Some Myths About Therapy Answered

“Therapy is self indulgent”

Therapy is hard work. Those with a desire to change and who are committed are likely to discover many unpleasant as well as pleasant aspects within themselves. Positive thinking and self-acceptance are as essential as honesty, integrity and direct confrontation. Despite the struggles inherent in the process, the rewards are that one feels more at ease with oneself.

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“ Childhood is in the past - why drag it up?”

Therapists help people recognise and validate early experiences without blaming parents, or getting lost in memories. We often repeat patterns learned in childhood. Therapy enables people to explore the ways in which they were shaped by early experiences in order to change and respond to life differently. Not everyone revisits childhood in therapy.

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“The therapist will change me”

Therapists facilitate people’s ability to change, enabling clients to have a greater repertoire of skills and abilities. Clients create changes in their lives.

“Therapy is for people who are sick”

Most people enter therapy because they need to re-evaluate their life. A major myth is that therapy is for those experiencing mental illness. Although they can be helped, people with mental health problems often have greater difficulty creating change in therapy. Many healthy people use therapy to improve their relationships and quality of life, as well as to reach other personal goals.

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“Talking to a stranger won’t change anything”

Talking to a therapist can be very helpful - we can help you work through whatever is troublesome; to look at your life with optimism; to face that which is painful. We can help uncover what is at the root of your concerns and enable you to move on.

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“I won’t be able to talk”

Therapists are trained to help people discuss their lives and express feelings. Clients are often initially surprised at how readily they talk.,