Therapy Myths
Therapy can be time consuming and challenging, as uncomfortable emotions and thoughts often arise as part of the treatment process. Here are some common misconceptions:
I'm smart enough to solve my problems.
We all have our blind spots. Intelligence has nothing to do with it. A good therapist doesn’t tell you what to do or how to live your life. He or she will give you an experienced outside perspective and help you gain insight into yourself so you can make better choices.
Therapy is for crazy people.
Therapy is for people who have enough self-awareness to realize they need a helping hand, and want to learn tools and techniques to become emotionally balanced and more self-confident.
All therapists want to talk about is my parents.
While exploring family relationships can sometimes clarify thoughts and behaviors later in life, that is not the sole focus of therapy. The primary focus is what you need to change unhealthy patterns and symptoms in your life. Therapy is not about blaming your parents or dwelling on the past.
Therapy is self-indulgent. It’s for whiners and complainers.
Complaining won’t get you very far. Improvement in therapy comes from taking a hard look at yourself and your life, and taking responsibility for your own actions. Your therapist will help you, but ultimately you’re the one who must do the work.