OVER MY 18+ YEARS IN PRACTICE, I HAVE HEARD VARIOUS MISCONCEPTIONS REGARDING THERAPY AND COUNSELING. THERE ARE MANY REASONS WHY SOME PEOPLE ARE RELUCTANT TO SEEK HELP WHEN THEY ARE STRUGGLING WITH DIFFICULT EMOTIONS OR LIFE TRANSITIONS. MANY OF THOSE REASONS ARE BASED ON MISINFORMATION. LET’S GO AHEAD AND “FACT-CHECK” THE INACCURATE INFORMATION THAT CAUSES PEOPLE TO BE HESITANT TO SEEK THERAPY.
FACT OR FICTION #1: THERAPY IS FOR PEOPLE WITH “SERIOUS” ISSUES. ONLY “CRAZY” PEOPLE GO TO THERAPY.
FICTION! SOME PEOPLE BELIEVE THAT YOU MUST BE DIAGNOSED WITH A PSYCHOLOGICAL DISORDER OR BE STRUGGLING PROFOUNDLY IN ORDER TO SEEK THERAPY. FAR TOO OFTEN, PEOPLE WAIT UNTIL THINGS ARE REALLY BAD TO SEEK HELP. IT IS KIND OF LIKE WAITING UNTIL YOUR PHYSICAL HEALTH IS REALLY BAD TO GO TO THE DOCTOR. PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL HEALTH ISSUES BECOME MORE DIFFICULT TO TREAT THE LONGER SOMEONE WAITS. EMOTIONAL CONCERNS THAT HAVE BEEN ALLOWED TO GO UNTREATED FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME CREATE A LONGER TREATMENT AND RECOVERY PROCESS FOR THE CLIENT. OFTEN, CONCERNS THAT COULD HAVE BEEN EASILY RESOLVED IN A FEW SESSIONS, WILL TAKE MUCH LONGER WHEN SOMEONE WAITS TO SEEK HELP.
PEOPLE HAVE VARIED REASONS FOR SEEING A THERAPIST INCLUDING RELATIONSHIPS CONCERNS, LOSS OR GRIEF, STRESS, DEPRESSION, ANXIETY, OR LIFE TRANSITIONS. MANY TIMES, THE PRIMARY ISSUE IS SITUATIONAL. IT IS IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND THAT STRESS IS STRESS, WHETHER IT IS GOOD OR BAD. FOR INSTANCE, GETTING MARRIED, LOSING A JOB, GETTING A NEW JOB, HAVING A BABY, MOVING, OR GRADUATING ARE STRESSFUL LIFE TRANSITIONS THAT CAN BE COMPLICATED TO NAVIGATE ALONE. THIS AREA ALSO LIFE EVENTS THAT MANY PEOPLE DON’T FEEL WARRANT PROFESSIONAL HELP. THERE IS NO SHAME IN WANTING TO FEEL BETTER, DO BETTER, OR BE BETTER. THE HEALTHIEST PEOPLE ARE THOSE THAT CAN IDENTIFY THE ASPECTS OF THEMSELVES THAT THEY NEED TO WORK ON IN ORDER TO LEAD A HEALTHIER, HAPPIER LIFE.
FACT OR FICTION #3: HOW CAN THERAPY ACTUAL WORK? THEY JUST LISTEN TO ALL MY PROBLEMS.
FICTION!: ALTHOUGH MOST THERAPISTS ARE GOOD LISTENERS, VERY SUPPORTIVE, AND EMPATHETIC, THEY ALSO CHALLENGE AND EDUCATE CLIENTS. MOST THERAPISTS ASSIGN HOMEWORK TASKS TO WORK ON ACHIEVABLE GOALS THERAPY CAN BE UNCOMFORTABLE AT TIMES AND IT SHOULD BE. REMAINING IN A COMFORT ZONE IS OFTEN WHAT CREATES ISSUES FOR A CLIENT. COMFORTABLE DOESN’T ALWAYS MEAN GOOD. THERAPY TAKES WORK AND PRACTICE. THINK OF IT LIKE TRAINING FOR A MARATHON. NOT MANY PEOPLE CAN GO OUT AND RUN A MARATHON. YOU HAVE TRAIN FOR IT. FINDING EMOTIONAL BALANCE TAKES TIME, TRAINING, PATIENCE AND PRACTICE.
