What do you think of when you hear the word “psychotherapy?”. Do you think of a session you have been in? A story that your friend has told you? A scene from a Hollywood movie? Since there are so many depictions of what therapy is, it’s hard to disentangle the truths from the misconceptions. However, in order to truly understand psychotherapy, it’s important to address the myths that surround therapy and the therapeutic process.
While many myths surround the concept of therapy, the following nine myths are some of the most common:
Myth #1: Therapy is only for people with “real” or “serious” concerns
Therapy is for everyone and anyone; there are no specific criteria which an individual needs to meet to obtain psychotherapy. For example, there is a misconception that you must have a diagnosis or diagnoses in order to engage in psychotherapy (Tartakovsky, 2018). The truth is, people engage in therapy for a variety of reasons, some of which include: interpersonal concerns, relationship difficulties, stress, lack of motivation, low self-esteem, lack of assertiveness, unresolved guilt, anger, the need for support and validation, and the desire to have their voice heard.
Myth #2: A friend can do the same job as a therapist
While friends can be a source of support, they do not have the same training therapists have. Registered/licensed therapists have a great deal of education and clinical training. Typically the minimum education requirement for a registered therapist is a master’s degree while psychologists usually have a doctoral degree. Their training is vast: from understanding clinical diagnosis(es) and treatment modalities, diagnosing (psychologists), knowing and strictly keeping to the parameters of confidentiality, and ways to effectively interact with clients in order to promote their growth (Tartakovsky, 2018).
Since therapists are not a part of your personal life they can be more objective. The inherent nature of friendships can cause friends to be biased. They may also have their own perspective about what is best for you (or what is best for them) which may interfere with your goals and achievements. Therapists have a non-biased approach when implementing effective coping skills, modalities, and other therapeutic means.
Myth #3: Therapy is too expensive and it takes too long
There are many different ways to obtain cost effective therapeutic services. Some graduate students offer low cost therapeutic services. Graduate students are in the process of refining their therapeutic skills and gaining experience in the field (Hatfield, 2011). These students are being observed, trained, supervised, and evaluated based on how they interact and treat their clients (Hatfield, 2011). Students are training to become future practitioners under the supervision of a licensed professional who has been approved by their institution. A second option is asking the therapist if they offer a sliding scale. Sliding scales allow the therapist to decrease the price of a session; however, the minimum cost for the sliding scale will differ from practice to practice (Tartakovsky, 2018).
Therapy is an investment in yourself. As such, many consider it money well spent.
Myth #4: Therapy is only helpful if the therapist has experienced the same event
It’s understandable why this misconception exists, as many people believe that in order for another person to truly know what you are going through, they must have experienced the same thing. There is a belief that this idea stems from the true desire to be understood (Tartakovsky, 2018). A therapist is able to understand and acknowledge the stressor that you may have experienced. By listening to you and understanding your situation, an empathic therapist is able to approach all the aspects and affects of the stressor with you and provide evidence based treatment (Tartakovsky, 2018). If a therapist does not have the training to address the stressor and the concerns that you have, the therapist will be inclined to refer you to another therapist.
Myth #5: People who go to therapy are weak
There is an underlying stigma suggesting that an individual is weak if they believe they need help shouldering their own stressors. On the contrary, being your most vulnerable self and seeking help is brave. It is difficult acknowledging that we cannot carry certain burdens all by ourselves; however when we overcome this obstacle, we become stronger and empowered.
The act of engaging in therapy has been stigmatized to evoke feelings of shame and guilt for various reasons, one being the idea that we should be able to cope with our stressors on our own. Instead, it is important to know that there is courage in disclosing your concerns to a professional. Why? Because it is not easy to open up and tell our story, let alone your most vulnerable stories. There is courage and healing in sharing with your therapist and the therapy process.
Myth #6: All therapists are the same
Just as there are different types of therapy, there are also different types of therapists. Each therapist brings with them different training and educational experiences that fundamentally alter the way they approach and conduct therapy (Hatfield, unknown). Since all therapists are different, it’s important to find a therapist who you feel comfortable with, that you believe best suits your needs, and has experience with the concerns that you have. In the same way it’s important to communicate with your therapist what it is that you need in therapy versus what you feel is not helpful to you.
Myth #7: I don’t need therapy, I only need medication
Mental health differs from physical health whereby medication is typically the solution. Take the common bacterial infection, for example, if a doctor prescribes medication it is likely that the infection will resolve. When it comes to addressing mental health concerns, medications do not have the same impact that they do with physical health problems. Medication may help to alleviate and regulate some mental health concerns; however, medication does not resolve the source of the problem. Therapy allows you to get to the root of the problem, understand it, and learn how to approach it in a healthy way (Hatfield, 2011).
Myth #8: Therapy will not work
Due to therapeutic myths, many people are not aware of what therapy entails. Primarily, therapy requires hard work and dedication. When we take medications, we rely on them to resolve the problem without having to do extra work. Therapy takes a different approach. In therapy “you get what you give” and therapy works best if you actively participate in evoking change (Tartakovsky, 2018). Therapy also works when individuals want to be in session as opposed to when they are pressured or mandated to be there. If an individual is pressured to be in therapy, it is likely that they will not actively engage in the therapeutic process and will not obtain the full benefits.
Myth #9: I don’t have time to see a therapist
We often maintain very busy lives that leave little room for going beyond the parameters of our routine activities. This leads to us often forgetting to prioritize our mental health. The good news is that many therapists offer weekend appointments to accommodate the patient (Hatfield, unknown). But what if that still isn’t enough? The concept of therapy has now expanded to include telepsychology. Telepsychology allows individuals to participate in online therapy sessions while remaining in their homes or wherever is most convenient for them. This makes therapy more accessible, versatile, and time-efficient.
Written By: Natalie DeRose, M. Psy., B. A. (Hons)
Edited/Reviewed by: Dr. Stacy Lekkos, C. Psych
References
Hatfield, H. (2011, June 08). Top 7 Therapy Myths Debunked. Retrieved from https://www.webmd.com/depression/features/therapy-myths#4
Tartakovsky, M. (2018, October 08). 9 Myths and Facts About Therapy. Retrieved from https://psychcentral.com/lib/9-myths-and-facts-about-therapy/
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