Five Misconceptions about Therapy.

Given its generally private nature, therapy is something that people know about, but often know very little about. Between the various disciplines of therapy, as well as the different professionals who administer them, it can be difficult to get a clear picture of what the experience of going to therapy is really like. With that in mind, here are five of the most common misconceptions about therapy.

All Talk

Most depictions of therapy in the media portray it as a conversation dominated by the client, with the therapist chiming in with the occasional prompt, such as “Tell me about your childhood”, “How is your relationship with your mother?”, and the classic “How does that make you feel?”.

In reality, therapists are much more involved. Rather than quietly building a profile and telling their clients what to do, therapists will engage with the client in order to help the client reach their own conclusions. Many forms of therapy will also include exercises such as writing letters or keeping a diary in order to help the client reflect from another perspective.

Friendships

Although most therapists will offer a safe, comfortable, and supportive environment, and will probably have a friendly demeanour, a therapist is not supposed to be a client’s friend. It is not uncommon for clients to develop strong feelings for their therapists, which can often be mistaken for love. This is due to the undivided attention, interest, and concern that a therapist should have for their client, so it is important for clients to remember that this is a professional relationship, and nothing more.

Medication

Whether it’s through hope for a quick fix, or fear of side effects, many people mistakenly believe that therapists will throw pills at the client and call it a day. In reality, only psychiatrists can prescribe medication, as they are fully qualified medical doctors with an in-depth knowledge of how medication will react to different clients. A therapist may refer a client to a psychiatrist if they see fit, but most therapy involves no medication at all.

Timeline

When most people think of therapy, they imagine a long and arduous process of dream interpretation and tapping into your subconscious, without knowing when or if the process will be complete. It is true that some people can undergo therapy that lasts for years, or even a lifetime, but this is not always the case. Every client and case is unique, and in many cases, a few sessions can be enough to address the issues at hand and set a client on the right course.

Cost

Finally, therapy is often thought to be prohibitively expensive, which can deter many people. This is partly because, unlike most expenses, there is no clear price tag for therapy, as it is unclear how often a client will attend or for how long. In reality, most therapists are more than happy to work with a client to develop a programme that is both effective and cost efficient. While it is a business at the end of the day, therapists will do what they can to help people who need it.

If you are interested in speaking to a professional, but worried about the cost, Orwellness is happy to provide low-cost, affordable counselling to all, so please don’t hesitate to get in touch using the button below.