Myth Busting Therapy and Therapists
Going into therapy can raise many questions, and can be a frightening experience. With so many misconceptions about therapists and the therapeutic experience in society, those who have familiarity and are new to the experience can find it detracting. Especially for those newer to participating in therapy, confusion can occur even by wondering to themselves what the first meeting would be like.
Unfortunately, there continues to be widespread misconceptions about therapy even with stronger positive media coverage and advocacy from therapists. Even with the strong number of therapists available, I imagine that could raise more questions about the right fit with questions about what therapy is for and the types of therapies that therapists utilize. Clients want to be able to connect with the therapist they are sharing their deepest experiences with, and therapists want to make sure they are supporting you in a way that best fits your needs.
While opinions about being in therapy are starting to shift from negative stigmas, many of the myths and preconceived expectations are still prevalent. Set expectations for what to focus on when starting therapy is not uncommon either. Whether focusing on improving relationship quality or seeking advice, these expectations brought into a first appointment can also present misconceived ideas for how therapy functions.
Even with the information provided in their online profiles, many misconceptions continue to exist about what therapists are like in session. Cultural assumptions also continue to be a mainstay about how therapists typically work with clients and what their role is.
One of the main reasons for why stereotypes manifest is from a good reason; that therapy is ultimately a private experience. Therapists are also bound by law to not disclose session information and details to others. That makes it easier for others not participating in therapy to create ideas about what happens when you hear that someone is in therapy. The honest take is that therapy is about fostering a safe relationship between yourself and your therapist to unravel intimate details about your life’s experiences and create change in life.
Misguided ideas about therapy can also be attributed to its depiction in media such as movies and television. Media can often portray therapy in the harshest settings and situations, such as dark rooms, cold office settings, and unsettling camera work to create a tense environment. Whether the depiction is about the client or the therapist, the power that imagery holds can be a strong influencer for how it is generally perceived. We can also link the misconceptions of therapy and therapists to a lack of knowledge about its purpose and cultural differences about seeking outside support.
This writing will emphasize the misconceptions of being in therapy and what therapists do. The definition of what therapy is will also be explained to further clarify the misconceptions. While there is a myriad of myths that exist, I will just focus on some of the more common themes that create confusion and distance from therapy.
What is Therapy?
Also known as counseling or psychotherapy, therapy is a mental health support process that focuses on alleviating emotional distress and other mental health issues. Sometimes, it involves gaining insight into a client’s history, decisions, behavioral patterns; and can be utilized for individuals, couples, groups, and families. Therapy sessions are typically defined as a structured meeting time between the person and a licensed provider, the therapist, focusing on improving certain aspects of that person’s life experiences. These objectives are typically established between both the client and therapist.
Compassion is paramount from the therapist. They are invested in the needs and topics that are presented by the client in a therapy session, creating a strong working relationship over time through trust and safety.
Therapy sessions are also held with the utmost privacy considered to the client. Unless there is probable cause for harm, nothing that is discussed in session gets disclosed to anyone else in any way. Because many topics discussed in therapy come from uncomfortable situations and topics that clients aren’t ready to openly focus on outside of therapy just yet, therapists recognize the importance of keeping privacy a top priority.
Because therapy is such a private experience, it’s understandable that so many misconceptions are created. Without proper advocacy and knowledge about what therapy is, these myths and stereotypes continue to impact the views of seeking help.
Here are some of the common misconceptions about therapy:
Therapy Is Only for “Crazy People”
One of the most stereotyped statements about being in therapy. Most likely stemming from the prefix “psycho,” many people tend to associate being “mentally unwell” and “in therapy” with negative connotation most likely because of some media portrayals in the past and lack of knowledge about therapy. At the same time, this also disregards the recognition for needed external support some need in their lives. Now, media portrayals of therapy have generally changed and improved to exemplify a more supportive space. That one does not have to be “crazy” to seek help to support mental health. Though some dramatic flair in media still presents some concerns about what actual therapy can look like. Additionally, many cultures consider mental health services as taboo, and seeking outside help as having an impact on one’s familial and societal reputation.
All Therapy & Therapists Are the Same
There are many different types of therapy, from focusing on thought processing to some being more skills based. Many therapists tend to focus their methods of therapy based on the different theories of psychology that have come to fruition over time. Some might strictly focus on one theory, while others also utilize a variety of different therapeutic orientations to work with clients. The different modalities and different methods of utilizing talk therapy can lead to positive results and change in different ways.
A Venting Session
While therapy involves talking primarily from the client and can feel like it is just a space to air out frustrations, it is much more than that. Therapy is a space that allows us to not only discuss our frustrations, but work through them in a neutral space. It then allows you to reflect on any perpetual patterns related to these stressor points and learn from them. The main difference between talking about an issue with a therapist versus a close person in your life is the unbiased insight and training gained to help you focus in on key themes and identify specific patterns and behaviors.
Therapy Is a Quick Solution
Many fictional representations of therapy might relay the therapeutic experience as a quick solution for dealing with your struggles. Having the expectation of quick sessions, defined here as one or two sessions, to fix your presenting problems can be more harmful and problematic as it creates the expectation of rushing through the session to uncover everything about the issue. The truth is that it takes time to not only build a professional working relationship with your therapist, but that it also takes time to unravel the root of any presenting issue.
For example, the first few appointments typically focus on intake and getting to know you and learn about your history. Even then, there can be hardships experienced with being vulnerable and able to talk about any presenting issues. It may be uncomfortable for some to fully be vulnerable; while some, in contrast, might feel incredibly comfortable expressing themselves more quickly. Therapy is not just about solving a life problem, but about establishing trust and structure in one’s life to maintain day to day functioning, identifying patterns and behaviors that impact that same functioning, and finding ways to tolerate distressing situations; all of which can take time and commitment.
Therapy Will Provide All the Answers
Not quite. A therapist ethically will not be able to give straight forward answers to someone else’s presenting concerns. More specifically, we have not lived the same experiences that anyone else would have, so it would not be feasible to provide an answer to an issue without it being biased. Rather than inputting specific formulas for success, therapists tailor the work to the client they are working with in session allowing them to be a focal point rather than the general population. What is important is not what the therapist believes to instill growth, but what the client believes. Facilitating change comes from within, though sometimes support is validly needed to draw out the answer that is already there.
Therapy Is Not Private
All therapists and other mental healthcare workers, whether working with individuals, couples, families, or groups, are bound by law and a code of ethics to keep personal information about the people they work with confidential. Because of the intimate and vulnerable experiences shared between you and your therapist, your information and content are expected to be kept private. There are exceptions, of course. This being that there will be very specific circumstances that include harm to self or others that would require specific information to be disclosed. Otherwise, the important concern of confidentiality in therapy to know is that your health information will always be kept private.
Final Thoughts
In closing, there are many misconceptions about being in therapy, and many of these misled ideas can come from public portrayals, personal expectations, and lack of knowledge about working with a therapist. While many of these thoughts have recently shifted towards a positive direction, it can still be challenge talking about beginning or even currently participating in therapy. Misconceptions and stereotypes about the process of therapy continue to linger, with cultural factors also playing a large role in finding support.
Lastly, therapists can also have misconceived ideas about what they do from others. But they are solely focused in giving space for you to learn about yourself, heal and grow. The reality is that therapy can be a resourceful tool for growth and discovering parts of your identity that you may not have recognized or thought about before. No one therapeutic experience will be the same. Nor should it diminish our wanting to take care of our mental health.