FACT OR FICTION #4: THERAPISTS ARE ALL ABOUT THE MONEY. IT IS TOO EXPENSIVE.
FICTION! MOST THERAPISTS GO INTO THIS LINE OF WORK DUE TO PERSONAL LIFE EXPERIENCES AND A DEEP DESIRE TO HELP. THERAPISTS GENUINELY CARE ABOUT HELPING OTHERS MAKE SIGNFICANT CHANGES IN THEIR LIVES. IF THEY HAD A DESIRE TO BE WEALTHY, THEY WOULD HAVE FOUND ANOTHER LINE OF WORK. UNDERSTANDING AND ACCEPTING THE COST OF THERAPY COMES DOWN TO EACH INDIVIDUAL’S PERSPECTIVE RELATED TO THE THINGS THEY VALUE IN THEIR LIVES. EMOTIONAL, SPIRITUAL, AND PHYSICAL HEALTH CAN ALL BE IMPROVED THROUGH THERAPY.
FACT OR FICTION #5: THERAPY IS UNNECESSARY WHEN YOU CAN JUST TALK TO GOOD FRIENDS.
FICTION!: WHEN SOMEONE IS STRUGGLING, SUPPORT FROM FRIENDS AND FAMILY IS VITAL. FRIENDS AND FAMILY CAN OFFER WISDOM AND SUPPORT DURING DIFFICULT TIMES, BUT THERAPY DIFFERS FROM THE SUPPORT OF A LOVED ONE IN MANY WAYS.
FIRST, THERAPISTS ARE HIGHLY TRAINED PROFESSIONALS WHO HAVE DEVOTED MANY YEARS OF EDUCATION AND PRACTICE TO LEARNING HOW TO TREAT INDIVIDUALS CHALLENGED WITH VARIOUS EMOTIONAL OR RELATIONAL DIFFICULTIES.
SECOND, WHEN SHARING WITH FRIENDS OR FAMILY, OFTEN WE HOLD BACK FOR FEAR OF JUDGEMENT OR SHAME. THE THERAPEUTIC RELATIONSHIP IS ONE BUILT ON TRUST, RESPECT, AND VULNERABILITY. BECAUSE YOUR THERAPIST IS SEPARATE FROM YOUR EVERYDAY LIFE, THEY CAN OFFER AN UNBIASED, NON-JUDGMENTAL PERSPECTIVE.
FINALLY, FRIENDS AND FAMILY ARE NOT LEGALLY BOUND “SECRET-KEEPERS”. THERAPY IS CONFIDENTIAL. LICENSED MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS ARE LEGALLY AND ETHICALLY BOUND TO PROTECT CLIENT PRIVACY. NOTHING THAT IS SAID IN COUNSELING CAN BE RELEASED TO ANYONE WITHOUT WRITTEN CONSENT. THE U.S. SUPREME COURT HAS RULED THAT THE CONFIDENTIAL RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN A PSYCHOTHERAPIST AND A CLIENT IS PRIVILEGED. TO LEARN MORE, SEE HTTP://WWW.APA.ORG/ABOUT/OFFICES/OGC/AMICUS/JAFFEE.ASPX
THE ONLY TIMES CONFIDENTIALITY CAN BE BROKEN ARE FOR THE REASONS BELOW, WHICH APPLY TO EVERY CLIENT/PATIENT.
· A SUSPECTED INCIDENT OF CHILD ABUSE OR NEGLECT MUST BE REPORTED.
· A THREAT OF IMMINENT PHYSICAL HARM BY A PATIENT MUST BE REPORTED TO LAW ENFORCEMENT AND TO THE PERSON(S) THREATENED.
· A MENTAL HEALTH EVALUATION MUST BE INITIATED FOR A PATIENT WHO IS IMMINENTLY DANGEROUS TO SELF OR TO OTHERS, OR WHO IS GRAVELY DISABLED, AS A RESULT OF A MENTAL DISORDER.
