Blog

3 Myths About Therapy Debunked

Despite 1 in 5 US adults experiencing mental illness in a given year, the number of people who go to therapy or counseling sessions doesn’t seem to match the stats. And a huge reason for the lack of reliance on therapy is the misconceptions surrounding the practice.

It’s only recently that mental illnesses have been destigmatized, and we need to move forward and stop treating therapy as a taboo subject as well. The best way to do so is to dispel baseless preconceived notions about therapy. Here are a few myths that add to the ever-growing problem.

Only Crazy People Need Therapy

The idea that therapy is reserved for people who are “crazy” or suffering debilitating mental health issues is an extremely harmful viewpoint to have. However, severe mental illnesses only amount for a small percentage of people who avail therapy, and the rest do so for everyday problems.

There’s no rule or test that you need to pass to be granted permission to seek therapy. You can do so for everyday problems such as spousal issues, family conflicts, or office burn out as well. The more people associate therapy with severe illnesses, the more they will be in denial about their mental stress.

Therapy Is For The Weak

The wisest people are those that don’t treat therapy as a last resort. Counseling isn’t just an option for destitute individuals who don’t have anywhere else to turn. And this thinking also pushes people away from therapy, since giving in means you’re too weak to deal with your problems.

Therapy isn’t a last resort and should never be treated as such. In fact, it should be recognized as a great way to strengthen your resolve to deal with your mental illness head-on. A counselor will give you the resources you need to stop feeling like your mental health has the upper hand on you. So, instead of making you weaker, it helps you come out stronger with a better understanding of your feelings.

My Counselor Will Share What We Talk About

It’s understandable to be apprehensive about sharing private information about yourself. Especially if they’re deeply hidden thoughts and feelings about your life. The constant fear that your secrets will be revealed is an understandable fear to have.

That is one of the main reasons you should entrust a counselor rather than a close friend or family with your secrets. Unlike a friend, your counselor is not legally allowed to share your information with anyone. All counselors have a confidentiality policy where they promise to never divulge any information to anyone without your consent. Instead of being fearful, the confidentiality agreement helps people feel more confident because they now have a legally binding deal that guarantees that no conversation will ever escape the counseling session.

Now that you feel more at ease with counseling sessions, you can get in touch with Serene Minds Counseling Service. We provide mental health services in Highland, ranging from individual to marriage counseling. Contact us today for more information.