6 myths about therapy you need to stop believing right now

I think the issue of going to therapy has become more socially acceptable than it was 10 years ago, but unfortunately, there are still a lot of myths that people believe in relation to therapeutic practices.... , 2020-05-24

I think the topic of going to therapy has become more socially acceptable than it was 10 years ago, but unfortunately, there are still many myths that people believe in relation to therapeutic practices. Here are six myths and facts about therapy that I hope will reassure you and help you better understand the benefits that therapy can bring to your life.

Myth: You're just paying someone to tell your business.
Fact: You are able to talk to and seek help for your life problems from a trained and unbiased professional.

Myth: You have to be crazy or have had something crazy happen to you in order to go to therapyFact
: All kinds of people go to therapy for various reasons, some related to traumatic life experiences, but also because you may need better help navigating your daily life.

Myth: You shouldn't go to a therapist when you can talk to a friend/family memberFact
: While friends and family are great moral support systems, the truth is that when it comes to needing advice, it's better to get that advice from someone who doesn't know you. This way, you get information about what you need from someone who has no preconceived notions of who you are or your situation.

4. Myth: People who go to therapy are mentally weakFact
: Going to therapy does not make someone mentally weaker than someone who does not go to therapy. In fact, people who decide they need therapy understand themselves mentally better than most because they knew their mind well enough to know when they needed help.

5. Myth: Therapy is too expensive to attendFact
: There are plenty of financially considerate
therapy options around. If you are insured, you may only have to pay a small co-payment, and in some cases it might even be free. If you are not insured, then you still have many options. There are virtual therapists who offer therapy services that you can tailor to your own needs and that cost much less than what the average sessions might cost (e.g. TalkSpace).

6. Myth: Therapy is for white peopleFact
: Therapy is for anyone and everyone who seeks help. In most depictions of therapy, we see a lack of colour in the appearance of therapists, but there are plenty of POC therapists out there. If you go to websites like PsychologyToday.com, you can see pictures of therapists that are in your area and read on to make sure they are right for you.

I hope this information has been beneficial to those of you who took the time to read this. I personally say that therapy has helped me in many ways throughout my life, and I am a better person because of it. If you would like to learn more about therapy, feel free to gather your own information to find out what is best for you.