Top 10 Things to Know Before Starting Therapy: A Guide for Teens and Young Adults in Colorado

Read Time: 13 minutes

First off, welcome.

Yes, seriously, welcome. I’m glad you’re here. Whether you clicked this article in the middle of a midnight doom scroll, after a tough conversation with your parents, or simply because you’re curious, know this: it’s a big, brave deal to start considering therapy. The weight you’ve been carrying, whether it’s stress, sadness, shame, confusion, or just all of the above, is heavy. Even thinking about setting that weight down for a minute with the help of a therapist is a powerful first step.

If you’re a teen or young adult, you most likely have a lot going on; school stress, social media chaos, identity exploration, relationship struggles, not to mention the pressure to “figure your life out.” This all makes it even harder to take the time to try and “work on yourself.” At Interfaith Bridge Counseling, we want your therapy experience to be as authentic as possible. That means we’re going to be as honest as possible.

So, without further ado, here are ten things you need to know before starting therapy.

1. Things Might Feel Worse Before They Feel Better

Yes, I’m starting with the tough stuff. Because the truth is, therapy isn’t always sunshine and self-affirmations. Sometimes, bringing up all the thoughts and feelings you’ve been avoiding can feel… intense. Like poking a bruise (or maybe even a fresh wound). You’ll begin to recognize your feelings and behaviors, and uncover past traumas that you may have tucked away. This, of course, will make things feel heavier at first. But here’s the thing. That discomfort means you’re doing the work. You’re starting to untangle the mental and emotional knots that make you feel “stuck.” Just know that the more you feel and communicate with your therapist, the more they can help.

2. Trust That Your Therapist Has a Method to Their Madness

You might find yourself wondering, “Why is my therapist asking me how I feel about everything? Why are they just looking at me? What’s with this awkward as f#$! silence?! ” Believe me, everything you’re doing and feeling (and not doing and not feeling) is helping us learn more about you. 

What I’m saying is: it’s normal to question the process. But behind every cringy silence (which is so important) there’s a method–one that’s grounded in years of training, science, and experience. Even the things that seem small or unimportant in a session can give me valuable insight into who you are and how I can best support you.

Note: We’re here for all your questions! You should never be afraid to ask your therapist things like, “Why are you asking XYZ?” “You’ve lost me. Why are we on this topic?” etc.

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Psst...by the way…

WE’RE HERE FOR ALL YOUR QUESTIONS ABOUT THERAPY

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3. Your First Therapist Might Not Be “The One”

Here’s the truth: just like dating, not every therapist is going to be a perfect match. And that’s fine! If you don’t feel seen, heard, or understood after a few sessions, it’s absolutely okay to switch. You’re not being “too much,” and you’re not hurting anyone’s feelings. Any good therapist will support you in finding someone who fits your vibe and needs better. We may even have a referral for you!

4. Change Doesn’t Happen Overnight

Unfortunately, you will not walk out of (or click out of) your first therapy session with all of life’s problems solved. Therapy, like many other things in life, takes practice. You’re building emotional muscles, gaining awareness, and developing tools to handle life’s hurdles. That takes time. You’ll have to be patient with the process and with yourself (and yes, I know that’s hard.)

5. Sometimes, Therapy Sucks

Shocker, right? But really, it’s important to know. Therapy can sometimes suck. There will be days that you will dread going to therapy. There will be days when you’ll feel completely depleted after a session, and maybe even experience a therapy hangover (aka headaches, stomach cramps, brain fog, fatigue etc.). It won’t be easy. But know that this all means you’re putting in the effort.

6. Not Every Session Will Feel Like a Breakthrough

There won’t be an “aha!” moment every week. Some sessions will feel like rambling, others might end with you wondering what you even accomplished. That’s normal. Think of therapy like going to the gym for your brain and emotions. You’re not going to beat your personal record every time you show up, but showing up still builds strength.

7. You Don’t Have to Be “Broken” to Go to Therapy

Let’s clear something up right now: you don’t need to be “falling apart” to benefit from therapy. You don’t need a diagnosis, a rock-bottom moment, or a major life crisis. Therapy is just as powerful for learning how to handle stress, understand yourself better, improve relationships, or simply grow into the most grounded, resilient version of yourself. Therapy is for thriving, not just surviving.

8. There’s No Such Thing as TMI

Worried you’ll say something “too much”? You won’t. I’ve heard it all, trust me. Your darkest thoughts, weirdest fears, cringiest moments? This is exactly the place to talk about them. The more open and honest you are, the better I can support you. And if you’re unsure how to open up, don’t stress. Any good therapist will meet you where you are, and go at your pace.

(Oh, and yes, you can ask us questions, too. About therapy, mental health, or even “Why do therapists always have so many throw pillows?” We're here for that.)

9. You Will Have to Talk About the Hard Stuff (Eventually)

Speaking of “too much information”, here’s the thing. You are going to have to talk about things that are really difficult to talk about. You are going to have to talk about family. You are going to have to talk about traumatic past experiences. We need to do this to learn more about you, your experiences, and your thoughts and behaviors. BUT, you will never be pressured to do so. A good therapist will support you when you’re ready. 

10. Therapy Is for You Now, and for Your Future

Yes, you may be seeking therapy now because of a big life change, an identity crisis, or a recent, bad breakup. And we’re here for you now, to deal with current events that you’re struggling with. But therapy is also here to help ensure a healthier future for you. As a therapist, I’m here to help you build a foundation for the future, AKA more self-trust, better communication, emotional balance, and confidence to handle the next curveball life throws at you. 

Therapy is an investment in future you, and future you is going to be so glad you started.

You’re Not Alone: Therapy for Teens & Young Adults Throughout Colorado

If you’re reading this from somewhere in Colorado, we want you to know this: you’re not alone. Whether you’re in Denver, Boulder, Fort Collins, or somewhere in the mountains, there are therapists (like us!) who specialize in working with teens and young adults just like you.

You don’t have to have it all figured out to get started. You don’t have to explain your entire life in the first session. You don’t even have to be sure therapy is what you want. You just have to be willing to show up. We’ll take it from there.

If you’re ready to get started (or just want to ask a few questions first), reach out. We’d love to be part of your journey.

Until next time,

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About Our Author | Lena McCain MA, LPC. 0017723

Lena McCain is our Founder here at Interfaith Bridge Counseling, where she continues her support as our Clinical Director. She also holds a Master of Arts degree in Clinical Mental Health: Mindfulness-Based Transpersonal Counseling Psychology from Naropa University.

Lena’s drive and passions lie in the realm of community building and youth collaboration, which she has spent the last 12 years studying with an emphasis on one’s exploration of personal growth, community healing, and multicultural values. Lena’s expertise in these areas and the therapeutic field acts as a reminder to our community, teens, and young adults that they are not alone in their experience of life.