Psychiatry

What to Expect at Your First Therapy Appointment


A therapist takes notes on a laptop during a first therapy appointment intake session

You made the appointment. Now you’re wondering what you got yourself into. That’s normal. Almost everyone feels some version of nervous before a first therapy session. You’re about to sit down with a stranger and talk about personal things. Knowing how the hour actually goes makes it easier. Here’s what happens, start to finish. The…

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Therapist vs Psychologist vs Psychiatrist vs Nurse Practitioner: Who Should You See?


Four office pathways representing different mental health providers

You decide to get help. Then you hit the titles. Therapist, counselor, psychologist, psychiatrist, nurse practitioner. The names sound interchangeable, but they describe different training and different jobs. Picking the wrong starting point can cost weeks. Our practice employs all of them under one roof. This guide explains what each one does and how to…

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Do I Need Medication for Anxiety or Depression? How to Think About It


Alt text: Stethoscope and blood pressure cuff in a mental health consultation office

It is one of the most common questions people quietly ask. Maybe therapy is helping, but not enough. Maybe the anxiety is winning more days than you are. Or someone you trust suggested it, and you are not sure how to feel about that. This guide walks through how to think about the decision. It…

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What Causes OCD? Looking Beyond the Diagnosis.


Collage of notes around the word OCD showing intrusive thoughts, checking, rumination, and repetitive behaviors

Obsessive compulsive disorder is often misunderstood. It is not about being tidy, organized, or particular. OCD involves unwanted, intrusive thoughts that cause significant distress, along with behaviors or mental rituals a person feels driven to perform to relieve that distress. For children, teens, and adults living with it, OCD can take up hours of the…

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The Benefits of Using Insurance for Therapy


The Benefits of Using Insurance for Therapy with Aetna, Independence Blue Cross, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Optum, Medicare, Evernorth, and Geisinger

Our practice has been in network with major insurance plans since the day we opened more than a decade ago. That was a deliberate choice. Our Mission Create a practice with excellent clinicians that provide affordable access to mental health care. Why we chose to accept insurance When we started Cornerstone, we had a choice…

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How to Find a Therapist Who Takes Medicare in Pennsylvania


Older adult speaking with a therapist about mental health care and Medicare coverage.

Most private practices do not take Medicare. Here is how to find a Pennsylvania therapist who does, and what Medicare actually covers.

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Understanding PANS and PANDAS: What Mental Health Symptoms May Be Telling Us


A young boy with a frowning, frustrated expression is sitting indoors

When a child’s anxiety, OCD, or eating changes appear suddenly, PANS or PANDAS may be worth exploring. Learn the signs and when to seek an evaluation.

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How Long Does Therapy Take to Work?


Scrabble tiles spelling out words on a wooden table

How Long Does Therapy Take to Work? What actually happens in your first sessions, and what changes feel like when they start to arrive. Most people don’t call a therapist on their best day. They call when something has been building for weeks, or months, or quietly for years. And somewhere between making that call…

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High-Functioning Anxiety: When Worry Hides Behind Success


Smartphone displaying "Anxiety" on bright pink background.

High-functioning anxiety hides behind achievement in kids, teens, and adults. Learn the signs, why it goes unnoticed, and how therapy helps.

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Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: What It Is, How It Works, and Whether It Might Help You


A woman sitting on the couch talking to an older man.

Cognitive behavioral therapy helps with anxiety, depression, OCD, trauma, and more. Learn how CBT works and find a therapist in Malvern or Wayne PA

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