Debunking Common Myths About Therapy

While stigma surrounding mental health is definitely improving, there are still some misconceptions about therapy and counselling in general. Myths like these can prevent people from getting the help they need, which can exacerbate mental health issues in the long run. We’ve addressed some of the most common misconceptions about therapy so you can learn more about it and what it can do for you.

1

Myth: Only “crazy” people need therapy.

  1. Anyone can go to therapy for any reason. Just because you aren’t having a mental breakdown doesn’t mean that going to therapy won’t be helpful for you. There’s no such thing as being “crazy enough” for therapy; if you’re struggling with something and think that an outside perspective might help, it can work for you. [1]
    • The myth that only people with serious mental health issues need therapy stems from the negative social stigma surrounding therapy.
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2

Myth: Going to therapy means that you’re weak.

  1. Working on yourself is a sign of strength. Using your available resources is a smart way to deal with stressful things in your life. It’s a myth that you need enough “willpower” to change things on your own—some issues are better solved with the help of a mental health professional. [2]
    • If it helps, you can think of a therapist as a coach or a tutor helping you make a change. They can’t do the work for you, but they can help guide you in the right direction.
3

Myth: Therapists will make me talk about things I don’t want to.

  1. You get to decide what you want to talk about each session. In fact, the entire session is totally built around listening to your needs! [3] It’s true that therapists might want to talk about specific things, but you never have to follow their direction. If you feel uncomfortable with the subject matter, simply let your therapist know so they can move on. [4]
    • In some cases, you might want to develop a rapport with your therapist before diving into the tough stuff. If that’s the case, let your therapist know that while you don’t want to talk about that now, you might be willing to later on.
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4

Myth: A therapist will cure me in 1 or 2 sessions.

  1. On average, therapy lasts 4 to 6 months in total. In fact, your first few sessions will probably be about your therapist getting to know you. After that, you can start working on your issues and getting advice from your therapist. [5]
    • If you’re in therapy for a long time (multiple years) and you feel like it’s not working, that’s a sign that you might need to switch therapists.
5

Myth: Relying on friends is as good as therapy.

  1. Your friends are not mental health professionals. While it’s great to have a support network where you can talk about your problems, going to a therapist is different. They’re trained to give you professional advice and talk through your issues so you can work on yourself. [6] [7]
    • Similarly, a therapy session is all about you. When you vent to your friends, there’s a bit of a back and forth, so you won’t get to focus on yourself the entire time. [8]
    • Using your friends as free therapy can weigh on them over time, and it might even cause a strain on the relationship.
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6

Myth: Therapy lasts your entire lifetime.

  1. Most people stay in therapy for about 6 months at a time. Therapy isn’t supposed to last your entire life, and many people go through long periods where they aren’t in therapy. You only need to go to therapy if it’s helpful to you—if you feel like you don’t need it anymore, you can simply stop the sessions. [9]
    • It’s also totally fine to cycle in and out of therapy multiple times during your life.
7

Myth: Therapy is too expensive.

  1. There are a lot of affordable therapy options out there. If you have health insurance, you can probably get your therapy sessions covered at least partly. If you don’t have insurance, look around for therapists who charge on a sliding scale. They’ll only charge you what you can afford based on your income. [10]
    • You can also search for online counseling, which is usually free or very cheap.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://comprehensiveclinic.byu.edu/debunking-12-myths-about-therapy
      2. ↑ https://www.apa.org/topics/psychotherapy/myths
      3. ↑ Tracy Carver, PhD. Licensed Psychologist. Expert Interview. 12 January 2021.
      4. ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-right-mindset/202005/10-common-myths-about-therapy
      5. ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-right-mindset/202005/10-common-myths-about-therapy
      6. ↑ Tracy Carver, PhD. Licensed Psychologist. Expert Interview. 12 January 2021.
      7. ↑ https://psychcentral.com/lib/9-myths-and-facts-about-therapy#3
      8. ↑ Tracy Carver, PhD. Licensed Psychologist. Expert Interview. 12 January 2021.
      9. ↑ https://www.apa.org/topics/psychotherapy/myths
      1. ↑ https://psychcentral.com/lib/9-myths-and-facts-about-therapy#4

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