Top Myths About Counseling in Houston
Therapy doesn’t have to be something that is shrouded in mystery. Many people have misconceptions about what therapy is all about or what it means if you need to go see a therapist.
The faulty beliefs about therapy come from many different areas of our lives. Perhaps we can remember certain movies that portrayed therapy a certain way? Or we heard our grandparents or parents tell us we don’t need to be airing our dirty laundry to a stranger. These beliefs can be generational and still impact how we view our own decision about whether or not we want to pursue therapy.
You’ve gotten to the point of recognizing you need a change, but you are trying to figure out what you need and what to expect if you start seeing someone for coaching or counseling in Houston, TX. But, you’ve heard some things about counseling that give you pause. Let’s talk about the top myths and what is accurate and what is not.
Therapists are simply just a friend you pay to listen to you complain.
Although therapists are empathetic and provide support, we can’t be your friends. In fact, it’s written in our ethical codes. Even though we do listen, we also listen for patterns and behaviors where you may be getting in your way and reflect those back to you.
If I can’t figure out my problems on my own, there is something wrong with me.
There is nothing wrong with asking for help. We live in a very individualistic society where there can sometimes be shame in asking for assistance, but in reality, we all need help sometimes and that’s okay.
Therapy will last for years.
Maybe this myth came from back in the day, with the old bearded man psychoanalyzing somebody for years? But nowadays, the goal of therapy is not to keep you in therapy forever, but to help you dig in to find your own strengths and resources to move forward in your life.
Only crazy people need therapy.
Unfortunately, this myth can perpetuate a lot of stigma about mental health in general. This can conjure up images of people behaving erratic or violently, when in reality people who are seeking out therapy are struggling with common life circumstances that we all experience from time to time, such as work stress, relationship problems, grief, loss, or self-esteem issues to name a few.
You shouldn’t expect to see real changes from going to therapy.
Although change does not happen overnight, therapy can help people develop healthier behaviors and self-awareness, improve relationships, and have a better understanding of themselves.
You might end up dating your therapist.
Nope. We can’t be your friend or your date as this would greatly impact the therapeutic relationship, and as mentioned earlier, it is also prohibited in our ethical codes.
So, as you see, therapy doesn’t have to be as scary as you might think. What other myths have you heard of?
If you are still unsure about finding a therapist in Houston, feel free to call me at (281) 858-3325 for a free 15-minute phone consultation. I’d be happy to answer your questions about online therapy or help direct you to the right person. If you are looking for help with anxiety or depression, you can read more about how I can help here.
