10 Things Your Therapist Wishes You Knew About Psychotherapy
Tearing down myths to reveal what therapy is really about and what therapists actually do
Starting psychotherapy can be daunting — an unfamiliar experience that requires some vulnerability and a willingness to share one’s deepest emotions.
For some folks, digging deep to gain greater self-awareness alongside the guidance of a trained psychotherapist might sound appealing. But for others, psychotherapy might seem like the last place they want to be. I see this understandable hesitation among clients in my psychotherapy practice on a regular basis.
“I would rather walk into a building, guns drawn, than be in a therapist’s office,” claimed a former psychotherapy client, a retired police officer. Leanna (whose name is changed to protect her confidentiality) was only partly joking about her fears. Fortunately, she could laugh about her comment and settle into a conversation about her troubles.
Like Leanna, many folks overcome their hesitation and chose therapy as a resource to weather difficult times. “Therapy helps you learn how your own mind works,” says Mental Health America, a non-profit advocacy organization. “It allows you to navigate your feelings, build healthier habits, and change your mindset so that…
