By Swapna Viswanathan, Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
“I do not need therapy, I am not crazy,” and “I can just talk to my friend.”
How often have we heard these sentences? They are all too familiar, and it is particularly disheartening when they come from a loved one during a conversation in a hospital waiting room. This conversation brought out insights into several myths regarding Psychotherapy, which became a barrier to seeking support and prolonged suffering in many individuals.
You do not have to face difficult times alone; therapy can provide the support, healing, safe space, coping strategies, and exploration of root causes of behaviour and thought patterns, as well as the validation you need from a professional.
Myth 1: Psychotherapy is “just like talking to a friend”
Reality: Psychotherapists are highly trained professionals with specialized knowledge to support you in your healing. They create a safe space, remain non-judgmental, uphold confidentiality, remain neutral, employ specific interventions and assessments as needed, engage in continuous learning, acknowledge their own human biases, and provide unbiased therapy. They compartmentalize their emotions to provide the best therapeutic relationship and safe space for the client to process, feel validated, and heal.
Myth 2: Psychotherapy can fix the situation quickly
Reality: Psychotherapy or a psychotherapist does not provide solutions magically. It is a process that requires commitment and dedication from the individual. It is not a quick fix, and it might take a few or more therapy sessions to work on complex trauma, explore the root causes change thought and behaviour patterns significantly, and work on coping mechanisms.
Myth 3: Therapy is for “crazy” people
Reality: Psychotherapy or therapy is for anyone who is going through life stressors, such as work-related stress, relationship issues, situational challenges like a sudden loss or a significant life transition, trauma response, grief and loss, life transitions, psychological, emotional and mental health challenges. It is not only for those individuals with complex psychological challenges. At times, we as human beings go through difficult phases in life and need someone to provide a non-judgmental, safe space, offering validation, motivation, insights and empathy.
Myth 4: Therapy means “just venting out for 50 minutes to someone who listens”
Reality: Therapy is not just about venting out; it’s a collaborative process in which the individual actively works with their therapist to achieve their goals. Through meaningful conversations, therapists help individuals solve problems, explore the reasons behind behavioural patterns, and ask strategic questions that lead to insights, enabling them to find solutions to their problems on their own. Homework given after the therapy session is carefully tailored to each
individual’s specific needs, encouraging their active participation in the healing process.
Myth 5: “All the therapy modalities are the same and so are the therapists.”
Reality: Psychotherapy encompasses various therapy modalities, each with its unique approach and techniques. Based on the unique needs of the individual, their therapist selects specific modalities for their treatment plan. For instance, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) helps change their negative thought patterns and behaviours; Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT) helps individuals manage emotional distress, interpersonal effectiveness and mindfulness; Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR) is effective for complex trauma as well as anxiety disorders, dissociative disorders, eating disorders, depression, sleep problems, personality disorders, pain, and stress-induced physical disorders by processing the individual’s unprocessed distressed memories; Narrative Therapy throws light upon the stories we tell about ourselves; Gottman’s Method is designed for couples counselling; Solution-Focused Brief Therapy is goal-oriented; Internal Family Systems explores the different parts of the self.
Myth 6: Therapists only blame childhood trauma, parents and environment.
Reality: We explore childhood experiences and family dynamics to understand the root cause of the trauma or attachment style, and more, but blaming does not help to find solutions. Therapy can be helpful to understand how an individual can break their intergenerational trauma and develop new pathways to express.
Myth 7: “Therapy is expensive”
Reality: Therapy can be expensive, but there are also affordable options available. If you have work-related insurance, you can check if it covers the costs of psychotherapy. You can discuss with your therapist whether they have availability for pro-bono or sliding-scale fee clients. ‘Sliding scale availability’ refers to a system where the therapist adjusts their fees based on the client’s income, making therapy more affordable for those with lower incomes. Psychotherapists sometimes have sliding scale availability. You can also look for a student intern therapist
practicing under supervision who can provide therapy for low fees.
Psychotherapy can be helpful for many individuals. You can book a free 15-minute consultation with Swapna Viswathan, Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) to gauge if it is a good fit.
