In the modern world, the concept of going to see a therapist has become much more prevalent than at any other point in history. In the past, if people did seek help from a therapist, they often made efforts to hide it.
Families may have used euphemisms when discussing therapist visits or would simply not speak of it at all. Although times have changed and individual therapy is frequently freely discussed now, many people still fear the stigma that they believe may come with attending therapy.
In reality, this stigma comes from a wide range of myths about individual therapy and misunderstandings that contribute to a distorted view of how the process works and who can benefit.
Here’s an overview of some misconceptions about therapy and why you should not concern yourself with the perceived stigma of visiting a therapist.
Understanding Stigma in Mental Health
When something has a “stigma” attached, it means that people associate it with shame or disgrace. Some people view therapy as shameful because of common misconceptions, such as:
- That therapy is only for people who are “failing”
- That people who need therapy are “weak”
- That therapy is a replacement for actual coping mechanisms
This tendency to stigmatize mental health care goes all the way back to the ancient world.
From the belief that mental health troubles were associated only with criminals (Greece) to their attribution to demonic possession (the Christian empire), it is no wonder that some of these negative connotations persist to this day.
To understand why individual therapy is not something to be ashamed of, it is important to first understand the myths that are fueling this concept.
Debunking Myths About Individual Therapy
Myth: Therapy is only for people with severe mental illness.
Reality: If you are struggling with severe mental illness, therapy can be a powerful method of learning coping mechanisms and addressing the root causes of problematic behaviors.
But, therapy is not limited to illness or “fixing problems.” Anyone can benefit from individual therapy, as it teaches individuals how they think about the world and themselves—which may inform the decisions they make and the opinions they hold.
Myth: Going to therapy means you’re weak or flawed.
Reality: Going to therapy does not mean that you are weak or that you have failed. Instead, it is a sign that you are serious about improving your life for yourself and others around you, gaining the skills you need to succeed. The strongest choice a person can make is take accountability for themselves and their actions, and actively seek improvement.
Myth: Therapy is only for talking about problems; it doesn’t actually help.
Reality: Some types of therapy center around talking; if this type of engagement will be helpful to you, it is likely that your therapist will recommend talk-based work.
This, and other therapy methods, will also equip participants with coping skills and practices that they can apply in their everyday lives. Therapists do not intend for a person to be reliant on them; instead, they want them to succeed and be able to manage issues independently.
Normalizing Therapy as Self-Care
Therapy is about taking charge of your life and getting help from an expert to learn those skills and strategies that will help direct your path. In this way, therapy is no different than other forms of self-care, such as exercising regularly, eating healthy, and seeing the doctor and dentist (yes, even when nothing seems to be wrong).
You are not expected to understand all of the minute processes that are happening in your body to keep you healthy or that make you feel ill, which is why you visit the doctor.
Therefore, it is also not reasonable to expect that you will always be able to develop coping mechanisms and healthy mental health habits without guidance from a professional when needed, either.
In the absence of illness, you certainly don’t feel shame consulting a doctor to do preventive blood work or a personal trainer to learn how to safely perform exercises, and neither should you feel that way when seeking professional therapy to improve your mental health and well-being!
Try Individual Therapy to Improve Your Well-Being
Individual therapy is not a sign of failure or weakness; it is a proactive approach to mental health that demonstrates courage and accountability to oneself.
The team at Village Counseling is always happy to help individuals improve their lives, whether that means tackling mental health issues or doing a deep dive into one’s personality to learn more about what makes you tick.
Contact Village Counseling to schedule an individual therapy session and share what’s on your mind or experience a guided session to help you think.