Common Misconceptions About Seeing a Therapist

Many people are nervous and hesitant to see a therapist for a variety of reasons. If you’ve never been in therapy, of course it can be an intimidating experience. You’re meeting with someone you don’t know in a new place or through a webcam, and may feel uncomfortable opening up about experiences we are told to feel shameful about. As a therapist, it is our job to make you feel comfortable and safe. We are trained to create and maintain this environment to encourage trust and build rapport, and while the conversations may be difficult at times, they often lead to growth and increased self-awareness.

Some common misconceptions about therapy are listed below:

“Therapy is for weak people”- Beginning therapy is a sign that someone has gained the courage to challenge beliefs/thoughts that are leading to suffering and that they are ready to make a change in their life. They are admitting that it is hard to do this on their own and that they need an alternative perspective to challenge them.

“Therapists just give advice”- As therapists, we know that the individual is the real expert on their lives. They know what’s best. Oftentimes in therapy, our job is to help the individual understand the patterns of thinking that lead to actions which do not align with how we want to be.

“All you do in therapy is just talk about your problems”- The goal of therapy is to identify the problem, learn how the individual is contributing to this issue, and work towards a solution. While there may be times or sessions where the “problem” is discussed at length, the conversation should be aligned with what steps are being taken to move toward lasting change.

https://www.selfinjury.bctr.cornell.edu/perch/resources/therapy-myths-and-misconceptions-pm.pdf