- I need you to be patient, because this work,
it's not sexy, it's not fast,
but if you trust the process-- (man sighs loudly)
You have two decades of wiring of behavior
and neuroses and triggers and pathologies all tangled up,
why would that be simple?
(gentle upbeat music)
- It's okay to go if something is wrong, it's okay to go
if nothing is wrong at all.
Hi, I'm Dr. Ali Mattu, clinical psychologist.
If you watch "In Treatment", you get a pretty good sense
of what goes into a therapy session.
- I'm going to help it be okay.
(gentle upbeat music)
- Start with people you know,
and that means talking to a healthcare professional
that you trust,
and see if they have any recommendations for a therapist
in your local area.
- [Woman] So how does this work, two sessions, three?
- Ideally, I like to think of it as a process.
- One of the coolest things happening right now
is there are more ways to access mental health support.
You don't just have to go into a therapist office
and sit on a couch.
You can access a mental health professional
through your phone.
The most important thing is to find something
that feels right to you
and someone with whom you trust.
Finding the right therapist is a little bit like dating.
- That is such a straight lady thing to say.
- You kind of need to put yourself out there,
you need to try and find someone
who you feel comfortable with
and that you feel like you can really get some good work
done together.
- Do you think anyone is straight?
- I don't know, (laughs) probably not.
- But you do think I am, why?
- (laughs) I mean you and me, we're not the same.
I mean you're not, you know.
- Not what?
- In touch with your sexuality.
- And why do you think you can tell me anything
about my sexuality?
- You're right, I can't, sorry.
- We all come from different backgrounds
and our identities are a part of our mental health.
It's critical to find a therapist
who makes you feel comfortable
sharing these different aspects of your identity.
- And now you know a little about me, and I know a little
about you.
(gentle upbeat music)
I don't feel like I'm getting the full picture
from you, Laila.
Glimpses here and there, yes.
But the moment things start to come into focus,
it's like (exhales air), it's gone.
- You have to meet people where they're at.
And if someone doesn't want to be in my office,
I'll often say "let's make sure this time
"isn't a complete waste for you or for me".
- You know, you don't have to be here, right Laila?
You're 18, nobody can force you into this.
- I can't be myself because try as you might,
despite your best, very most,
your professional of intentions, you are judging me.
- Therapists are not trying to judge you,
they are trying to understand you.
(gentle upbeat music)
It is never too late to get help.
- How far back you wanna go?
- It's up to you, where you wanna start?
- How much time do you got?
- You let me worry about the time.
- Everyone, no matter who you are
or where you are in your life,
has a capacity to grow,
to learn, to improve.
It's never too late to make progress on any of those things.
- Look at me.
(gentle upbeat music)
I'm here and we've been doing the work
for close to a decade.
I'm committed.
- I am too.
- It's okay to seek help.
"In Treatment" is now streaming on HBO Max.
(gentle upbeat music)