-depth analyses conducted by reviewers who have first-hand experience in mental health. For this review, we dug into consumer reviews, FTC and BBB claims, and peer-reviewed research studies conducted for each app.

When we commit to getting therapy, we expect results — otherwise, we wonder if therapy is worth it. Standard mental health treatment is usually effective, but it’s not the only option. Complementary and alternative mental health therapy can be used alongside standard treatment, and it’s a great choice for people who don’t see improvement with standard treatment or who simply want more options.

Key takeaways:
Contamination obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a common type of OCD in which obsessions and compulsions revolve around dirtiness and contamination.
People with contamination OCD may fear getting diseases, touching bodily fluids, spreading germs, and more. To deal with these fears, they spend excessive time on rituals or compulsions — such as repeated handwashing or changing clothing.

Most people don’t just want a therapist with experience and qualifications. They also want to genuinely like their therapist. They might describe this as trusting their therapist, feeling a connection with their therapist, or simply “clicking” with their therapist. All of these things describe the same thing: the therapeutic alliance.

Self-harm in teens is on the rise, and unfortunately, it doesn’t seem like it will go away any time soon. It’s terrifying for parents and other caring adults to realize that their teen is engaging in self-harm. It doesn’t help that teens’ self-harm is often misunderstood.
You might feel lost about why they would intentionally hurt themselves or worry that self-harming means that they will attempt suicide. But it’s critical that we, as adults, start to understand why kids sometimes self-harm a...

I have never been more proud of an article than I am of this one. Please read.

If you try one or two forms of antidepressant medication and don’t feel any relief from your symptoms, medical professionals may consider this “treatment-resistant depression.”

Culture plays an important role in every facet of our lives, including substance use. Practicing cultural humility is crucial for effective treatment for everyone.
Culture can be defined as a shared set of beliefs, values, experiences, and more. It affects everyone, no matter who you are or where you live.
Our culture plays a role in how we think, behave, and communicate.
Substance use is no different.

If you live with OCD, your symptoms may begin to affect your identity — including your gender, sexual orientation, moral beliefs, and more.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a complex mental health condition.
Its primary symptoms are obsessions and compulsions. Obsessions are unwanted thoughts, urges, or images that cause fear or anxiety. Compulsions are repetitive behaviors done with the purpose of escaping anxiety caused by obsessions.

Key takeaways:
Overall, using alcohol can harm your self-esteem in many ways.
Although some people experience a temporary rise in feelings of self-esteem while they’re under the influence of alcohol, this effect almost always goes away.
People often get “hangxiety” after a night of drinking or an increase in anxiety as alcohol leaves their system. This can lower self-esteem.

Boys are at least twice as likely to be diagnosed with ADHD. Some reports state that girls are up to 16 times less likely to receive diagnosis and treatment. These numbers don’t mean that girls are less likely to have ADHD, but rather that girls are less likely to receive the correct diagnosis and treatment.

Having an adult child with OCD can be challenging. But there are ways to manage symptoms and strengthen your relationship.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a condition that affects the entire family.
This condition can begin in childhood or adolescence. The International OCD Foundation estimates that around one-third of adults with OCD develop their symptoms during childhood.

Parents of adults with OCD may have been dealing with these symptoms since childhood.

Migraine pain getting in your way? Relaxation techniques can help.

When you live with migraine, it’s critical that you are equipped with effective relaxation techniques. Stress is a common headache trigger for many people with migraine, but there are relaxation techniques for migraine that can help you manage stress and reduce the odds of getting a migraine attack.

One of the oldest, most effective relaxation techniques for migraine is progressive muscle relaxation, or PMR.