Have you ever considered seeing a therapist, only to talk yourself out of it? You’re not alone. The process of getting into therapy can be intimidating, especially if you’ve never been.
If this all sounds familiar, then the chances are that you gave yourself one of these reasons to avoid therapy:
- “I don’t need therapy.”
- “Therapy is only for rich people.”
- “I don’t have time for therapy.”
- “Therapy doesn’t really work.”
If you’ve ever told yourself one or more of these things, it’s time to reconsider. Scroll on to learn why these reasons don’t hold water.
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“I Don’t Need Therapy”
Thanks to a lot of misleading representation in media and misconceptions in our society, there seems to be an idea that therapy is only for people who are struggling in profound ways. Many people think therapy is only for people who have somehow lost touch with reality or do not want to live.
Therapy can and does help people in those situations, but it’s not limited to severe mental illness cases. In fact, you don’t even need a diagnosed mental health condition to benefit from therapy. Many of our patients use therapy to reduce their stress or help them through major life transitions.
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On a related note, some people know they are struggling but think they do not deserve therapy because other people “have it worse.” Comparing your own struggles to others’ suffering is actually a sign that you may benefit from therapy.
When you see a therapist, they are there for you as you are. They aren’t wondering whether you really “deserve” or need therapy. They are glad you reached out for help and that they can support you.
“Therapy is Only for Rich People”
Perhaps there was a time when therapy was only available to the ultra-wealthy and well-connected people in society. However, that time has long since passed. Access to mental health care has steadily improved in recent years, thanks to telehealth innovations and dedicated organizations like LifeStance Health.
In an ideal world, anyone and everyone could access mental health care. While we don’t live in that world yet (we’re working on it), therapy just might be more available than you think.
Most insurance plans cover mental health care appointments. And LifeStance Health accepts most insurance plans. So if you have health insurance, there’s a good chance you can get help for the cost of your copay.
“I Don’t Have Time for Therapy”
At first, it can seem overwhelming or impossible to add one more thing to a packed schedule. However, therapy isn’t simply one more thing. As therapy starts to help you clear your mind and learn new coping skills, you may find that you save time.
When your mental health is suffering, it can have a serious impact on your time. For example, mental health issues can sometimes cause difficulties with physical health. You may feel sick and even need to take days off of school or work.
Many mental health conditions make it difficult to concentrate, meaning it takes you longer to complete tasks. Depression and other mood disorders can make it feel difficult to even get out of bed and brush your teeth. When simple tasks zap your energy, you may have time for something like therapy but not feel like you have that time.
Overall, therapy is about 50 minutes per session. Many people have sessions once per week at first, but you can always talk to your therapist about a schedule that works for you. You can also save commute time by booking an online therapy session.
“Therapy Doesn’t Really Work”
Therapy works, but not in the way that you may be used to treating conditions. When you see a medical doctor for physical symptoms, you often leave with a prescription to treat either the symptoms or the disease. And it’s often pretty easy to tell if the medicine is working. If it is, the symptoms disappear.
Therapy doesn’t work in exactly that way. You may not see a reduction in symptoms after the first session. And some sessions may be emotionally difficult, as you process troublesome emotions and thoughts. While it’s not nearly as simple as taking a pill, it does work for most people who stick to it. Therapy gets to the root cause of an issue, which can lead to long-lasting help.
Sometimes therapy doesn’t work on its own, and that’s ok. Depending on your situation, you may also benefit from medication and lifestyle changes. It’s important to remember that therapy is one tool in your mental health toolbox. It’s a vital tool for many people, but it’s not the only one.
Don't struggle alone.
Our providers can help.
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