Many people have misconceptions about what therapy is and who it is for. They picture scenes from movies where some stranger talks at them in a dark room as they recline on a leather sofa.
The reality is that anyone, everyone can benefit from therapy. Therapists also have differing styles and approaches to therapy. When you find the right therapists that you feel comfortable with, therapy can open up a whole new world for you. A world full of elevated happiness and understanding.
We’ve compiled a list of the most common misconceptions and broken them down for you. Hopefully, the more we talk about the benefits of therapy and break down the myths, the less stigmatized it will be and the more people it will help.
Myth 1: Therapy is only for people with serious issues
People go to therapy for many reasons. While some go for help with more serious issues, others go to learn new tools to be their best selves. They may want an objective ear that can help them with relationships, stress, grief, financial issues, job frustrations, or just achieving a greater happiness.
You do not have to be diagnosed with a serious disorder or wait for a problem to become explosive in order to seek therapy. Therapy can be a great way to keep the gears of your life well oiled and working effectively in your best interest. It can be a great way to be proactive, instead of waiting for serious issues to arise.
Myth 2: Therapy isn’t necessary when I have friends I can talk to
Friends and family are great resources when we want to talk and get something off our chest. They know us, therefore, we believe that they can hold our best interests at heart while listening and advising us.
However, this is not always the case. Social support is great, but therapists are highly skilled and trained professionals who have spent years honing their skills to help you with any emotional or behavioral issues you may have. In addition, they have tried and true skills and tools that they can equip you with.
Furthermore, friendships are give and take relationships. No one is waiting for the other to finish talking in order to jump into their own problem. In the case of therapy, that time is dedicated solely to you and your well-being. There are no hidden motivations. It is just for you and in your best interest. And to boot, it is confidential.
Myth 3: People in therapy are weak
It is great to think of therapy in the form of school. You do not attend university because you are weak. You go there to gain new skills and new knowledge from someone that has more knowledge and experience on the subject than you. There is no weakness in therapy.
Therapy is very similar. We all are not born with all the right tools and skills we will need to conquer every single possible event or circumstance in our life. We learn these things. And who better to learn them from than a professional.
Myth 4: It’s too much for me to handle
Many are afraid of facing the issues of their past. They are afraid that talking through past struggles and pains will send them over the edge. Perhaps it will be too painful to bear.
It is important to remember that in therapy, you do as much work as you want at the pace you want. Therapy is a long game. You attack tiny pieces at a time. You control the pace and your therapist can help you to know when it is time to take a break or to go slower. Doing it little by little makes the process very doable.
Myth 5: I don’t have time
Just like eating right and exercising, we make time for the things that make us feel good and positively affect our mental health and well-being. Many therapists can even be seen or talked to outside of basic working hours. This could be done with online therapy or over the phone as well as on weekends and nights.
If you have time to check Instagram for 15 minutes a day, perhaps you can take those 15 minutes to call an online counselor instead.
Don’t let mainstream stigmas or the attitudes of others keep you from seeking the tools that could help you to live your best life. Pick up the phone today and give it a try. Therapy is for everyone, everywhere.
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