5 Common Misconceptions About Therapy
Published August 29th, 2024
4.5 min read
Learn about what therapy is and what it can and can’t do.
Written by Simon Spichak
Although most people experience some sort of mental health distress each year, not everyone goes to therapy. One reason might be that people have a lot of misconceptions about therapy, which can stigmatize the practice and prevent people from seeking help. We break down some of the biggest misconceptions here.
Therapy is only for people who are weak or “crazy”
For a long time, people who sought out therapy were stigmatized by others. However, there is nothing weak or otherwise wrong about realizing that you might need help. People who go to therapy are taking active steps to improve their mental health.
There are also many reasons people go to therapy besides struggling with a mental health condition. Some common reasons people go to therapy include seeking help with relationships, work-life transitions, everyday stress, or boosting their emotional regulation skills.
Therapy is just talking
Therapy is a lot more than just talking. Therapeutic modalities, for example, dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) or exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP), involve learning how to change how your body responds to distress.
DBT can help teach you healthy coping strategies, like sensory body awareness, that help with mindfulness and emotional regulation. ERP is an effective treatment for PTSD and OCD, which exposes you to anxiety-inducing situations to help your body and brain desensitize to these situations.
A therapist might also give you homework, which consists of skills or strategies you need to practice outside the session. Some might also encourage you to write down your thoughts, exercise, or engage in creative activities to improve your mental health.
Therapists can solve all your problems
Therapy isn’t magic, it’s hard work. Therapists also don’t fix your problems. They help you develop the skills and tools you need to deal with them in the future. Ultimately, you need to implement the strategies you learn in therapy to improve your life.
Depending on the issues you’re coming to therapy with, it might take 12 to 16 sessions or three to four months before you start feeling better. Other times, you might need help from a psychiatrist as well, who might prescribe medications that can work synergistically with therapy to improve your symptoms.
Therapists blame everything on childhood trauma
In many pop culture representations of therapy and talk shows run by people like Dr. Phil, therapists zero in on your parents or other trauma stemming from childhood.
Therapists aren’t rushing to blame your parents or childhood trauma for your problems. They listen to your issues with an open mind, don’t shame you or assign blame, and work to help you address the issues you believe are most pertinent to your mental health.
All therapists are the same
Every therapist is a little different — they have their personal style of therapy and experiences that shape their approaches. Some people are also more comfortable speaking with therapists who speak the same language, have the same gender identity, or come from a similar cultural background.
There are many questions you should ask the therapist during the first session to understand their approach and whether they’re right for you.
How Resolvve can help
Resolvve offers lots of resources to help you learn about therapy and find the right therapist for you:
If you think you’re ready to give therapy a go, we offer affordable, low-cost options with minimal wait times. Click to book a free consultation.
Please note that this post is written for educational purposes; it is not therapy. If you need to talk to a professional, please book a consultation with a psychotherapist through Resolvve.
