Welcome everyone! Have you ever had an idea of what you thought therapy was like? Maybe you have some preconceived notions and this is preventing you from going? Therapists on movies and tv and you wanted to know how accurate their depiction is. Or maybe you had some ideas and wanted to know if they were true or not. Here is a list of a few myths people have over therapists and the therapeutic process. For more information contact Zac here or at zberg@newgrowthpsychology.ca
7 Common Myths of Therapy
1) The therapist is going to tell me what my problems are and how to fix them.
You are the expert of you. My job is to look for themes present, and to help guide the discussion in that we can discover together a goal and how to achieve this goal. Its less about trying to fix you and more about help guiding and facilitating change. I often will use the metaphor of google maps or a navigator. We can show you options of where to go and ensuring we stay on the path, however, you are the one in the driver’s seat choosing the path. As well, change is more likely to happen when you are in the driver's seat, rather than someone else telling you what you should do. Everyone’s issues are unique and my job is to cater to your specific needs and goals.
2) Seeking therapy is a sign of weakness.
Quite the contrary, I believe that seeking therapy as a sign of strength. It can be quite intimating meeting with someone knew, booking an appointment and sharing issues that can be deep and personal. However, often, we encourage our friends or family to seek support when needed. As well, we ask for help when our car or house requires maintenance, when we don’t understand the materials on an upcoming test, or are lost and our map app isn’t working. Seeking therapy takes great courage with results that can be life changing.
3) Therapy is only for severe issues.
Sometimes we believe that our issues are not that severe or that others have issues that are far more serious than ours. We do not compare issues or rate some issues as more or less important. Just like there are no two snowflakes that are the same, everyone’s issues are different and our job is to help work through the issues that are impacting you. People come to therapy for a variety of reasons. Whether it’s for anxiety, loss or self-growth. If the issues are impacting your life, then lets decide together how important or severe this issue is to you and how you would like to address it.
4) You don't know who I am! How could you possibly help me!
You don't necessarily need to know everything about someone in order to provide support, a different perspective and guidance. Your Doctor isn’t expected to have experienced through every issue or condition you are coming in for. Our job is to better understand who you are and what you are looking for by asking the right questions and listening to what you need.
5) Talking about my problems is not going to help. Therapy does not work.
There is a plethora of research and studies supporting the efficacy of therapy. Organizations such as The Canadian Psychology Association (CPA), American Psychology Association (APA) and the National Library of Medicine posted a study indicating detailed information advocating the effectiveness of therapy. Feel free to talk to your therapist about how therapy works, the process and what to expect.
6) My therapist isn’t doing anything except writing notes, nodding and going “mmhmm”.
Generally, clients will speak more than therapists. Our role is to make connections, conceptualize and examine potential themes. We do this by actively listening, asking Socratic questions and remaining mindful to what and how you speak. This helps us to better understand, guide and provide the best treatment specifically for your goals.
7) Therapy is easy! All I have to do is show up.
Therapy is an active process. What you put in to therapy is what you will get out. As well, some issues take one session whereas others may take more. Just like how some Doctors and physiotherapists prescribe exercises outside of appointments, some therapists will assign homework to do outside of your session. Lastly, change requires intentional work and effort.
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