The decision to seek help for your mental health issues can be intimidating. One of the biggest questions that people have before seeking help from a mental health professional is – what really goes on in a therapy session?
This article covers some common myths about therapy and mental health to help you understand what therapy is like, some common reasons for which people seek professional help, and a brief discussion of the therapist-client relationship for you to know what you can expect.
Common myths about therapy and mental health
Although there are more conversations about the importance of mental health, many myths and misconceptions remain prevalent and prevent people from seeking help. Knowing correct information about psychotherapy can make it less intimidating and inaccessible for many people.
Here are some myths about therapy that you should not believe:
Therapy simply involves talking to another person
A common misconception about psychotherapy is that it simply involves expressing your feelings and problems to a therapist. Many people equate it with a conversation they can have with their family or friends and prefer that over ‘talking’ to a stranger.
In reality, psychotherapy utilises scientific methods of intervention to help people change their thought patterns and behaviour, manage emotions and deal with different problems. Mental health professionals are trained to provide you with insights based on scientific theory, facilitate positive change, and be unbiased and fully present to understand your problems.
There is only one type of therapy
Another similar myth about therapy is that it is a one-size-fits-all talking cure. However, it is important to know that there are a range of therapeutic approaches that are designed to help people deal with different problems.
For example, the cognitive behavioural approach is particularly effective for anxiety-related issues such as social phobia, obsessive-compulsive disorder and panic disorder. On the other hand, trauma-related issues are often treated with approaches like prolonged exposure therapy and eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR).
Therapy is a lifelong commitment
Many people assume that they will have to continue therapy for years once they start. This thought can be particularly stressful if one is already concerned about the cost or the stigma attached to therapy.
However, the duration of psychotherapy will be different for each person depending on factors like the problems they want to address, the approach that their therapist takes, and how effective the intervention is for them. Some therapeutic approaches, such as cognitive behavioural therapy, can range from 6 to 20 sessions over only a few months.
Therapy is for ‘weak’ people
Lastly, a long-held belief about therapy is that it is for people who are not ‘strong enough’ to deal with the challenges of life. Therapy is also looked at as the last option before trying other (and often unempirical) means of solving one’s problems.
Wanting to seek help for a problem should be seen as a sign of strength rather than weakness. The decision to seek help for one’s mental health issues shows the resolve which one has for improving the quality of their life rather than being reflective of their shortcomings.
Which issues can you seek therapy for?
Another common myth about therapy is that it is only for “serious problems.” Many people question whether their problems ‘qualify’ for seeking help from a professional. There should be no shame in seeking help if you need it, no matter how small the problem might seem.
Therapy can benefit people experiencing a range of different situations like:
Anxiety and depression
Difficulty in dealing with challenges of everyday life
Job-related stress
Grief caused by an illness or the loss of a loved one
Significant changes in life such as retirement or unemployment
Trauma caused by different situations such as a car accident
Other than helping people navigate specific problems and situations, psychotherapy also facilitates the development of skills that can improve their overall quality of life. It can help people develop positive self-esteem, understand their inner self better, build constructive habits and resilience, improve communication skills and interpersonal relationships.
What is a therapeutic alliance?
The American Psychological Association defines a therapeutic alliance as “a cooperative working relationship between client and therapist, considered by many to be an essential aspect of successful therapy.” It is a composite of the following tenets:
The bond between the client and the therapist. It is constructed by the therapist’s style of relating to the client and what they are bringing forward and the client’s attitude towards the therapist.
The goals of therapy which are mutually constructed and agreed upon by the client and the therapist. These are considered to be the end goals of the therapeutic alliance i.e. what the client aims to achieve over the course of therapy.
The tasks which are performed by the client and the therapist to attain the goals set by them.
Additionally, the relationship between a client and therapist operates on ethical principles such as the maintenance of confidentiality, professional boundaries and orientation towards the welfare of the client. Naturally, therapy will be more beneficial if you can trust your therapist and are comfortable sharing your experiences and problems with them.
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