You know you probably need to talk to someone. You just don't know where to start, what to say, or what to expect. That's okay.
Deciding to try therapy is one thing. Actually starting is another. There's a gap between knowing you need help and sitting in that chair for the first time, and it's full of questions that feel too stupid to ask.
What do I even say? Do I just walk in and start talking about my childhood? What if I cry? What if I don't cry and they think I'm fine? What if the therapist judges me? What if I pick the wrong type of therapy? What if it doesn't work and I've wasted money I don't have?
These aren't irrational fears. Therapy is vulnerable. You're about to tell a stranger things you haven't told anyone. The process is opaque from the outside, and nobody really prepares you for what it's actually like.
ILTY can't replace that first session. But it can help you get there. Explore what's going on, practice putting it into words, understand what different types of therapy involve, and walk in with a little less anxiety.
You don't need a clinical diagnosis to start. Talk through what's bothering you, what you want to change, and what 'better' looks like for you.
The hardest part is often putting it into words. Practice describing what you're experiencing so you're not starting from scratch in your first session.
CBT, DBT, psychodynamic, EMDR—the alphabet soup of therapy can be overwhelming. ILTY can help you understand the basics so you can make an informed choice.
Know what to expect: intake questions, paperwork, the awkward silence, the fact that you won't solve everything in one hour. Preparation reduces anxiety.
Therapy isn't a magic fix and the first session often feels strange. Understanding that this is normal helps you stick with it past the initial discomfort.
It's ironic—you need help with anxiety, and starting therapy gives you more anxiety. ILTY helps you work through the fear of starting so you actually start.
We want to be clear about our limitations:
There's no threshold you need to meet. If something is affecting your daily life, your relationships, your sleep, or your ability to enjoy things—that's enough. You don't need to be in crisis to deserve support. Therapy is for anyone who wants to understand themselves better or handle life more effectively.
ILTY is designed to help you get to therapy, not avoid it. If you're dealing with something that's significantly affecting your life, a trained therapist will help in ways AI cannot. That said, if therapy truly isn't accessible right now, ILTY is better than nothing.
That happens more often than you'd think, and it's not a failure. Not every therapist is the right fit. If something feels off after a few sessions, it's okay to try someone else. ILTY can help you process what didn't work and what to look for next time.
A comprehensive guide to getting started
Insights that make therapy less intimidating
Understanding the most common therapy types
Compare AI support and online therapy
Support during the waitlist period
ILTY is free during beta. Start a conversation and see if it helps with what you're going through.