5 myths about going to therapy

It is 2023 and although I’d like to believe that the stigma surrounding going to therapy is over, there are still many myths and misconceptions that keep people out of my couch. 

Yes, there are real obstacles that keep people from going to therapy and these myths are not meant to undermine anyone’s real situation. However, when we are able to shed some light on some of our misconceptions, we are able to break through barriers that keep us from seeking the help we need. 

With that said, here are some of the most common myths that keep people from going to therapy. 

• 1. “I am not crazy, therapy is for crazy people”: Contrary to popular belief, therapy is not for crazy people. On a daily basis, I see people dealing with normal day to day issues. I actually believe that often it is better to go to therapy early on to avoid our symptoms from escalating into more debilitating concerns. 
  2. “I can’t afford it”: It is often assumed that therapy is very unaffordable. Now hear me out: is it really unaffordable or are our priorities other ones? We may not hesitate to spend $60 every two weeks on acrylic nails but we hesitate to do it when it comes to improving our mental health. For more on this topic, check out my previous blog article 6 ways therapy is more affordable than you think 
  3.  “It just will not work for me” Throughout the years I’ve learned that therapy works if you put in the work in between sessions. Therapy is more of a guide that facilitates change rather than the work itself. While there are no guaranteed results in the therapeutic process, therapy can provide a safe non judgmental space that elicits growth and change. Even if therapy alone might not be the answer, you and your therapist can explore adjunct services that can enhance the therapeutic process, such as support groups, case management and medication management. We must also keep in mind that therapists come with different theoretical orientations, approaches and personalities; therefore, a combination of these three plus the willingness of a client to work through their concerns can make therapy successful. 
  4. “I don’t have time to go to counseling”: I completely identify with this myth. As a busy therapist, wife, mom and entrepreneur, it is difficult for me to carve the time to take care of myself. However, I’ve been able to squeeze a session or two during my lunch break at work via Telehealth. Telehealth has brought therapy to our fingertips and allowed us to bridge the gap for getting accessible mental health services. Sacrificing one hour a week is doable. After all, if we were to look at our screen time usage, we probably spend more than one hour a week scrolling through social media. Might as well invest our time in taking care of our mental health by scheduling a Telehealth session. While I absolutely love in person therapy, I love Telehealth because it cuts the time it takes to commute to a therapist’s office.
     
  5. “If I go to therapy, they will automatically push for me to take medication” This doesn’t have to be the case for every client. While there are mental health disorders that can be alleviated with a combination of therapy and psychotropic medication, a good therapist will not quickly jump to “pushing medication”. It is actually outside of a mental health counselor’s scope of treatment to recommend any medication. However, if at any point your therapist believes that you can benefit from a psychiatric evaluation to explore medication in addition to therapy, it will be communicated to you and you will have the choice to make an informed decision.
     
     

  Challenging these myths and promoting mental health awareness and understanding are essential steps toward creating a more compassionate and supportive society for individuals with mental health issues. Education is important in speaking truth to these myths. Contact us for more information or booking your session.