May 30, 2024

Myths About Mental Health Treatment

About Nicole Pajer

Nicole Pajer is a Los Angeles-based freelance published in The New York Times, Woman's Day, AARP, Parade, Wired, Glamour, People and more.

“Therapy is only for people who have mental health issues.” “It’s too expensive to go to therapy.” “All my problems could be solved with just one trip to see a therapist.” These are just a few of the things that people who are considering therapy may often hear. But when it comes to mental health treatment, there are a variety of sayings that people frequently hear that are often not true. We dove into some of the top misconceptions about therapy to bring you this guide to help reconsider some common myths about therapy.

Myth #1: Therapy is only for "crazy" or severely mentally ill people.
Some people who are new to therapy can have the perception that it’s only for people who have already been diagnosed with a certain mental health condition, but therapy can also be useful for anyone generally looking for support, resources, or tools to improve mental well-being. “It can help with life transitions, relationship issues, self-improvement, processing grief, personal introspection, and to increase general quality of life,” says Kayla Crane, a licensed marriage and family therapist with South Denver Therapy.

Myth #2: Therapists always just sit and listen without offering any advice.
There are many different types of therapy available. And while some types of therapy do involve a therapist spending a session mainly listening to a patient, they will still typically ask you questions during the session in order to either help you lead yourself to a conclusion or to weigh in with their expertise. “A therapist can be a valuable third party to offer an outside perspective and highlight maladaptive patterns and collaborate with clients to achieve their goals,” explains Crane. If you are considering starting therapy, you can keep searching until you find the right professional for you, particularly if you are considering talk therapy. The beauty of a strong therapist/patient relationship is that you can be vocal about how you’d like the sessions to go – i.e. “I just want you to listen” versus “I need some advice.”

Myth #3: Therapy is a quick fix.
“While therapy can be long or short term, it will always require commitment and effort. Depending on each client and their goals, the length of time can vary greatly,” says Crane. Some people go to therapy weekly or biweekly on an ongoing basis, while some only call on a therapist whenever they feel like they need them. The length of time and how many appointments recommended is different for all. Ultimately, it’s what works best for you.

Myth #4: Therapy is only for talking about your past problems.
“While therapists can help clients process and reflect on current problems in their lives, they can also work together with the client to learn from the experience and create goals and tools to minimize such problems in the future,” says Crane. The sessions are basically whatever you want to make of them, though you may need to search for the right professional who is qualified to provide the therapy that will benefit you. Read more about different types of therapy.

Myth #5: Only weak people go to therapy.
“Therapy requires a great deal of vulnerability, which can be extremely scary, overwhelming, and intimidating. Being vulnerable is actually quite brave,” says Crane.

Myth #6: Therapy is only for resolving past traumas.
Crane notes that “[w]hile therapy can address and heal past traumas,” for certain individuals, for others it could be “valuable for a variety of other reasons, such as self-improvement, relationship issues, addiction, self-reflection, and to promote general well-being.”.

Myth #7: It's too late to benefit from therapy.
Mental health therapy can be a valuable tool for individuals at all ages – and it’s never too late to start. “All stages of life come with unique struggles varying from social functioning, relationship issues, life transitions, and grief and loss,” says Crane.

Myth #8: Therapy is too expensive.
While therapy might be a large monetary investment for some, it might also be covered by insurance depending on your coverage plan. “Additionally, some therapists offer sliding scale rates that can meet a variety of incomes,” says Crane. You can also ask local universities if they offer discount or free therapy. And some mental health organizations have tools on their websites that can direct you to free or low-cost therapy. There are also support groups for a variety of topics that you can attend that are often free or donation-based as well.

Myth #9: Family and friends can provide all the support seniors need.
While family and friends may be able to help you work through issues, therapists are often specially trained in things like relationships, family dynamics, anxiety, trauma and more, in a way that your peers and family likely are not. Thus, they may be able to provide valuable insight and professional coping techniques through your sessions. “Seniors often experience particularly difficult stressors such as the loss of a spouse or friends, transitions to assisted living facilities, changes in lifestyle and severe or terminal illness,” says Crane. “Some therapists are specially trained in supporting these issues.”

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