Last week, I was having a really bad day. I felt depressed and unmotivated but didn’t quite know why. Luckily I had my therapy appointment that afternoon and it helped me so much. I left the appointment feeling lighter and realized that I needed to be a little gentler with myself when I’m in a mood like that.
Living with a chronic illness is not easy. Chronic illness and depression often go hand-in-hand. That’s certainly been the case in my life. So going to therapy has been an important way that I cope with the toll that my chronic illness often takes on me.
But it’s not just folks with chronic illness or depression that can benefit from therapy. I believe that everyone could use a therapist in their life to talk to. It really is so helpful to have an unbiased professional to discuss your problems with.
But there are a lot of misconceptions out there about therapy. And if you’ve never gone to a therapist yourself, you might believe some of them. That’s why I want to discuss some of those misconceptions and tell you the truth about going to therapy.
Myth 1: A therapist will only want to focus on my childhood.
If you picture therapy as lying on a couch, only talking about your childhood, you’re in for a surprise. Real life therapy is far from the picture that’s often painted on TV and in movies.
While discussing the past may be helpful in some instances, many therapists tend to focus more on solving present and future problems.
There are all different types of therapists and finding one that’s a good fit for you is important. If you don’t like a certain therapist, keep in mind that you are always free to find a new one that you really click with.
Myth 2: If I go to therapy, it means I’m weak or crazy.
These days going to therapy has become more common and widely accepted. Going to therapy doesn’t mean you’re weak. And it certainly doesn’t mean you’re crazy.
It actually shows that you’re being resourceful and proactive with your self-care. Knowing when to seek support is a sign of strength and self-awareness. Going to therapy shows that you’re prioritizing your own mental well-being so you can be your best self for the people in your life that you care about.
Myth 3: I have to have a mental illness to see a therapist.
While therapy is a wonderful tool for treating mental illness, you do not have to have a serious mental health problem to see a therapist.
You could just be overwhelmed by daily stress and need someone to talk to. Or you could be going through a major life change and need some extra support.
There are so many different reasons that people go to therapy and having a mental illness is certainly not a requirement.
Myth 4: Therapy is too expensive and only for the rich.
If you have health insurance, chances are they will cover therapy or counseling. You just have to find a provider who is in your network. There are also non-profits that offer therapy for a low cost if you don’t have health insurance.
All I pay for my therapy is a $10 copay per session. That’s definitely worth it for my mental health and well-being.
Myth 5: I have my friends and family to talk to. Why would I need a therapist?
While it’s great to have a good support system and people you can talk to when things get difficult, a therapist can provide a professional, unbiased perspective that family and friends often cannot.
Your friends may be able to give you advice but they typically don’t have the training that a therapist has. Therapists are trained to identify thoughts and behaviors that your friends may not pick up on or want to mention because it could jeopardize your relationship.
Have I convinced you yet that therapy could be beneficial in your life? If you want to find a therapist near you, consider checking out Psychology Today and use their Therapist Finder tool. I love that you can search for different specialties to find the right fit for what you’re dealing with.
Remember, you can always change therapists if you don’t click with the first one you see. It’s so important to find the right fit for you.
Going to therapy is something that I truly believe everyone can benefit from. Whatever you may be struggling with in life, therapy can help. Or if you just want to make your mental health and well-being a priority in your life, definitely consider finding a therapist today.