Therapy can be a highly beneficial tool to improve your overall well being. No matter your age or background, therapy has both short and long-term benefits that go far beyond treating a mental illness. Speaking with a licensed therapist can help you cope with stressors, goals, past trauma, and various other aspects of your everyday experience.
If you have never spoken with a therapist before, the thought of doing so may seem overwhelming or scary. Today, we are going to discuss five commonly held misconceptions about talk therapy.
Myth: Therapy is only for really serious problems
Therapy is sometimes seen as a last-resort option for those who have a severe mental illness, are in crisis, or have just had a breakdown. However, this could not be further from the truth. Going to therapy regularly is a sign of resourcefulness, as therapy can help with a variety of needs. These needs could include working through past or current trauma, dealing with common mental health conditions like anxiety or depression, or even just navigating the challenges of everyday life. Therapy can provide clients with the tools to build a more meaningful life, strengthen their relationships, reach their goals, and so much more. 
Myth: People will think I am weak if they find out I go to therapy
Oftentimes, people will avoid seeking therapy for fear of judgment. However, going to therapy and sticking with it could be viewed as a sign of courage, as it forces you to confront and work through potentially uncomfortable things about yourself and your life. While it is normal to care about what others think, it may be reassuring to know that –especially as the stigma around mental health care has decreased– many people in your life will be supportive. Additionally, you are not obligated to tell friends and loved ones that you are in therapy.
Myth: Therapy won’t help me
For those who have never been to therapy, it is hard to imagine that it could be helpful. However, therapists are trained in a variety of modalities that facilitate a collaborative process between them and their client. According to the American Psychological Association, roughly half of people going to therapy will improve after 15-20 sessions. Furthermore, a therapist does not have a personal agenda or bias around you and your history, allowing them to bring a fresh perspective to your life experiences.
Myth: Therapy will cure all my problems quickly
It takes more than one to two sessions to get to the heart of a problem, and as stated above, it can take around 15-20 sessions for a client to feel like they are improving. This could be around 3-4 months. In order for a change to happen, however, a client must be willing to open up, accept help, and also do the day-to-day work outside of therapy to overcome the issues they bring to their therapist. Therapy takes time and can be difficult, but with the right therapist, you will be able to heal with time.
Myth: My therapist will blame all my problems on my childhood
Another common misconception is that therapists tell all clients that every problem they have is related to their childhood and upbringing. For one, a therapist will never blame or shame a client during a session. While it is true that better understanding a client’s past can help them understand and work through their present, your therapist will not explicitly blame your parents. Instead, they will look objectively at an individual’s life and help them understand its influences more clearly, while also encouraging them to take responsibility in moving forward, where they can.
New Perspective Counseling is Here to Help
Taking the first step and making an appointment to speak with a therapist can feel overwhelming. However, it is in the first session where the healing and change begins. After a session with one of the therapists at New Perspective Counseling, you will hopefully leave with:
- A sense of relief knowing your concerns were heard and understood
- Insight into factors contributing to the problem.
- Practical steps you can begin taking to ease your distress and address the problem.
- A sense of hope that things will improve
As the therapeutic process continues you will continue to gain confidence in your ability to make change and reach your potential. Schedule your first appointment with us today.