Challenging Common Misconceptions Surrounding Mental Health Therapy Sessions
Approximately 50 million individuals confront mental health challenges. The American Psychological Association underlines the significance of psychological health as a priority for workers. Regrettably, numerous employees are hesitant to request assistance due to the negative connotation linked to mental health matters. This stigma is particularly prevalent among men, who are less inclined than women to seek help. Astonishingly, 78% of employees assert that their employers are falling short in addressing their mental wellness within the workplace.
In reality, everyone grapples with some form of mental health struggle. This could entail experiencing fear over biopsy results, concerns regarding a teenage driver navigating an icy storm, or anxiety surrounding financial stability during an economic downturn. Our emotions can swiftly impact our mental health, disrupting our peace and serenity. The stigma surrounding mental health treatment often deters people from acknowledging their issues, let alone seeking help. More substantial efforts are required to educate both employers and employees about mental health wellness.
Misconceptions About Mental Health Treatment
Numerous inaccuracies contribute to the stigma surrounding mental health treatment, which is sometimes perpetuated in literature, television, and film, as well as in the workplace. Mental health professionals are frequently depicted as inadequate and unstable, even more so than their clients. Below are the most commonly held misunderstandings:
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- Individuals seeking mental health assistance are thought to be fragile, mentally unsound, or unstable**. Inaccurate. Nowadays, seeking treatment is regarded as a sign of self-care and overall health maintenance. Most clients grapple with common everyday issues such as relationships, self-doubt, low self-worth, work-life balance, life transitions, sadness, and anxiety. Therapy clients are more appropriately referred to as "clients" rather than "patients" due to this reason. Over my two-decade-long career, I've frequently argued that those I treat through therapy appear to be more mentally sound than some individuals on the streets, who fear the societal stigma associated with mental health counseling.
- Mental health professionals station themselves behind desks, jotting down notes while clients lay on couches**. Professionally trained clinicians recognize that the setup and distance between therapists and clients are important for a secure and productive therapeutic bond. Slight physical or emotional distance create an underlying sense of authority and intimidation, making it challenging for clients to fully trust and share relevant information that aids in treatment. Typical therapy rooms are designed like comfortable living rooms without physical barriers between the practitioner and the patient. Good therapists often ask to confirm if the distance is comfortable and wait to jot down notes until after the session, so they can focus on the present moment.
- Mental health practitioners and clients develop deep friendships**. There is no basis for the frequent depiction in literature that clients pay therapists to lend them a sympathetic ear and display kindness. The therapeutic relationship is psychologically close but strictly professional. Therapists' commitment to ethical guidelines and the law dictates that their relationship with clients should be limited to counseling sessions and necessary email, phone, or text exchanges. Therapists who breach these boundaries may risk losing their licenses for such infractions.
- Mental health practitioners simply instruct clients on how to fix their lives**. Scenes in books and movies where therapists simply listen to clients' concerns, nod in agreement, and sympathetically repeat what clients say are stereotypes. So are those found in media where therapists interpret clients' experiences for them rather than encouraging clients to share their perspectives. Modern therapies equip practitioners with experiential and collaborative techniques that engage both parties in an active, interactive process based on dialogue and the client's active participation in problem-solving. Together, clinicians and clients identify issues, set objectives, and track progress through homework assignments and reading recommendations.
- Mental health practitioners provide prescriptive solutions for life's issues**. A skilled therapist tailors therapy sessions to address clients' unique needs rather than applying predefined formulas. Listening to the content of the story, along with deeper themes and patterns, allows clinicians to provide tailored feedback based on emerging themes and patterns that facilitate change, not merely repetitive words and phrases provided by clients.
- Mental health practitioners berate clients for their issues**. Despite popular depictions of therapists on shows like "Dr. Phil," well-trained therapists do not blame or shame. They do not judge clients or their parents. Instead, they provide an objective, bird's-eye perspective to help clients recognize the challenges they are facing, enabling clients to take responsibility for their lives. Trained clinicians never blame, shame, or belittle clients into change.
- Mental health practitioners share their clients' problems with their employers**. Clinicians are obligated to safeguard their clients' confidentiality. In a widely publicized incident on "The Sopranos," a therapist's ethical lapse led to the unintended revelation of another therapist's client's identity during a crowded dinner party. The ensuing scandal provoked strong reactions and concern among clients and therapists across the country.
- Mental health therapy sessions are a quick fix**. While it is convenient for TV shows and novels to depict characters who suddenly become "cured" after a couple of sessions, real-life therapy rarely follows this pattern. The typical therapy session lasts around 50-60 minutes, and the first meeting is dedicated to establishing rapport and familiarizing clients with the process. Overcoming deep-rooted issues requires multiple sessions over time. It is, in fact, uncommon for clients to remain with the same therapist for years without making any significant progress.
- Clinicians maintain that a person's personality is set in stone by the age of five**. The perception that humans cannot learn and adapt beyond their early years is a significant misconception. In movies or novels, when a therapist suggests that personality is fixed by age five, it comes across as insincere and undermines the story's credibility. Neuroscience backs up this idea through MRI technology, revealing that the brain's ability to adapt and change is ongoing throughout a person's life. Modern psychotherapy techniques utilize neuroplasticity to cultivate new neural pathways, foster new beliefs, and encourage new behaviors, from conception to death.
- Therapists can magically heal their clients after each session**. While it may be an appealing storyline, it is a misconception. Clients and therapists work collaboratively to navigate and overcome difficult emotions, which can be challenging and require time. Growth in the therapeutic process can sometimes appear to worsen before it improves, but skilled therapists guide their clients through these tough periods, ultimately leading to personal growth and emotional healing.
If you're dealing with the stigma surrounding mental health therapy that's preventing you or someone else from seeking help, reach out to Mental Health America to discover local resources. Alternatively, in case of an emergency, the Crisis Text Line will link you with a counselor offering confidential and complimentary 24/7 assistance via text messaging.
- Many people believe that individuals seeking mental health support are weak or unstable, but in reality, seeking help is a sign of resilience and self-care.
- Another misconception is that mental health professionals sit behind desks, passively listening to clients. In reality, they actively engage with clients in a therapeutic relationship, creating a safe and comfortable environment to address complex issues.
