7 Misconceptions About Therapy

The idea of starting therapy is often daunting and scary. Maybe you aren’t sure what to expect, or don’t know how a therapist may be able to help you. Or maybe it feels like no one will be able to help you with your problem, whether it’s work stress, parenting struggles, or conflicts with your spouse. 

These doubts and hesitations about therapy are very common. It doesn’t help that there is still a great deal of stigma surrounding mental health too! 

More often than not, people don’t talk openly about their experiences with therapy. There’s fear of seeming “weak” or “crazy.” There’s fear of judgement. Maybe there’s fear that a therapist really won’t be able to help, or that your life will always be this way. 

Because of this, we’ve decided to compile a list of 7 misconceptions about therapy. This list is by no means all inclusive, but it does shed some light on what to expect if you decide to start therapy. And hopefully, it will help with your decision as to whether or not therapy would be helpful for you!

1: Therapy is just like talking to a friend, except you pay them

This is a common misconception. People tend to think that therapy is just meant for venting, similar to the support you may receive from a good friend or family member. So, why is therapy different?

Therapists are trained to see what’s called the “clinical picture.” The clinical picture refers to a holistic view of an individual, and all the factors that may be causing distress. This allows us to help you get to the root of the problem, rather than simply addressing symptoms. Therapists are also trained in unique therapy modalities that help tackle problems and find solutions. A common example of this is cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT, which is helpful for anxiety. If you ask your therapist what modalities they practice, they will be able to give you some insight into their areas of expertise. 

The capacity to see the clinical picture, combined with the training and tools therapists are taught, help lead clients towards sustainable change. In other words, through training and experience, they help people build the life that they want to live!

2: Going to therapy is just going to make me feel worse about my problems

This is another misconception rooted in the stigma surrounding mental health. Oftentimes people have a mental picture of therapy, where they go in, talk about their problems, and the therapist “tells them” how to fix it. This is actually the opposite of what therapists do!

While a therapist may ask about your problems to search for root causes, an effective therapist will not judge you for your struggles. In fact, an effective therapist will build on your strengths and work with you to problem solve! 

Shame and judgment have no place in a therapy room; they are not helpful or effective in building the life you want to live. If you ever do feel judged or shamed by your therapist, it is important to bring this to their attention. Judgment and shame render therapy ineffective!

3: All a therapist will want to do is put me on medication

This is a misconception that also has some truth in it. As part of the clinical picture, your therapist may talk to you about the benefits of mental health medications. Oftentimes mental health medications can help take the edge off anxiety and depression symptoms to make therapy more effective. 

However, the important thing to note is that this discussion of medications should be a collaborative effort between you and your therapist. The collaboration piece is a crucial part of therapy treatment as a whole. And if you aren’t open to medications, no therapist is going to force you to take them!

Many people have had poor experiences with medication prescribers. Maybe you felt your doctor didn’t listen to you, or that the medication isn’t helping. Maybe the side effects from previous medications were very intense and overwhelming. An effective therapist should explore the topic of medications with you, go over the pros and cons, and support you in whatever your decision may be regarding the use of medication. 

4: If I actually went to therapy, I don’t know what I would talk about. Isn’t it going to be awkward?

This is another misconception with some truth in it. Starting therapy may feel awkward and uncomfortable, because starting anything new can feel awkward and uncomfortable! 

If the thought of sitting in a room with your therapist for an hour and not knowing what to talk about causes you anxiety, don’t fret. Most therapists are social creatures. In fact, one of the best parts of the job is getting to know so many different, unique people. A metaphor I often use to describe therapy to my clients is that a therapist is like an investigator. We pair up with our clients to explore thoughts, feelings, and problem behaviors, always curious about what is happening, and always willing to learn more. 

In other words, if you come to a therapy session thinking, “I have no idea what to talk about,” don’t stress. Your therapist will help keep the conversation moving so your time together is effective and meaningful!

5: I had something scary or bad happen to me. Isn’t talking about it going to make me feel worse?

