4 Myths about Psychotherapy You Should Know Before You Go

For many people, going to therapy is a hot-button issue. The idea somehow implies that a person in therapy is weak, unable to manage their problems, downright “crazy,” or just seeking attention. But regardless of your feelings, you almost certainly know and care about someone who is currently in therapy or has been at some point.

Psychotherapy can be an instrumental tool for growth and healing. If you have been wondering about therapy for yourself or someone you love, here are four myths to be aware of:

Myth 1: If you go to therapy, you must be unstable or weak.

The truth: Some of the healthiest people I know are in therapy.

A therapist’s office is a place where you can float ideas to a trained professional who will not judge your decisions or desires. If a pattern of behavior is a problem for you, your therapist can help you explore and uncover the underlying cause(s), and support you enthusiastically as you build more productive habits and work to reach your goals.

Myth 2: Therapy takes a long time.

The truth: Some complex issues may require time to sort out. Some people choose to stay in therapy for extended periods to better understand themselves and their thought processes, even after the issue that brought them to therapy has been addressed. And while some methods of psychotherapy, such as psychoanalysis, do emphasize a prolonged process of exploring unconscious desires and family dynamics, many proven therapeutic interventions are short-term.

Myth 3: You lie down on a couch and talk to an anonymous person who takes notes.

The truth: Most therapists do have couches in their offices. But many people in therapy choose to sit and talk to their therapist, who, as it happens, responds! Psychotherapy is a relationship and a dialogue.

Myth 4: A therapist is just a paid friend.

The truth: Indeed, a therapist should be someone you come to trust will hold your sentiments in confidence. Hopefully your skilled therapist will be someone whose company you enjoy, as finding a good fit is probably the most important component to successful therapy. But make no mistake, your therapist is a professional. Rigorous clinical training is required in order to become a licensed psychotherapist.

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Permission to publish granted by Alena Gerst, LCSW, RYT, therapist in New York City, New York.