Why Do People Go To Therapy?
I've been thinking about a conversation I had the other night with someone who didn’t understand why anyone really needs therapy. I was peppered with questions like: “aren’t the people in therapy really crazy?” “Isn’t therapy an American thing?” “Why can’t you just talk to your friends and family, don’t they know best?”. I was struck by what I perceived as misunderstandings that many people have about therapy.
I've chosen to become a therapist because I feel deeply called to the work. The people I see are seeking support and guidance from a trained professional. The confidential nature of therapy combined with the focus on the individual is why it's an excellent environment to work on personal struggles. It's difficult to work on issues with friends and family due to the worries about being shamed, hurting someone's feelings, communication breakdowns, other people's discomfort and judgement, reciprocity, and lack of confidentiality.
In short, therapy is a safe space in which you can focus on your well being with the support of someone who puts you front and center and has the training to offer tools and insights to help you with your struggles. There is no shame or indulgence in getting help anymore than there is for seeing a doctor when you are sick (or for checkups when you feel fine).
It's the stigma around therapy that keeps people from getting help and staying stuck in maladaptive patterns. I hope this article can help you unwind some of your beliefs. I have compiled a list of answers to those questions and more in an effort to provide a more fulsome understanding about what therapy is, how it works, and why it's helpful.
Here is an article that gives you the “Facts about Psychotherapy” from The American Psychological Association.
