Myth: All you do in therapy is bitch and moan about your life.
Not true. While a lot of sessions with a psychotherapist consist of the client venting to the therapist, the client and therapist will work together in trying to figure out how the client can successfully manage their mental illness and life stressors. Furthermore, the client will also share good, happy, funny, or lighthearted events with their therapist. The therapist likes this because they like hearing about their clients' lives and they love to hear when the client is doing well. Psychotherapy is kind of like a friendship except the client has to mostly talk about themselves and they can either talk about positive or negative things or both.
Myth: Therapists are completely taciturn; you will not hear a peep out of them at all.
Not true. While psychotherapists have to be very good listeners and keep the discussion of themselves to a bare minimum, they will talk to you and engage in conversation when necessary. Therapists need to do this in order to engage the client and form a dynamic and interesting rapport with the client to make sure that they understand what the client is trying to express to them and keep the session interesting. Additionally, neither of the two therapists that I have worked with have ever asked the stereotypical question of, "And how does that make you feel?" because they tend to get a general idea of where the clients thought patterns are heading. If you have a good therapist, they will probably know how something makes you feel already, especially as your relationship "grows" and gets stronger. Good therapists are good mind readers and are extremely perceptive.
Myth: Therapists are boring people with the personality of cardboard and are cold and aloof.
Not true. While some are like this. a lot of therapists are fun and engaging human beings. My first therapist had an amazing sense of humor and she was super fun to talk to. My second (and current) therapist is good too. Good therapists are relatable people.
Myth: Therapists' offices are dark and uninviting.
Not true. Therapists love to make their offices comfy, bright, and inviting. If the therapist often works with pediatric clients, they will most likely have a room filled will board games, toys, picture books, and other fun things. The couches are usually very comfortable as well.
Myth: Therapists no nothing about psychiatry, psychopharmacology, or mental illness.
Not true. Therapists go through years of advanced degrees, internships, residencies, and extensive and rigorous training. Psychotherapists are technically working in the medical field believe it or not and get a lot of information on the diagnostic process and treatment options of mental illness. However, they cannot prescribe medications to clients. While getting licensure to be a therapist is not as hard as getting the qualifications to be a doctor or a lawyer, it is extensive and rigorous and somewhat medically-oriented.
Myth: Therapists will NEVER tell you about their lives under ANY circumstances WHATSOEVER.
Not true. While it is extremely important to note that a good therapist has excellent boundaries, from time to time, a good therapist WILL reference their own lives to a certain extent to use it as an example as needed. For an example, my first therapist would sometimes her own experiences as a mother to make me understand why my mother was responding to my actions the way that she did. My therapist knew that would be an effective executive decision and it was because it made me walk around in my mother's shoes. My therapist ALSO decided to reference her life in a very vaguely-told account of her first broken heart when she knew I was too embarrassed to talk to my own mother about it and consoled me as much as she professionally could do. This was also an effective decision on her part because it comforted me and checked me into reality when needed when I couldn't confide in anyone else. The truth of the matter is, therapists care about you.
Myth: Because of the statement above, all therapists don't know boundaries and become way too emotionally attached.
Not true. While a choice few of therapists care about their clients so much that it becomes unhealthy with it seeming more like a friendship or some other sort of "outside" and "standard" relationship, most therapists maintain a balance and appropriate boundary setting.
Myth: Therapy isn't fun for anyone.
Not true. While therapy is a drag for many, some people, including myself actually find going to therapy sessions enjoyable and even lots of fun. For some, therapy is a time to catch up with someone you really enjoy being around.
Myth: Going to therapy is a sign of weakness.
Not true. Techniques learned in therapy are beneficial to everyone, whether actual therapy sessions work for them or not. Some people are bored or made worse by psychotherapy sessions even. However, therapeutic techniques should be exercised by everyone when taught.
