Myths and Facts About Therapy
Myth: Therapists are all about the money.
Fact: Therapists don’t go to school because it’s where the money is. Being a therapist is a tough, yet rewarding job that brings therapist to the field. Most therapists become therapists because of their personal experience or connection to therapy or their vast knowledge or curiosity about human behavior.
Myth: Therapy is the same as talking to friends.
Fact: Talking to your best friend and talking to a therapist may seem like the same thing to someone who has never been to therapy, but they are very different.
When talking to a therapist, you don’t have to worry about the therapist’s thoughts, opinions, judgments or feelings. It’s all about YOU in therapy. When you talk with your friends, it’s a reciprocal dynamic, and it’s natural to censor yourself.
Additionally, talking to a therapist is guaranteed confidential. I’m not saying you can’t trust your best friend!
Myth: Therapy costs too much.
Fact: For some, therapy may be too expensive. For others, health insurance may be an option pending, deductibles, copays and medical necessity. Some therapists offer sliding scale fees or reduced fees depending on your financial situation. For my prospective client’s, where there is a will, there is a way.
To put it in perspective, therapy is an investment in yours or your teen’s mental health now and in the future. Consider how much money you spend on cars, clothes, vacations, massages, electronics, spa days, nice dinners, competitive sports leagues for your teens – all to improve the quality of your life. Think about how much more you could enjoy these things if you or your teen were functioning at your best.
Myth: All therapists are the same.
Fact: Nope. Not true. Every one of us is different in our own way. We may practice the same theories, but our personalities, styles, and mannerisms make no two therapists the same. It is essential you find a therapist who is the right fit for you. The best predictor of a successful therapeutic outcome is the therapeutic relationship between the therapist and the client.
If you’ve had a bad experience with one therapist, don’t throw in the towel yet. Give another therapist a try. Maybe that therapist wasn’t the right fit for you.
Myth: Therapy is for people with a severe mental illness.
Fact: Therapy is for anyone who is struggling with some aspect of their life and wants to be the best version of who they were born to be. Therapy isn’t just about mental illness; it’s also about mental wellness. I see people with depression and anxiety to people who seek counseling to help with the lack of direction in their life. Therapy is tailored to your needs.
Contact me to discuss how I can help meet your therapy needs.