· A SUSPECTED THREAT TO NATIONAL SECURITY MUST BE REPORTED TO FEDERAL OFFICIALS.
FACT OR FICTION #6: PEOPLE WHO GO TO THERAPY ARE WEAK.
FICTION! LET’S JUST START BY SAYING THAT EVERYONE STRUGGLES AT SOME POINT IN THEIR LIVES. NO ONE ESCAPES THAT BURDEN. THE STRONGEST PEOPLE CAN ACKNOWLEDGE THAT AND ASK FOR HELP. UNFORTUNATELY, TOO MANY VIEW HAVING EMOTIONAL OR RELATIONAL CONCERNS AS A MORAL FAILING OR CHARACTER FLAW. SOME INDIVIDUALS HAVE LEARNED TO INTERNALIZE EMOTIONS AND FEELINGS BECAUSE THEY FEEL JUDGED, WEAK, OR INSIGNIFICANT. MANY PARTICIPATE IN UNHEALTHY COPING BEHAVIORS SUCH AS ALCOHOL AND SUBSTANCE USE, GAMBLING, POOR EATING HABITS, EXCESSIVE SPENDING, OR ISOLATION TO BE ABLE TOLERATE THESE EMOTIONS. HOWEVER, THESE UNHEALTHY COPING MECHANISMS ONLY EXACERBATE THE ISSUES AND CREATE NEW ONES. SEEKING PROFESSIONAL HELP IS A STRENGTH, NOT A WEAKNESS.
FACT OR FICTION #7: MY JOB WILL FIND OUT AND I WILL LOSE MY JOB.
FICTION! THERAPY IS CONFIDENTIAL UNLESS THE CIRCUMSTANCES OUTLINED IN #5 ARE IN PLAY. UNLESS A CONSENT FOR A RELEASE OF INFORMATION IS SIGNED, MEDICAL RECORDS REMAIN CONFIDENTIAL. MANY THERAPISTS OFFER A CASH OPTION TO ALLOW CLIENTS TO NOT USE THEIR INSURANCE, IF THEY CHOOSE.
FACT OR FICTION #8: THERE IS NOTHING WE CAN DO ABOUT THE PAST.
FICTION! ALTHOUGH THE PAST CANNOT BE CHANGED, CLIENTS CAN WORK TO UNDERSTAND, LEARN AND GROW FROM THOSE EXPERIENCES. EVENTS FROM OUR PAST ARE WHAT CREATE THE LENS IN WHICH WE VIEW THE WORLD THROUGH. IF A CLIENT CANNOT UNDERSTAND WHY THEY HAVE CERTAIN THOUGHTS, FEELINGS, OR BEHAVIORS, NEGATIVE EXPERIENCES WILL CONTINUE TO OCCUR. CLIENTS WORK TO GET TO A PLACE OF ACCEPTANCE OF THEIR PAST LIFE EXPERIENCES. ONCE THERE IS ACCEPTANCE, THERE IS THE ABILITY TO MAKE CHANGES.
FACT OR FICTION #9: MEDICATION IS ENOUGH. I DON’T NEED THERAPY.
FICTION! MEDICATION IS VERY HELPFUL FOR MANY PEOPLE STRUGGLING WITH BIOCHEMICAL CONCERNS SUCH AS DEPRESSION, ANXIETY, OR MOOD DISORDERS. HOWEVER, THERE ARE OTHER ASPECTS OF A CLIENT’S BEHAVIORS THAT MAKE THERAPY AND MEDICATION THE MOST EFFECTIVE TREATMENT OPTION. RESEARCH HAS SHOWN THAT MEDICATION WHEN COMBINED WITH THERAPY HAS THE BEST LONG-TERM TREATMENT OUTCOMES.
