Breaking the Stigma of Therapy

As a Licensed Professional Counselor, I have heard many reasons for why individuals do not want to see a therapist, such as, “I am a man, I am not supposed to talk about my problems,” “It is a waste of money,” “I am not crazy,” “I can talk to my friends about my problems, I do not have to pay someone for that,” and “In my profession I am not the one who is supposed to seek out help for mental health.” 

There is this misperception that individuals who seek out therapy are seriously mentally ill or lack of a better words are “crazy.”  However, this is not the case at all.  In fact, most people who attend therapy do not have a severe mental illness.  Instead, these individuals are people like you and I who have typical life challenges and need assistance and support from a therapist to be able to productively cope with what is going on with them.  For example, one may be having difficulties with a loss they recently experienced (divorce, death of loved one, etc.), work-related or school stressors, health issues, and family or relationship conflict to name a few.

It is typical for individuals throughout their lifetime to go through difficult times and to struggle with getting through those times on their own.  In therapy, an individual may want help learning better ways to cope, help change a behavior, or gain insight about himself or herself.  Therapists are there to provide an outside perspective and to walk along side with you through your difficulties.  They are not there to tell you what to do or how to solve your problems, that is for you to decide.  In fact, you are the expert of your own life.  Therefore you know what would work best for you.  However, sometimes when we are going through stressful times and facing difficulties, our judgment may be clouded and we may not be thinking clearly.   With your therapist you can look at different options and possible outcomes of each of those options. 

Going to a therapy appointment should be part of your upkeep just as if you were to go to a dentist for your teeth or your primary care physician for a yearly checkup.  Together lets break the stigma of mental health and therapy!