Therapy: the facts behind the myths
Myth 1: Therapy is only for people with serious problems.
Fact: Therapy is for anyone who wants to understand themselves better, who wants to learn to deal with challenges, or simply who wants to grow as a person. You don't have to wait until you get stuck; therapy can also work preventively.
Myth 2: I have to be able to solve everything myself.
Fact: Asking for help is not a sign of weakness, but of strength. A therapist offers you a safe space to reflect and gain new insights that you might not discover on your own.
Myth 3: Therapy is time-consuming and complicated.
Fact: Thanks to online therapy, you can talk to a therapist from home, or wherever you want. This saves time and makes it easier to schedule sessions.
Myth 4: A therapist doesn't do anything that my friends or family can't do.
Fact: While talking to friends and family is valuable, a therapist offers a professional, objective, and non-judgmental perspective. Therapists are trained to recognize patterns, understand deeper causes, and provide techniques specifically tailored to your needs.
Myth 5: Therapy means I have to constantly talk about my past.
Fact: Although the past is sometimes discussed, therapy often focuses on the present and the future. It's about how you can improve your life now and achieve your goals.
Myth 6: Therapy is not necessary as long as my work is not affected by my problems.
Fact: Even if your work doesn't seem to suffer from your mental or emotional state at first, underlying tensions can build up. By intervening early, you prevent problems in your personal life from negatively affecting your work performance.
Myth 7: If I seek therapy, my employer will think I'm not capable.
Fact: Many employers today understand the importance of mental health and support employees who seek help. Some companies even offer programs that make therapy easier. Improving your mental health can actually promote your productivity and work relationships. In addition, for example, at BloomUp your request for a conversation remains anonymous, so your employer does not have to be aware if you prefer.
Myth 8: Therapy doesn't help with work-related stress.
Fact: Therapy can be extremely effective in learning to deal with work stress. A therapist can teach you to set boundaries, prioritize, and develop healthy coping mechanisms for challenging situations in the workplace.
How therapy helps you with major changes in your life
Whether you're going through a major life change – such as a new job, a move, a breakup, or a loss – therapy can help you deal with it in a healthy and constructive way. Here are a few ways therapy can support you:
- Gain insight into your feelings. A therapist helps you understand what you're feeling and why, so you can make more conscious choices.
- Learn practical strategies. Therapy provides tools and techniques to better deal with stress, uncertainty, and other emotions.
- A safe place to talk. Sometimes you just need someone to listen to you without judgment. A therapist offers that space.
- Long-term growth and change. Therapy can help you break patterns that no longer serve you and create a life that better fits who you want to be.
Conclusion
Are you doubting whether therapy is for you? See it as an investment in yourself. Whether you choose online or face-to-face therapy, you don't have to do it alone. The most important thing is that you take the step and give yourself the chance to grow, heal, and be heard. Why wait?
Joyce van der Heijden is a clinical psychologist and is available via BloomUp.
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