Six Common Misconceptions about Mental Health Therapy
and what to know to make it work for you
The misconceptions surrounding therapy are numerous, especially the belief that therapy is only for those with severe mental health issues. Really, therapy is for anyone and everyone. Even the most skilled and experienced therapists have their own therapists. The relationship between mental health practitioners and medical professionals is similar – you wouldn’t go to the hospital for a common cold, but you might need specialized help for certain issues. Therapy addresses a wide spectrum of concerns that interfere with our goals, from building healthy relationships to effective parenting, career advancement, and more.
It’s important for potential clients to understand that they don’t need to know exactly what’s “wrong” with them before beginning therapy. Many people hesitate to seek help because they feel they need to present a clear problem, but therapists are there to help uncover and explore those issues together. It’s a journey of self-discovery where the therapist and client work collaboratively to identify paths forward.
The therapist-client relationship is fundamental to successful therapy. Research consistently shows that the connection with your therapist is the most significant factor in therapy’s effectiveness – even more important than the specific therapeutic techniques used. This relationship creates a unique space where, for 45-55 minutes, the session is entirely focused on the client with no judgment. Finding a therapist you connect with is vital, and it’s perfectly acceptable to take advantage of free consultations with providers until you find the right fit. Not every therapist is for every person, and good therapists understand this and won’t take it personally if a client decides to work with someone else.
Many people abandon therapy when things start feeling worse, not realizing this is often a natural part of the healing process. One way to think about it is similar to physical therapy. When you start to rehab an old injury, it will likely hurt when you start moving it in ways that you haven’t before.
Or think about the junk drawer most people have somewhere in their home. It’s the place we shove things when we don’t know where else to put them! When you start therapy, it can feel overwhelming – like opening a junk drawer that’s become too full, or a china cabinet where plates are precariously balanced. Therapy sometimes involves opening doors to emotions and experiences we’ve avoided, which can initially increase discomfort before leading to healing. Understanding this process can help clients persist through challenging phases of therapy.
Another common misconception is that therapy “fixes” people once and for all. Mental health is an ongoing journey, not a destination. Just as we must continually attend to our physical health, our mental and emotional wellbeing requires ongoing care. We may develop coping strategies and make progress, but life will present new challenges that may require us to return to therapy or reapply what we’ve learned. There’s no failure in therapy – just different seasons of growth, healing, and learning, similar to how gardens flourish in some seasons and need more attention in others.
©️Mary Rothwell Intergrative Wellness
Thoughts on this topic? I’d love to hear from you! Comment below or email me at mary@maryrothwell.net.
If you would like to hear my full No Shrinking Violets podcast episode, Beyond the Couch: The Power of Therapy, where I talk with fellow therapist Laura Smith, check it out HERE.
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