Five Lies About Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy is a world that has not yet been fully explored. There are many myths, half-truths, and insignificant lies about psychotherapy that people firmly believe in. Some people don’t really understand that in reality all our experiences are located in our mind, and the mind is again in our brain, and that the brain is a really complex organ that can function incorrectly.

It is perfectly normal for the mind not always to function at its maximum capacity. It is important to understand that caring for the  mind is a much more abstract matter than caring for other parts of the body. The brain is not only an organ but also a producer of intangible experiences. This may explain why some of its processes are treated with an injection or pill, while other processes are treated with other methods. One of these methods is psychotherapy.

Many people criticize psychotherapy without ever even trying it. Getting a sincere perspective on something is impossible for someone who has never experienced it. In addition to this, there are famous cartoons and clichés that have created prejudices against this treatment. What are these unfounded misunderstandings about psychotherapy that people so blindly believe in? Here are five of them.

1. Therapy should be used when there is a need to talk to someone

Sometimes we hear things like, “God is the best psychologist” or “I don’t need psychology because friends are for that”. Such sentences express the greatest lies about psychotherapy: that attending therapy would be like having a regular conversation with a psychologist.

It is true that  words are a fundamental tool in almost all psychotherapies. But therapists, however, initiate these dialogues with their patients to help them, not to talk about trivial things.

2. Therapy should only be provided during crises

Yes, most people only go to psychotherapy when they have a crisis. Most often, their reason for attending therapy is loss (such as divorce or the death of a loved one). At such times, the individual finds himself in need of professional help.

Psychotherapy can clearly help deal with such situations, acting as a guide for the patient so that he or she can heal properly. However, experiencing a crisis is not necessary for visiting a psychologist. Therapy can address a wide variety of situations, not just critical ones.

3. Only famous therapists are good

This is one of the biggest lies about psychotherapy. Many people believe that only extremely qualified professionals are good at their job. However, this is not always true.

For psychotherapy to work, the patient must be fully dedicated to it. By this we do not mean that it is not important that the Therapist is well trained. Not only famous and reputed therapists are good at their work.

4. Psychotherapy drives the same thing as a good friend

Our good friends are always interested and willing to help us if they find out we are not okay. We should not take friends for granted who are willing to listen and give us advice on our problems. Our friends help us because they only want the best. 

But there is a big difference, however, that one can provide companionship and a sense of warmth, while the other has the ability to find mental or mental health problems, and help deal with them. Only a trained Therapist will be able to do the latter.

5. It is a necessary sacrifice

This article on the lies of psychotherapy would not be complete without this cliché. Indeed, many people believe that therapy is an infinitely serious process in which a patient is analyzed and questioned. However, this could not be further from the truth. The patient is actually the star of the therapy. Psychotherapy only deals with the patient and his needs.

In fact, many people don’t know how interesting and fun this process can be. When a patient is truly committed to therapy and wants to heal, therapy becomes something the patient expects in advance. With the help of a well-trained and trusted professional, this process of self-discovery can be a truly enlightening experience.

People should know that psychotherapy is a viable option when they need help, or when they feel that life is not going the way they would like. It is also important to emphasize that there is nothing to be ashamed of when attending therapy. There is nothing wrong with the fact that a person wants to feel well,  so we should not let the psychotherapy of these clichés prevent us from embarking on this great journey.