10 Common Therapy Myths Busted

Amy Taylor November 13, 2013

Many people who want to get therapy are often discouraged because of so many pervasive myths. The following are ten very common therapy myths and the truth behind them.

Seeking therapy means you are crazy. Seeking help is not a sign of weakness. Just because you are seeking professional help doesn’t mean you are out of your mind. Many people see a therapist to cope with stress, grief, and other negative situations, learn ways to become more optimistic, and so on. There’s really nothing ‘crazy’ about wanting to live your life to the fullest.

Therapy is expensive. Yes, seeking therapy can be expensive. But not seeking therapy when you need it is much, much more costly. For instance, think about how chronic stress can affect your relationship with others, your work life, and your health. There’s a great deal of research linking stress with heart disease, stroke, obesity and cancer. Think about how much all these illnesses can cost you in the future.

Medication is just as effective as therapy. Medical interventions are designed from the view that psychological problems are caused by changes in the brain chemistry. But not all mental illnesses are caused by such changes, and therefore can be treated well with medication. There’s great evidence suggesting that mental health disorders such as depression, is better dealt with through psychotherapy like counselling and cognitive behavioural therapy.

Therapists will only blame and shame you. Blame this to fictional characters you see on TV or read on books. Real, professional therapy is all about compassion. It is intended to help a person experience his or her own emotional breakthroughs and deal with them, at their own pace.

You’ll be in therapy forever. It’s true that some patients may benefit from ongoing therapy, especially those with long-lasting mental illness. But most people who seek therapy are able to deal with their issues in just a few weeks or months.

Therapy is all about happy thoughts. Some emotional issues can be effectively dealt with by practising optimism. But it isn’t the only key to a successful treatment. Through therapy, people can actually learn to recognise and face their fears and overcome them. By working with the client one-on-one, therapists are able to go through the client’s painful past and give them hope for a peaceful future.

Therapy is all about the past. During a therapy, the client may be asked to talk about their past experiences, particularly during their childhood. Whilst it’s true that you can’t change the past, you can change your view of it from ‘too painful’ to ‘less painful’. Talking about the past is also needed so that the therapist can have a better understanding of where the client is coming from. But therapy is not about the past. It’s about how to improve your life in the present and in the future.

Therapists just listen. Active listening is critical to a successful therapy. But it’s not just all about listening. Good therapists also do a lot of talking to help clients set goals and achieve them, and teach them new skills to deal with their problems. The therapist may even assign homework to help the client practice their new skills.

All therapists are the same. Therapists differ in credentials, fields of specialisation, training, and so on. Some therapists are not allowed to prescribe medications whilst some are. Social workers and licensed mental health counsellors are also qualified to provide therapy. It is important that you choose a practitioner who is experienced and well-trained in the type of therapy you prefer.

Therapy is like having a paid friend. Many people say "Just get a therapist — they get paid to listen to your problems." The truth is – you are paying for the therapist’s time and expertise. The caring is given free. There’s a huge difference between a therapist and a trusted friend. One is that a professional therapist doesn’t have a preconceived notion about your character. This allows the client to express themselves freely without the chances of hearing things like “You always do that”, “I told you that before,”, “You shouldn’t have done that”, etc.