Whilst therapy is increasingly being viewed as an essential tool for improving our mental health and wellbeing, expressing a need for it, or showing interest in seeking out a therapist, is often still awkwardly received and misunderstood. Many people continue to be confused about what therapy involves, who might benefit from it, and what it can and cannot do. Here are the three most common myths I hear about therapy - and a few facts that I hope will help debunk them.

Myth #1: Only "mentally ill" people need therapy.

One of the most persistent myths I hear from my clients about therapy, is that some people still believe that only those with serious mental illness need it. Often clients will report family members or friends making comments such as ‘but you’re not ill are you?’, ‘I had no idea things were that bad!’ or ‘are you sure that’s really necessary?’. In reality, therapy can be beneficial for anyone, no matter how they feel, or what is happening in their life.

Anyone who wants to improve their mental health, understand themselves better, make positive change or simply grow as a person could find therapy a beneficial, and often fascinating process. People seek therapy for a variety of reasons, feeling stuck, anxiety, depression, relationship issues, or stress or simply because they feel they have some limiting habits and beliefs that might be worth exploring. Therapy can, of course be helpful for people experiencing severe mental illness, but it is also a good choice for anyone who simply wants to lead a happier, healthier life.

Myth #2: Therapy is only about talking about your problems.

Another common myth about therapy is that it is just about talking about your problems. While talking about your issues is certainly a part of therapy, it is not the only focus. As therapists, we use a broad range of techniques and approaches to help our clients, this can include open ended questioning and enquiry, deep exploration, active listening, observation, reflection, psychoeducation, summarising, reframing or rephrasing and even silence. Therapy is not just a venting session - even if some sessions can feel that way - instead it is an active and intentional process that can involve us learning about ourselves, about how we relate to the world and to other people, and to our past experiences. It can be a place where we can discover new ways of thinking, new beliefs, behaviours or coping skills and in doing so, perhaps let go of outdated thought patterns and habits that no longer serve us.

Myth #3: Therapy is a quick fix.

Finally, many people believe that therapy is a quick fix for their problems. While therapy can be incredibly effective, it is not a one-time cure-all, six sessions and we’re done, process. Improvement and change often takes time and effort. Therapy is a process that requires commitment and consistency. It is not a magic wand that will solve all your problems overnight. However, with patience and persistence, therapy can help people make significant progress and achieve their goals. Key to this is finding the right therapist to work with, and the development of a good solid, trusting relationship.

Excellent resources for exploring therapy further is the British Association for Counsellors and Psychotherapists website, especially their section on ‘What Therapy Can Help With’. The BACP also have an excellent therapist directory of registered and accredited therapists which could help you find the right therapist, whether you are looking to work online or in person.

I currently have availability for online clients only, as all my in person session slots are currently fully booked, To book a free 30 minutes assessment call for online therapy, feel free to use the booking link below.

Photo by Mitch on Unsplash