Being in the field of mental health in the last 8 years has opened my eyes to the many stereotypes people have about therapy. Theses stereotypes, like most, are so incredibly harmful because people do not reach out for the help they so much need. So lets take a quick look at the 5 top stereotypes.
- Therapy is only for “crazy” people. First, off if we had the tools you learn in therapy by 8th grade there would be a lot less “crazy”. Therapy is for everyone who needs help, not just people who have severe mental health issues but for normal life stressors such as losing a pet, going through a break up, career difficulties, parenting help, life direction help, and so on. Also, people who are experiencing mental health issues usually acquire them because they did not process and get help for a life stressor that occurred in their life and it turned into a mental health issue. If you need help, seek help when you need it. It is a sign of strength, nothing less.
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- A therapist is like a friend that just listens to you and sides with you. Wrong! We are not sound boards, we are trained professionals that learned how to actively listen to your needs so that we can give you the best therapeutic and psychological tools you need to overcome your problems and lead a more productive and healthy lifestyle.
- Therapy is expensive. Hmmmm but we can get our hair done, nails done, buy expensive vehicles, go out to eat, buy designer clothes, shop on Amazon, get a message, pay for cell phones, pay for cable, and yes this list goes on but you get the point. So is it expensive? It truly comes down to your perception and priorities. Mental health should be a priority because without a healthy mental state, all the other stuff is just stuff.
- Therapy is all about your childhood. Yes, we carry over learned behaviors growing up and hold on to things in the past but the past in reality does not matter, today does. A good therapist will help you move away from the past and help you live in the moment so you can enjoy life and stay out of the past and future (which is not real, not right now anyways).
- A therapist has it all together. We try, but we have life stressors too. However, we are trained to balance our lives so we can be the best therapist for you. A great therapist knows how to use self-care and take a break when he or she needs too. Since therapist are people too we understand a lot of life issues you have and if we do not we are expert at empathizing and dropping our biases at the door. https://www.talkspace.com/blog/2015/10/what-i-wish-someone-had-told-me-about-how-therapy-actually-works/
So in all serious if you need help do not let stereotypes stop you. You are important and there is no reason to not get help and support that can help you today and for any future life stressors that may come your way. Cheers.
Meet Alyssa
Alyssa Warren is a blogger and a practicing psychotherapist at Innovative Direction in Pensacola, FL.