10 common myths about therapy:
In reality, therapy is not just about serious mental health conditions, it is about helping anyone dealing with stress, life changes, relationship issues, or personal development, big or small.
Reaching out for support is never a weakness, it requires courage, honesty, and self-awareness, and is a really brave step to take.
This is a classic myth that seems to have come from films and TV! In reality, therapy is about working with a professional who will help you to recognize patterns, shift your unhelpful thoughts and feelings, and build practical coping skills if that is what you need.
Although most therapy sessions do involve sitting in chairs facing each other, there is no specific requirement for you to lie down! Sessions are about having a meaningful conversation about whatever feels important to you, and sometimes past experiences will be part of what is explored.
Some types of therapy are goal-focused, and often take place over a shorter period of time (usually several weeks). Grief counselling may take longer, but there is no set number of sessions, and you may find that you dip in-and-out of it at various stages throughout your life.
Friends can offer support, but therapists are trained professionals who provide objective guidance and evidence-based strategies.
Therapists rely on what you share, though they are trained to notice patterns, emotions, and behaviors.
Each person will have their own beliefs, values and financial circumstances that will influence whether they feel therapy is "too expensive" or "not worth the cost". Ultimately, it’s about how invested you are in yourself to make a change, and finding a therapist who is in alignment with your circumstances.
Therapists do not make decisions for you or assign blame - they help you better understand yourself and your choices.
Therapy uses research-backed approaches that often uncover unhelpful patterns and perspectives that are not obvious on your own.