FINALLY, IT IS IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER THAT THE THERAPEUTIC RELATIONSHIP IS VITAL TO THE SUCCESS OF THERAPY. FINDING THE RIGHT FIT WITH A THERAPIST CAN SOMETIMES PROVE DIFFICULT. THAT DOES NOT MEAN THAT THERAPY DOESN’T WORK. THERAPISTS ARE TRAINED TO ADDRESS THESE CONCERNS, WITHOUT JUDGEMENT, AND WORK TO FIND THE RIGHT FIT FOR EVERY CLIENT.
FACT OR FICTION #1: THERAPY IS FOR PEOPLE WITH “SERIOUS” ISSUES. ONLY “CRAZY” PEOPLE GO TO THERAPY.
FICTION! SOME PEOPLE BELIEVE THAT YOU MUST BE DIAGNOSED WITH A PSYCHOLOGICAL DISORDER OR BE STRUGGLING PROFOUNDLY IN ORDER TO SEEK THERAPY. FAR TOO OFTEN, PEOPLE WAIT UNTIL THINGS ARE REALLY BAD TO SEEK HELP. IT IS KIND OF LIKE WAITING UNTIL YOUR PHYSICAL HEALTH IS REALLY BAD TO GO TO THE DOCTOR. PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL HEALTH ISSUES BECOME MORE DIFFICULT TO TREAT THE LONGER SOMEONE WAITS. EMOTIONAL CONCERNS THAT HAVE BEEN ALLOWED TO GO UNTREATED FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME CREATE A LONGER TREATMENT AND RECOVERY PROCESS FOR THE CLIENT. OFTEN, CONCERNS THAT COULD HAVE BEEN EASILY RESOLVED IN A FEW SESSIONS, WILL TAKE MUCH LONGER WHEN SOMEONE WAITS TO SEEK HELP.
PEOPLE HAVE VARIED REASONS FOR SEEING A THERAPIST INCLUDING RELATIONSHIPS CONCERNS, LOSS OR GRIEF, STRESS, DEPRESSION, ANXIETY, OR LIFE TRANSITIONS. MANY TIMES, THE PRIMARY ISSUE IS SITUATIONAL. IT IS IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND THAT STRESS IS STRESS, WHETHER IT IS GOOD OR BAD. FOR INSTANCE, GETTING MARRIED, LOSING A JOB, GETTING A NEW JOB, HAVING A BABY, MOVING, OR GRADUATING ARE STRESSFUL LIFE TRANSITIONS THAT CAN BE COMPLICATED TO NAVIGATE ALONE. THIS AREA ALSO LIFE EVENTS THAT MANY PEOPLE DON’T FEEL WARRANT PROFESSIONAL HELP. THERE IS NO SHAME IN WANTING TO FEEL BETTER, DO BETTER, OR BE BETTER. THE HEALTHIEST PEOPLE ARE THOSE THAT CAN IDENTIFY THE ASPECTS OF THEMSELVES THAT THEY NEED TO WORK ON IN ORDER TO LEAD A HEALTHIER, HAPPIER LIFE.
FACT OR FICTION #3: HOW CAN THERAPY ACTUAL WORK? THEY JUST LISTEN TO ALL MY PROBLEMS.
FICTION!: ALTHOUGH MOST THERAPISTS ARE GOOD LISTENERS, VERY SUPPORTIVE, AND EMPATHETIC, THEY ALSO CHALLENGE AND EDUCATE CLIENTS. MOST THERAPISTS ASSIGN HOMEWORK TASKS TO WORK ON ACHIEVABLE GOALS THERAPY CAN BE UNCOMFORTABLE AT TIMES AND IT SHOULD BE. REMAINING IN A COMFORT ZONE IS OFTEN WHAT CREATES ISSUES FOR A CLIENT. COMFORTABLE DOESN’T ALWAYS MEAN GOOD. THERAPY TAKES WORK AND PRACTICE. THINK OF IT LIKE TRAINING FOR A MARATHON. NOT MANY PEOPLE CAN GO OUT AND RUN A MARATHON. YOU HAVE TRAIN FOR IT. FINDING EMOTIONAL BALANCE TAKES TIME, TRAINING, PATIENCE AND PRACTICE.
