Debunking the Myths of Psychotherapy

Full text

Opinion
Volume 6 Issue 3 - March 2019
DOI: 10.19080/GJIDD.2019.06.555687
Glob J Intellect Dev Disabil
Copyright © All rights are reserved by Lubhana Malik Mental
Lubhana Malik Mental*
Department of Psychology, University of Delhi, India
Submission: Febuary 25, 2019; Published: March 05, 2019
*Corresponding author: Lubhana Malik Mental, Department of Psychology, University of Delhi, India
Glob J Intellect Dev Disabil 6(3): GJIDD.MS.ID.555687 (2019) 0047
Debunking the Myths of Psychotherapy
Global Journal of Intellectual
& Developmental Disabilities
ISSN: 2575-8586
Opinion
Just as you would not think twice about immediately
consulting a doctor when you have a physical ailment/issue,
you should immediately consult a therapist for a mental
health concern. But, do you? Most of the times, the answer to
this question is a ‘No’. The reason may lie in the fact that you
are aware of several myths related to therapy, and you may be
         
is leads to resistance to seek it and a misunderstanding of its
process and effectiveness. This blog is aimed at debunking the
common myths that are associated with therapy.
People who go for therapy are crazy
The reality is that the majority of people in therapy are
ordinary, everyday people dealing with ordinary, everyday
       
processing anger, improving relationships, working on self-
   

issues that bring people to therapy. There are many other issues
people go to therapy for, of course, which likewise are absolutely
normal.
Therapy is for the weak
The general perception people have is that if one is strong,
           
through an issue in life, just coping with it also requires immense
strength. Recognizing that you require therapy requires grit, and
so you have mustered courage to face, as well as address your
fears and emotional turmoil. That is actually a sign of strength.
Therapy is too expensive and takes forever
Therapy addresses/heals your emotional/mental issues,
       
   
health is not addressed it starts to manifest itself into physical
symptoms. Therapy should not be an unending process, therapy
should focus on goals and outcomes, and people should be able
           
naturally phase out of therapy. Good therapy has an end date.
Therapy is temporary because it equips you with tools that
 
therapy, and will teach you skills to use these tools so that you
can ‘be your own therapist’ when you are on your own.
Therapy is common sense
Common sense is wisdom that manifests itself over time
and applies to everyone in the society as a whole. But, therapy
provides insight, which is wisdom unique to you as an individual.
Therapy provides you a space in which you focus only on yourself
     
and guide you to achieve your goals.
Therapy is unnecessary when you can just talk to good
friends or family
There’s a pervasive belief in our culture that if you have the
support of a good friend and/or a close family member, a talk
with him/her can be a substitute for therapy. Social support is
important for everyone, especially when you’re super stressed.

therapist because you don’t have a reliable friend. Unlike friends
and family, therapists are unbiased to the situation and help you
become aware about your contribution to a problem you may be

they encourage you to consider all possible options so you can
make your own decisions. Therapists are highly professionals
who diagnose and treat cognitive, emotional, behavioural and
relational issues.
Keywords:

0048
Global Journal of Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities
How to cite this article: Lubhana Malik Mental. Debunking the Myths of Psychotherapy Glob J Intellect Dev Disabil, 2019; 6(3): 555686.
DOI: 10.19080/GJIDD.2019.06.555687
Therapy isn’t working unless the process leads to
emotional turmoil
Therapy often gets painted as a painful and miserable
process. But this picture glosses over the fact that therapy

life and can be very rewarding, which does not mean it needs to
be a painful process.
Therapy entails brainwashing
Some people believe that therapists push their ideas and
agendas on to their clients. However, a good therapist will
always help you rediscover or regain your voice, not lose it.
Good therapy always starts with creating a safe space to contain
everything a client brings, in terms of his/ her belief systems,
thoughts, values, perceptions, goals etc. It is about building trust
and safety, born from acceptance and ‘unconditional positive
regard”. This simply means that true safety and trust is built on
 
perspectives, so you are not chasing agreeance.
Therapy is just self-indulgence and makes people too
focused on themselves
           
          
announcement in airlines that please put on yourself before
you place it on your children. If we don’t prioritize ourselves,
we make other people suffer. It takes a lot of courage to look at
yourself, your feelings, and your relationships honestly.
Therapy just makes you dependent on your therapist
           
ultimately don’t need therapy anymore. This is the reason that
a therapist will not tell you what to do, rather help you develop
         
process in motion, by helping you identify choices, build decision
trees, back-track goals so that gradually you will be equipped to
carry on by yourself.
Talking about my problems, especially with a total
stranger, won’t change anything
Therapy is about discussing the problems in order to develop


alternative solutions. In other words, to work toward making

This requires the intervention of a trained therapist.
Therapy only deals with the past
     
you with problems you are having today. In some cases, this
may require to scan your past to shed light on similar patterns
or situations. This information helps us to understand what to
         
sometimes it can be useful to talk about your past, the process of
therapy depends on the aims and goals of the client.
If you feel that you are struggling to cope with life, constantly
feel sad, empty, helpless, alone or angry, therapy can help you to
identify the disconnect and equip you to resolve those issues so

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DOI: 10.19080/GJIDD.2019.06.555687