Debunking myths about therapy

This post was written by guest contributor José R. Chimelis-Santiago.

Embarking on the journey of mental health therapy can be a truly transformative experience. However, it’s not uncommon for misconceptions to cloud the path to healing. Despite the increasing demand for mental health treatment, persistent myths still predominate. But here’s a spoiler alert: Therapy isn’t merely about sitting on a couch (or lying down) and pouring your heart out. It’s a dynamic process that goes beyond stereotypes. So, let’s unravel some common misconceptions that might be deterring you from embracing the valuable support you deserve on your path to well-being.

“Therapy is only for people with real mental health problems.” First of all, therapy definitely works for people diagnosed with a mental health disorder. But you do not have to be experiencing a “big” or severe problem to benefit from psychotherapy! Therapy can be helpful for anyone experiencing daily life stressors like problems at your job, school, sleep, or even issues you might be experiencing with others. So, it is entirely ok to start therapy if you need some extra help to deal with the things that have been bothering you.

“Therapy is all about giving advice and telling me what to do.” Well, not exactly. Sometimes, people are even disappointed when their therapists do not tell them what to do. The truth is that therapy can look so many ways depending on the treatment approach that the therapists utilize. For instance, a cognitive-behavioral therapist (aka CBT) will work with you to set a goal and build skills that you could use to deal with your stressors. Some therapists might teach you skills to relax, reframe unhelpful thoughts, and effective problem solving. In other words, you will be learning to be your own therapist! Besides CBT, there are many other treatment modalities, but we will leave that for another blog post. 

“A therapist will solve all my problems.” Believing that a therapist can magically solve all of your problems may sound appealing, but it’s essential to recognize that therapists don’t have a one-size-fits-all solution. Despite this, it’s not a reason to lose hope. Therapists can guide you in developing practical problem-solving skills, empowering you to tackle challenges successfully.

“Therapy is only for talking about my past.” Another common misconception is that therapy is solely about delving into past traumas. While some therapy approaches do explore childhood experiences, many other modalities, such as CBT, primarily concentrate on addressing current thoughts and behaviors. Therapy isn’t just talking about the past; you can also navigate present challenges to enhance your overall well-being. So, the short answer to this is that it depends on the therapist’s approach to treatment, and you are free to choose whatever you think would work best for you.  

“You will feel immediately better after one session.” Well, this is a complex topic. Recent research points out that some people could benefit from single-session interventions, meaning that some folks might obtain just what they need in one therapy session. However, there might be instances where a person might need weekly therapeutic intervention to address their concerns. Some therapists might even ask you to do weekly homework on your own! This homework might look like trying some breathing exercises, journaling your thoughts, or even doing some things that seem scary but that would benefit you in the long run. I know we all hate doing any extra work, but scientists have found that people who do this additional work benefit the most from therapy!

To close things off, a therapist guides you and provides the resources and skills you could benefit from. If you or a loved one is interested in talking to a therapist, you can click here to search for therapists close to where you live. Also, the 988 Lifeline provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress.

Edited by Liz Rosdeitcher and Emma Clearly