Busting Myths and Taking Names
Mental health is somewhat of a buzz word these days and with it comes a slew of myths and misconceptions. Some are decades old while others have surfaced in the more recent years. Either way, its important to bust the myths that make navigating these waters so damn hard. Here are just a few:
Myth #1: Therapy is the answer to my problems.
Therapy is not an answer to a problem. It is not that black and white, and sure as hell not that easy. Therapy is a process. It is a journey. It starts with a therapeutic alliance and through that unique relationship, you might finally feel validated or relieved to just have a space to express your inner dialogue with someone who is trained to listen. You might feel empowered to take steps or make changes to improve whatever circumstances or your quality of life. You may enter therapy for one reason but discover 10 other things that you want to work through. Sometimes peeling back one layer of your life opens your eyes to the other layers or wounds that have gone untouched. Therapy, in a sense, is more of a mystery than an answer.
Myth #2: Couples counseling is only for unhappy couples.
This one could not be further from the truth. We might even be inclined to say that the opposite is true. The unhappiest of couples have most likely waited too long to go to counseling, and therefore have a much steeper incline to get up than couples who seek help earlier in their relationship. So if your partner comes to you asking to go to couples counseling, rest assured that it does not necessarily mean your partner is unhappy or considering divorce. Seeing a couples therapist or counselor can be a refreshing, enriching, and enlightening experience. It is a beautiful opportunity to learn about yourself, your partner, and to get a pulse on the health of the relationship. The earlier a couple enters counseling, the better.
Myth #3: My issues aren’t bad enough to get help.
Your experiences and issues matter, period. Yes, people who suffer from PTSD or psychosis may have more severe symptoms to address, but that does not mean that someone processing a geographical move or new romantic relationship isn’t worthy of receiving help. The possibilities for therapy are endless and can look different for each person.
Myth #4: Seeing a therapist must mean I am crazy.
Crazy is a loaded term, but at the very least it is relative and if those seeking therapy are crazy than the ones providing it must be crazy too, right? Okay, in all seriousness the short answer here is NO, you are not crazy for seeing a therapist. In fact, participating in therapy might say many other things about you, such as you are self-aware, motivated to make changes, and not afraid to ask for help.
Myth #5: Aren’t therapists supposed to give advice?
Advice is given by friends, family members, or co-workers. Advice is the last thing a therapist should be giving, and here’s why. While a therapist facilitates conversations through prompting, asking questions and offering other perspectives, the main goal is not to tell you what to do. The goal is to empower you to discover the solution, strategy, or action that needs to be taken. YOU are the expert and the one with the power to influence the direction of your life. A therapist can help guide you as you explore options and possible outcomes, but ultimately the power is yours and your life is yours.
