7 Common Myths about Therapy

In our clinical practice, we receive many questions from people who are interested in psychotherapy. Sometimes mental health stigma continues to remain a topic that could make seeking psychological help a taboo or an unspoken subject. While the root of the stigma may stem from the history and the traditions of some cultures, many of the fears and anxiety are also derived from common misconceptions about therapy.

Among those common myths about therapy, many prevent people from enjoying the benefits of therapy, others lead to misunderstanding of what therapy is like, whom therapy is for, and how therapy works. Therefore, we will list some myths as well as reveal facts about counseling.

1: Only people with serious issues need therapy.

This is one of the biggest myths about therapy, the stigma is, you have to have serious mental issues to go to therapy and when you do, it automatically labels you as “crazy.”

What is psychotherapy used for? The reasons for going to therapy can range from multitude of issues under different levels of severity, and these issues do not define who you are. Therapy could help people struggling with anxiety, depression, OCD, PTSD, ADHD, etc. Therapy can also provide a safe and supportive place for people to talk about grief, adjustment, employment, trauma, or any change in life that cause distress. Many people seek therapy to learn communication to better manage their relationships in individual, couples, or family therapy.

One of the main goals of therapy is self-improvement, whether it is learning to cope with stress, working on self-esteem, or addressing core beliefs. Therapists are here to assist you with your goals and help you thrive as an individual.

2. Therapy is for the weak.

This is another big myth about therapy, the misconception that you are not strong enough to handle and manage the issues yourself, or by going to therapy, you are somehow giving up or giving in.

This is not true. In fact, by seeking help, it means you are recognizing the need and taking action. That takes great courage, strength, and self-awareness. A common question people may ask is, who goes to therapy? A 2018 study showed that 4 in 10 (42%) of U.S. adults have seen a counselor at some point in their lives while 36% are open to it. 

3. Therapy is a waste of time.

Does therapy help? This is a question many people ask before they decide to seek therapy. The effectiveness of psychotherapy is similar to that of other medical professionals. If you went to a crappy dentist, would you assume that going to all dentists was a waste of time? Apparently not. You’d simply find a better dentist! Why don’t you approach therapy with the same expectations?

While some people may have mental health stigma, those who sought therapy view their experiences positively. A study reported that 82% of people who received psychotherapy treatment say they believe it was helpful to some degree. In fact, research consistently showed that psychotherapy can not only reduce stress and anxiety but also physically change the brain.

4. Seeing a therapist is like talking to a paid friend. I can fix my problems on my own.

It is very important to have a good support system. Being able to bond with and confide in the people around us is crucial for our mental well-being.

However, a therapist is different from a friend. A therapist is a trained professional that provides guidance to help you gain insight about your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. The role of the therapist is unbiased, which means that the therapist can offer fresh and different perspectives that may not be offered by your friends. Most importantly, the relationship is non-reciprocal, meaning that the devotion of the sessions will be focused on you. The beauty of having the therapist as a “professional stranger” rather than a “personal friend” is that you do not have to censor yourself or contain your true feelings.

A good therapist does not only listen to you, but also look for patterns of how your mind works. A therapist would help you to gain insight of your issues, learn skills, and build tools to manage your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Therapy is effective in helping you to change.

5. Therapy is too expensive.

Some people believe therapy is a glamorous hobby of the rich, who pay professionals to listen to their problems. Let’s face it, seeing a therapist is not inexpensive; however there is actually a wide range of services that can meet your needs!

Many people ask, “Does insurance cover therapy?” Depending on your insurance, therapy can be affordable for low-cost copay or coinsurance. Additionally, therapists are often very understanding and can offer sliding scale fee for therapy based on your situation and income. Talk to your therapist (or therapists if you are shopping for one) about this.

6. All therapy/therapists are the same.

Similar to snowflakes, there are no two therapists/therapy styles that are the same. As mentioned previously, there are different approaches to therapy, whether that is in treatment length (short-term vs. long term) or theoretical orientations (i.e., CBT, DBT, psychodynamic, etc.). The overall purpose is to help you to meet your goals and guide you to improve your well-being. Since everyone’s experience is different, that means the techniques used in therapy and the approaches each clinician utilizes can vary.

It is natural for a person to feel hesitant entering the therapy process. In fact, I challenge you to feel and recognize those hesitancy emotions. Once you do, review with yourself reasons why you seek therapy and the benefits of therapy it will bring to your mental health. Therapy can definitely be challenging and vulnerable, but simultaneously, it can also be incredibly rewarding.

7. Once you start therapy, it never ends.

The misconception that you have to be in therapy forever could be very misleading. Some people are afraid that they may have to depend on a therapist for the rest of their life. In fact, therapy mostly adopts brief or short-term treatment methods. Your therapist hopes that you can learn to use skills and become your own therapist. Your therapist would usually ask about your therapy goals, and then assist you to learn skills to achieve them. When your goals are met, you can terminate therapy unless you want to work on other goals.

Our therapists use evidence-based therapy approaches to help you to make progress in a short period of time. If you are thinking of seeking a therapist or interested in learning more about how therapy works, you can give us a call at (347) 542-8226 for a free phone consultation or contact us.

AUTHOR: Lin (Sally) Chen, MA, MHC-LP