This misconception is a powerful one, one that often causes people to carry their traumatic experiences alone for many years. And the fact of the matter is, trauma work in therapy isn’t pleasant. It can feel uncomfortable and overwhelming. So, why come to therapy after a scary or bad event? 

Traumatic experiences refer to any stressful life event that was very impactful. Trauma can take all sorts of different forms, from physical injury, fear of injury, or even fear for other people. Examples may include divorce, deaths, military service, sexual assault, or even a car wreck. 

When we go through trauma, it can impact us in a variety of ways. Sometimes trauma is so shocking to our nervous system, we experience what’s called trauma symptoms. Some common trauma symptoms include heightened awareness of the environment around you. Loud or sudden noises may startle you, crowded environments may feel overwhelming. You may constantly be on the lookout for danger, and struggle to let yourself relax. Tight chest, difficulty breathing, and racing thoughts are often signs of trauma as well. Maybe you find yourself thinking about your trauma more often than you’d like, or try to avoid thinking about it altogether.

If any of these symptoms sound like you, therapy can help bring you relief. Not only will a therapist give you some tools to manage your symptoms; they’ll also help rework your nervous system, allowing it to find relaxation and safety once again. There are many therapies that are supported by research that decrease trauma symptoms and increase overall quality of life. 

6: I’m worried my therapist is going to tell other people about my problems. Aren’t they going to share my business with others?

This is another common misconception that I so often hear from new clients. And rightfully so- no one wants their problems shared with the entire world! So, how does a therapist protect you and your information?

All therapists are required to maintain their client’s confidentiality, meaning that we can’t talk to just anyone about what you tell us! More often than not, information you share with your therapist will be kept private. A therapist may need to keep documentation, such as notes about your sessions and diagnostic assessments; this information is often kept on a secure medical platform, just as a doctor might use. For those that maintain paper records, they are required to be kept under lock and key. Clients are able to request their notes and paperwork at anytime, either during treatment or after. 
Cases where therapists need to break confidentiality, or tell others about you, are limited by our ethical codes and laws. These are special situations, where the health and safety of yourself or others is at risk. Some examples include:

• If you’re a risk to yourself, such as planning to die by suicide

• If you’re planning to hurt or kill other people

• If a child, elder, or someone with a mental disability is being abused or neglected

The last, most common reason a therapist may share your information is for consultation! Therapists often consult with fellow therapists and supervisors to tackle treatment obstacles and problems. Your therapist may talk to their supervisor or a co-worker about your case. In situations like this, your therapist only shares information that is relevant and necessary to the problem at hand. Consultation is a crucial part of being a therapist, as two therapist brains are often better than one!

7: I don’t need therapy! Therapy is just for crazy people.

This misconception is a big one, one that often scares people away from trying therapy in the first place. Some people come from families where mental health is never even talked about. Maybe you have a family member that struggled with mental health, who was viewed as the black sheep of the family because of it. 

There is a great deal of stigma surrounding mental health and mental health treatment. Going to therapy, taking medications, being hospitalized- sometimes mental health treatments bring judgements from others around us. Sometimes we even judge ourselves for it. 

Let me be the first to tell you, therapy is for anyone and everyone. There’s no “crazy” threshold you need to meet in order to come to therapy. Therapy, in the most basic sense, is mental health care. Just as you would go to the doctor for a broken arm, you should come to therapy for a broken mind. Whether it’s anxiety, depression, trauma-- there’s no requirement for how much pain and suffering you have to experience before coming to see us. We’ll be more than happy to help. 

Interested in Starting Therapy in Missouri?

If you’re interested in beginning therapy, we are here to support you and be with you on your journey. Our team of skilled therapists specialize in providing anxiety treatment, counseling for depression and grief counseling. Our Mid-MO therapists also provide counseling services for trauma therapy and PTSD treatment for adults, children, teens and more specifically also with survivors of sexual assault. We are able to meet with you at our counseling office in Columbia, MO. However, we also offer online counseling to anyone physically located in the state of Missouri. Our team is committed to supporting you throughout your therapy journey.