Therapy myths are harmful because they can discredit the benefits of therapy and make a person feel that there’s no point in trying to get help.
There are many reasons why people avoid therapy. But one of the most important reasons is that they believe myths about therapy. It’s time to bust those misconceptions once and for all, so you can be informed and make an educated decision about whether therapy is right for you.
7 Myths About Therapy
Here are the seven most common therapy misconceptions:
Myth 1: Therapy Is Only for People With Serious Mental Illness
Some people think therapy is reserved only for those who have “serious” mental illnesses like schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, or who are feeling suicidal. But, this couldn’t be further from the truth.
Firstly, who defines what’s serious and what’s not? Sure, there are mild levels of anxiety, depression, PTSD and other mental conditions, but that doesn’t mean they feel “mild” to the individual. That person can still feel like their life is being seriously negatively impacted by their symptoms.
Secondly, a “mild” mental health condition can progress and develop into a more severe version without proper treatment. Examples of this include depression, PTSD and anxiety. All of these conditions can—and often do—intensify if symptoms aren’t managed.
Myth 2: Talking About It Makes It Worse
This is an interesting myth because it feels quite illogical. Think about personal problems you’ve had in the past. Often, talking about it to a close friend or loved one helps the situation. You feel like you got it off your chest, and you may have even solved the problem.
The same is true with therapy.
Talking through your problems can help you gain clarity on the root issue and help you feel relief.
Myth 3: Therapy Takes Years to Work
Is therapy worth it if it takes years to work? This misconception simply has its timeline all wrong. Therapy doesn’t take very long to show results. Many patients report feeling an improvement in their symptoms within just a few sessions (with the right therapist).
Several decades-old studies found that people can see significant results within 11-20 sessions. However, more recent research has questioned these findings. It’s simply too challenging to put an average timeline towards therapy results because there are so many factors at play. Your timeline will depend on the connection with your therapist, their experience, the severity of your mental health condition, whether you’ve had therapy before and more.
What is certainly true is that it will not take years.
Still, the root of this myth probably comes from people not fully being able to see their progress right away. For example, a qualitative research study that followed patients who went to therapy for three years found that it often takes time for people to realize the benefits of therapy. “Some patients had altered their views on therapy, especially those who initially were uncertain of how helpful therapy had been. They said they did not realize the extent and importance of their improvement in therapy before some time had passed, which can be explained by the surprising cumulative effects of seemingly small changes.”
Myth 4: A Therapist Just Tells You What You Want to Hear
A therapist is not your friend. You may have loved ones or people in your life who always agree with you and tell you what you want to hear, but that won’t be the experience with your therapist. It’s a therapist’s job to challenge you and try to get to know you on a deeper level. That can never happen if the conversation is always superficial, one-way parroting of what you’ve shared.
Therapists also need to point out that your thinking is wrong or harmful. A mental health condition often revolves around your thoughts, beliefs and perceptions of how things are. A mental health professional will pull you out of repetitive, harmful thinking and show you some new perspectives.
Myth 5: I Should Be Able to Handle This on My Own
You don’t expect yourself to handle serious dental problems, medical issues or issues with your computer or car. So, why is this any different? Therapists spend years getting educated so they have the right skills and experience to help others with their mental illnesses. You can’t expect to do the same without that training.
It takes courage to ask for help. You don’t have to suffer through things alone, telling yourself you “can handle it.”
Myth 6: Therapy Is Too Expensive or Not Covered by Insurance
Therapy is an investment. If you want to live a long, healthy and fulfilled life, you must have certain priorities. You need to invest in your physical and mental health, which includes seeing a therapist, getting physical activity, eating healthy and addressing issues early.
If you have insurance, therapy can be very affoardable. At FHE Health, we’re proud that most insurance providers are accepted. And we make it as easy as possible by allowing you to quickly verify your coverage online.
Myth 7: Starting Therapy Means Something Is Permanently Wrong With Me
Many people start therapy because they feel something is wrong with them. They’ve been experiencing new or worsening symptoms, and their quality of life has worsened. Asnd the hope is that therapy can help them get answers and get help.
But it’s almost never a situation where something is permanently wrong. Even with mental health conditions where there is no cure, like schizophrenia, the right medication and therapy program can immensely help individuals.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Should I Go To Therapy?
If any of the above were misconceptions that you believed in, at least now you’ve had that cleared up.
It’s estimated that more than one in five adults in the US has a mental illness. Therapy is an effective, reliable way to get help and manage your mental health. If you’re already wondering if therapy is right for you, why not give it a try? It might surprise you how much of a difference it makes! - What should I expect in my first therapy session?
Consider your first therapy session like a first date. It’s an opportunity for you to meet your therapist and share what you hope to achieve out of therapy.
FHE Health: Book Your First Appointment
FHE Health is a full-service rehabilitation facility that specializes in mental health treatment. Our professional, experienced therapists offer a wide range of therapy programs to help you find the right fit for your needs. Contact us today for more information.
