Psychotherapy

People who have not yet experienced psychotherapy or have never seen or spoken with a psychotherapist may have a wrong idea of what psychotherapy really is. Therefore, we have identified the seven main myths about psychotherapy that, of course, are not true.

1. Psychotherapy is only for crazy people.

People engage in psychotherapy for various reasons. Some need help overcoming more serious issues such as depression, anxiety, or addiction. Others seek support in dealing with major life changes like job loss, divorce, or the death of a loved one. For others, psychotherapy can be beneficial in managing everyday challenges, such as parenting, balancing family and work, interpersonal relationships, etc.

The myth that therapy is only for "crazy" people is actually a stigma that is, unfortunately, still quite present. Because of it, individuals with problems often do not seek help in time, choosing instead to hide their struggles and distress within themselves.

2. If you need psychotherapy, it means you're weak.

Psychotherapy is an intense way of working on oneself, which requires a great deal of courage and inner strength. This is especially true when a person is facing severe distress, such as depression or anxiety. The truth is actually the opposite.

Desired changes cannot be achieved overnight, especially when it comes to altering emotional and behavioral patterns that we have been repeating since childhood. By choosing psychotherapy, you also take responsibility for your life.

3. Talking to a friend is just as good as talking to a therapist.

When we are in distress, support from family and friends is certainly important, but talking to a psychotherapist can offer much more. Psychotherapists have years of specialized education and experience, which have trained them to understand and solve complex problems. Thus, psychotherapists do not just provide conversation; they use various proven techniques and methods in their work.

We can also be more open with a psychotherapist than with friends and family members, as they are professionally bound to maintain confidentiality. This is why people often tell them things they have never shared with anyone else before.

4. People can overcome problems on their own if they are just persistent and positive enough.

Many people struggle with their problems for weeks, months, or even years before seeking appropriate professional help. Some conditions, such as depression, also have a biological component, making them even harder to self-treat. Seeking psychotherapy help does not mean that we have failed; it means that we are responsibly taking care of our mental health. When we break a leg, we don't put it in a cast ourselves, do we?

5. You pay a psychotherapist just to listen to your complaints.

Psychotherapy usually begins with the client talking about all the problems that led them to seek therapy. However, this is only the beginning. During therapy, other important topics are addressed, such as the broader context of the problem and any past attempts to deal with it. Psychotherapists sometimes assign homework, in the form of exercises, to reinforce newly learned skills between sessions. Thus, psychotherapy is not about the therapist just listening to the client's complaints, but about exploring issues together, setting goals, and monitoring the client's progress.

6. The therapist will blame your parents or childhood traumas for all your problems.

Different psychotherapy modalities devote varying degrees of attention to exploring past causes and understanding the client's problems. Often, understanding a person's past and recognizing their recurring behavioral patterns is important for effectively resolving current issues. In some cases, however, the therapist may focus solely on addressing the present — the current problems and their immediate causes.

7. You need to attend therapy for many years.

The duration of psychotherapy depends on the complexity of the problem as well as the client's willingness. Some people continue therapy long after they have successfully resolved the issue that brought them to therapy, as they recognize the benefits of therapy and wish to continue working on their personal development. Others choose to end psychotherapy once they solve or learn how to manage the problem they were dealing with. Both is fine. Sometimes, the duration also depends on the specific psychotherapy modality. Psychoanalysis, for example, emphasizes the importance of deeply processing unconscious content and patterns, while cognitive-behavioral therapy typically lasts only from 10 to 15 sessions.

7 myths about psychotherapy