PSYCH MYTH BUSTER! (part1/2)

#mythbuster #misperceptions #misconceptions #clarifications #clarity #discerning #mentalhealth #psychologist #helpseeking #therapy #psychotherapy #brightpsychoflife

In the course of my work, I have encountered my fair share of assumptions, questions and comments posed to me about my profession as a psychologist and the process of psychotherapy. These encounters reflected misconceptions, misinformation as well as immense curiosities related to the above-mentioned topics.

Such can lead to misperceptions that potentially serve as a barrier to individuals seeking mental health support. This in turn deprives them of the opportunity to make desirable changes or improvement to their lives.

In this blog, I would like to debunk common myths in order to shed some light on my profession and psychotherapy for those interested to find out the truth. I hope that as awareness and knowledge about help seeking and psychologists are raised, it can reduce stigma attached to mental health and promote informed decision in support of one’s mental well-being. Do forward to your loved ones as you deem fit, as the simple gesture of spreading awareness can contribute towards bigger waves of change in mental health status within the society at large.

Do you believe everything you see? In this painting, the shadow cast shows the shape of a unicorn. But is it really the case? Well, lo and behold, when you scrutinise the subject, it shows a horse wearing a party hat! This begs the question: is what we see the truth? As discerning readers, amidst the World Wide Web of information galore, we strive to fact-check and verify with trusted sources, in order to form clearer and more unbiased appraisal of situations and persons!

Let’s debunk common myths related to psychologists!

Help seeking is a decision that takes courage and commitment. Besides how qualified a psychologist is for the job (based on psychologist’s training, experience and related credentials), clients need to feel safe with and trust that the psychologist can adequately support them given their circumstances, and concerns.   These are valid requirements in light of how therapy involves the exploration of personal and sensitive stories and vulnerabilities. Thus, with some myths debunked about psychologists, clients can have a more unbiased understanding of psychologists and in turn, this can helpfully guide their decisions towards supporting their well-being.

Myth #1:

“Psychologists probably have NO ISSUES and don’t know what I am going through.”

The truth is that unfortunate life events and/or mental health concerns do not discriminate. Just like anyone, psychologists are not spared from natural or man-made events that may result in losses, deaths, and/or illnesses. And when these hit us or occur around us, we experience similar set of emotions (that can include, grief, loss, guilt, pain). After all, we are human beings too, who experience a spectrum of emotions and are subjected to pain and sufferings available to mankind.

What may differ, however, includes our ease in identifying symptoms as they manifest and adequately cope with them before they cause a more serious impairment to our lives, due to our training and experience in helping others with their concerns.

Regardless of professions, we are journeying through LIFE for the first time. This, coupled with the fact that no one is really perfect, mean that psychologists can make mistakes or lapses that can aversely affect our lives (e.g., ruptures in relationships) as well. We can be aware of how one’s responses matter and thus, choose more helpful responses. This willingness to do something more helpful can set two individuals experiencing the exact same event apart.

Given that psychologists are not void of universal sufferings and pains, they are capable, based on their lived experiences, of guiding clients in the process of awareness and choosing options towards favourable outcome(s). Additionally, even if they had not gone through the same difficulty as clients, they, armed with skills and training as a psychologist, can offer empathy and appropriate interventions that can be helpful to guide clients towards mental wellness.

Myth #2

“Psychologists ONLY explore my childhood and the past experiences in therapy. “

The truth is psychologists may spend time exploring childhood or past experiences but priority lies in supporting client’s present and future selves.  Childhood information provides psychologists with important clues and data regarding the client’s current patterns of behaviours, thinking or gaps in functioning. Our past can be considered a treasure trove of clues and information that supports psychologists in their case analysis and treatment planning. For one, the current patterns and templates of interactions /relationships can be understood based on how our caregivers interacted with us and that individuals can, through social learning (modeling, observation), develop their own template of interactions and ways of behaving in present-day relationships.

Consistently, research has shown strong correlations between childhood factors and development of mental health issues.

It is not possible to go back to the past to change anything. And good news is that this is not the goal in therapy either. Instead, clients can be aware and educated on how their present are inevitably shaped by their past. Then, they accept that while they cannot change the past, they can choose not to perpetuate similarly unhelpful patterns in their present and future lives. So, effectively they get to rewrite their future without repeating the patterns of their past.

In a way, it speaks to clients being the “change agent” – they can be better (present and future) version of themselves. As the saying goes, hurt people hurt others. In this case, if clients heal in “safe” hands in therapy, they do not end up perpetuating the hurt to others.

Myth #3:

“Psychologist ONLY focuses on problems!”

This is a common myth – which is why clients typically visit a psychologist when a “problem” arises. For instance, they may experience an outburst or observe a decline in functioning in one or more aspects of life (e.g., sleep, relationships) that triggers their visit to a psychologist.  These are understandable push factors since their lives are being affected and there are serious implications on well-being. At which point, psychologists tend to enquire more about the “problem” and try to uncover underlying processes that may need to be addressed in order for clients to regain functioning.

Therapy, however, often goes beyond just discussion of problems. Depending on the focus of therapy identified by clients, psychologists may decide to explore aspects (e.g., intrapsychic; interpersonal) of individuals and their experiences that may be relevant. For instance, there can be exploration of strengths and current (helpful) coping in psychologist’s attempt to expand one’s coping repertoire or to facilitate strength-driven and self-compassionate narratives. Psychologist seeks to also discuss solutions (read: changes or adjustments that need to be made) in a collaborative manner in order to ensure client’s commitment to the process of change.

Hence, therapy covers beyond just the problems and that includes strengths, achievements, as well as solutions/changes that need to occur in view of supporting client’s focus.

Myth #4:

“Psychologists can READ my mind!”

I receive this comment so often – especially when someone realizes what I work as. I can imagine feeling concerned if I believe someone can “read” my mind, in a psychic way. So I would like to set the record straight: I do not have this power!

What I do have are these:  my years of clinical psychology training and practice on the job provided me with the skills to attend closely to non-verbal cues, listen out for not just what clients are saying but the nuances and make inferences, asking relevant questions, and building rapport. These help to elicit information from clients to support my understanding of them in a comprehensive way, which then guides my treatment for them. 

I take it as a compliment especially, when my clients explain that they felt so heard and understood in a way that may only be possible if I could “read” them.

I do not take for granted that I could bear witness to some of clients’ deepest pains and injuries. So I certainly want to give my utmost to make space for, tune in and be present with them in the healing journey – in a way that helps them feel understood, heard, seen and motivated for change(s) along the way. These, perhaps, are why they feel I can “read” their minds.

Concluding statement

By now, I certainly hope that you are clearer in how you perceive psychologists to be – we are indeed only human, susceptible to pains and sufferings that are universal to all humankind. Given our “special power” or ability to empathise, tune in and make space for all of you and your entire spectrum of emotions and emotional experiences, they may have misled you into thinking we are mind-readers! This suggests that our years of training have paid off – in helping us connect and understand our clients in a way that makes you feel understood, heard, seen and “read” too. Additionally, there is more clarity about psychologists being interested in individuals as human beings, beyond the "problems" and their past experiences that they bring along. All in all, it is my hope that this blog offers a more balanced perspective as to how psychologists intend to show up and be helpful to their clients that they have honour of working with!

Please spread awareness of this blog to your loved ones who may benefit from this.

Signing off with love,

Jeanice