Overcoming the Stigma and Misconceptions Behind Therapy/Counseling
- Ava Johnson
- Jan 25, 2021
- 3 min read
When my doctor first recommended that I should visit a counselor, I was conflicted. The rational part of me knew that I could benefit from talking to someone and that it would help my mental health in the long run. However, the other part of me didn’t want to be the person that had to go to therapy since I believed I didn't need it. While I am now comfortable with going for therapy and with getting the help that I need, there is still a stigma behind mental health struggles and more specifically with seeking counseling. Concerns about how therapy is viewed should not stop you from taking this step in your life.
Misconceptions about Therapy/Counseling:
1. People who seek professional help for their mental health are crazy or weak:
“Just when I think significant progress is being made toward increasing the acceptance and positive perception of counseling, something will occur that will lead me to question that,” states Dr. Dana Gionta. She explains that she often has encounters with people who are influenced by the stigma behind counseling who call patients “crazy” and insult the institution of therapy. To be clear, if you go to counseling you are NOT crazy, you are NOT weak, and you are NOT a failure. These preconceived ideas can be harmful in and of themselves.
“According to a 2013 international study by Indiana University, stereotypes about mental illnesses are large contributors to the stigma that surrounds seeking help.” Therapy does not mean you need to be fixed. You are not a piece of machine that needs to be taken apart and put back together again, and it’s important to remember this.
2. There has to be a very clear, definitive breakdown or experience leading us to therapy:
While there is usually a reason behind needing things to change, a person does not need a definitive event to make it okay to see a therapist. It’s always okay to make the decision to go to counseling. Even if there is a reason or event behind your decision to seek professional help, those reasons can change. Your reason to continue with therapy can change.
3. There is a predetermined timeline for therapy:
Therapy is not something you can put a timeline on. Everyone’s experience will be different. “Personally, I've been in therapy for six months and counting -- I'm very happy with my therapist but do believe that there will come a point where I won't have to go as frequently. I have a friend who has been going for over two years, and I know someone who went for two months, twice a week for guidance through a traumatic experience. The length of therapy and the frequency of visits is something one works out with their therapist, having full control of whether or not to stop at any point,” explains Sahaj Kohli.
Sahaj Kohli founded Brown Girl Therapy, a mental health community
4. You should feel bad for people who are in therapy:
We do not want you to treat us differently. By feeling bad for us you are enabling the stigma that surrounds seeking the help you need. There is no shame in seeking help and if you are going to feel anything, feel proud since it's usually not easy to take the step and get the help you need.
If you feel like you need to see a counselor or a therapist (and those can be very different things!):
Acknowledge that you want to seek professional help.
Take the time you need to find the right therapist. Not everyone is the same and not every therapist is right for every person.
Commit to seeing a therapist and don't set a time limit on healing.
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