FACT OR FICTION #4: THERAPISTS ARE ALL ABOUT THE MONEY. IT IS TOO EXPENSIVE.
FICTION! MOST THERAPISTS GO INTO THIS LINE OF WORK DUE TO PERSONAL LIFE EXPERIENCES AND A DEEP DESIRE TO HELP. THERAPISTS GENUINELY CARE ABOUT HELPING OTHERS MAKE SIGNFICANT CHANGES IN THEIR LIVES. IF THEY HAD A DESIRE TO BE WEALTHY, THEY WOULD HAVE FOUND ANOTHER LINE OF WORK. UNDERSTANDING AND ACCEPTING THE COST OF THERAPY COMES DOWN TO EACH INDIVIDUAL’S PERSPECTIVE RELATED TO THE THINGS THEY VALUE IN THEIR LIVES. EMOTIONAL, SPIRITUAL, AND PHYSICAL HEALTH CAN ALL BE IMPROVED THROUGH THERAPY.
FACT OR FICTION #5: THERAPY IS UNNECESSARY WHEN YOU CAN JUST TALK TO GOOD FRIENDS.
FICTION!: WHEN SOMEONE IS STRUGGLING, SUPPORT FROM FRIENDS AND FAMILY IS VITAL. FRIENDS AND FAMILY CAN OFFER WISDOM AND SUPPORT DURING DIFFICULT TIMES, BUT THERAPY DIFFERS FROM THE SUPPORT OF A LOVED ONE IN MANY WAYS.
FIRST, THERAPISTS ARE HIGHLY TRAINED PROFESSIONALS WHO HAVE DEVOTED MANY YEARS OF EDUCATION AND PRACTICE TO LEARNING HOW TO TREAT INDIVIDUALS CHALLENGED WITH VARIOUS EMOTIONAL OR RELATIONAL DIFFICULTIES.
SECOND, WHEN SHARING WITH FRIENDS OR FAMILY, OFTEN WE HOLD BACK FOR FEAR OF JUDGEMENT OR SHAME. THE THERAPEUTIC RELATIONSHIP IS ONE BUILT ON TRUST, RESPECT, AND VULNERABILITY. BECAUSE YOUR THERAPIST IS SEPARATE FROM YOUR EVERYDAY LIFE, THEY CAN OFFER AN UNBIASED, NON-JUDGMENTAL PERSPECTIVE.
FINALLY, FRIENDS AND FAMILY ARE NOT LEGALLY BOUND “SECRET-KEEPERS”. THERAPY IS CONFIDENTIAL. LICENSED MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS ARE LEGALLY AND ETHICALLY BOUND TO PROTECT CLIENT PRIVACY. NOTHING THAT IS SAID IN COUNSELING CAN BE RELEASED TO ANYONE WITHOUT WRITTEN CONSENT. THE U.S. SUPREME COURT HAS RULED THAT THE CONFIDENTIAL RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN A PSYCHOTHERAPIST AND A CLIENT IS PRIVILEGED. TO LEARN MORE, SEE HTTP://WWW.APA.ORG/ABOUT/OFFICES/OGC/AMICUS/JAFFEE.ASPX
THE ONLY TIMES CONFIDENTIALITY CAN BE BROKEN ARE FOR THE REASONS BELOW, WHICH APPLY TO EVERY CLIENT/PATIENT.
· A SUSPECTED INCIDENT OF CHILD ABUSE OR NEGLECT MUST BE REPORTED.
· A THREAT OF IMMINENT PHYSICAL HARM BY A PATIENT MUST BE REPORTED TO LAW ENFORCEMENT AND TO THE PERSON(S) THREATENED.
· A MENTAL HEALTH EVALUATION MUST BE INITIATED FOR A PATIENT WHO IS IMMINENTLY DANGEROUS TO SELF OR TO OTHERS, OR WHO IS GRAVELY DISABLED, AS A RESULT OF A MENTAL DISORDER.
· A SUSPECTED THREAT TO NATIONAL SECURITY MUST BE REPORTED TO FEDERAL OFFICIALS.
FACT OR FICTION #6: PEOPLE WHO GO TO THERAPY ARE WEAK.
FICTION! LET’S JUST START BY SAYING THAT EVERYONE STRUGGLES AT SOME POINT IN THEIR LIVES. NO ONE ESCAPES THAT BURDEN. THE STRONGEST PEOPLE CAN ACKNOWLEDGE THAT AND ASK FOR HELP. UNFORTUNATELY, TOO MANY VIEW HAVING EMOTIONAL OR RELATIONAL CONCERNS AS A MORAL FAILING OR CHARACTER FLAW. SOME INDIVIDUALS HAVE LEARNED TO INTERNALIZE EMOTIONS AND FEELINGS BECAUSE THEY FEEL JUDGED, WEAK, OR INSIGNIFICANT. MANY PARTICIPATE IN UNHEALTHY COPING BEHAVIORS SUCH AS ALCOHOL AND SUBSTANCE USE, GAMBLING, POOR EATING HABITS, EXCESSIVE SPENDING, OR ISOLATION TO BE ABLE TOLERATE THESE EMOTIONS. HOWEVER, THESE UNHEALTHY COPING MECHANISMS ONLY EXACERBATE THE ISSUES AND CREATE NEW ONES. SEEKING PROFESSIONAL HELP IS A STRENGTH, NOT A WEAKNESS.
FACT OR FICTION #7: MY JOB WILL FIND OUT AND I WILL LOSE MY JOB.
FICTION! THERAPY IS CONFIDENTIAL UNLESS THE CIRCUMSTANCES OUTLINED IN #5 ARE IN PLAY. UNLESS A CONSENT FOR A RELEASE OF INFORMATION IS SIGNED, MEDICAL RECORDS REMAIN CONFIDENTIAL. MANY THERAPISTS OFFER A CASH OPTION TO ALLOW CLIENTS TO NOT USE THEIR INSURANCE, IF THEY CHOOSE.
FACT OR FICTION #8: THERE IS NOTHING WE CAN DO ABOUT THE PAST.
FICTION! ALTHOUGH THE PAST CANNOT BE CHANGED, CLIENTS CAN WORK TO UNDERSTAND, LEARN AND GROW FROM THOSE EXPERIENCES. EVENTS FROM OUR PAST ARE WHAT CREATE THE LENS IN WHICH WE VIEW THE WORLD THROUGH. IF A CLIENT CANNOT UNDERSTAND WHY THEY HAVE CERTAIN THOUGHTS, FEELINGS, OR BEHAVIORS, NEGATIVE EXPERIENCES WILL CONTINUE TO OCCUR. CLIENTS WORK TO GET TO A PLACE OF ACCEPTANCE OF THEIR PAST LIFE EXPERIENCES. ONCE THERE IS ACCEPTANCE, THERE IS THE ABILITY TO MAKE CHANGES.
FACT OR FICTION #9: MEDICATION IS ENOUGH. I DON’T NEED THERAPY.
FICTION! MEDICATION IS VERY HELPFUL FOR MANY PEOPLE STRUGGLING WITH BIOCHEMICAL CONCERNS SUCH AS DEPRESSION, ANXIETY, OR MOOD DISORDERS. HOWEVER, THERE ARE OTHER ASPECTS OF A CLIENT’S BEHAVIORS THAT MAKE THERAPY AND MEDICATION THE MOST EFFECTIVE TREATMENT OPTION. RESEARCH HAS SHOWN THAT MEDICATION WHEN COMBINED WITH THERAPY HAS THE BEST LONG-TERM TREATMENT OUTCOMES.
FINALLY, IT IS IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER THAT THE THERAPEUTIC RELATIONSHIP IS VITAL TO THE SUCCESS OF THERAPY. FINDING THE RIGHT FIT WITH A THERAPIST CAN SOMETIMES PROVE DIFFICULT. THAT DOES NOT MEAN THAT THERAPY DOESN’T WORK. THERAPISTS ARE TRAINED TO ADDRESS THESE CONCERNS, WITHOUT JUDGEMENT, AND WORK TO FIND THE RIGHT FIT FOR EVERY CLIENT.