PSYCH MYTH BUSTER! (part2/2)

#mythbuster #misconceptions #truth #therapy #support #blindasabat #brightpsychoflife

In this painting, it depicts a bat attempting to try various vision-enhancing or supportive devices e.g., telescope, magnifying glass.

If you think bats are blind, they are actually not. it is a myth. In truth, their vision is particularly sensitive in low light conditions.

Well, we don't want to be blind to the truth, do we? Let's continue debunking more misconceptions related to therapy and help seeking in this blog!

May the truth guide us... All the best!

In this blog, I seek to debunk common myths about help seeking and therapy.

Here goes:

Myth #1

“Therapy is just like talking to a friend.”

The truth is therapy is typically facilitated by a psychologist, and that is different from talking to a friend. The rapport built between clients and psychologists can make clients feel close to psychologists, just like in a supportive relationship e.g., friendship. However, when it comes to facilitating change with a focus in mind like in a therapy, clients require psychological support that psychologists can provide whereas a friend cannot.

Psychologists get to utilise the evidence-based techniques and skills gleaned from years of clinical practice and training, to support client's journeys. Psychologists play the role of facilitators, supporting clients towards desired direction of growth, healing and progress. In therapy, psychologist provides clients with sense of safety to discuss their vulnerabilities and personal stories. Among friends, the sense of safety may be limited and perspectives discussed may be biased by their shared experiences, vested interest and overlapping social circles.

Having said that, clients are encouraged to keep their friends around for support as good social support (also known as “your tribe”) is monumental to well-being.  Where there are active focus(es) or change(es) to be facilitated, speaking to friends can be complementary, rather than as a substitute, to therapy.

Myth #2

“Therapy is for those with serious mental health disorders!”

Truth is that therapy is for anyone, really.

Given the media portrayal of those seriously mentally disturbed/ill individuals presenting at mental health facilities, it is understandable for public to mistake them as the only group of clients we see.

However, the truth is far from that, in that therapy can support individuals who are struggling with a range of concerns and challenges.  These can vary from those who felt they reached a plateau in their lives/work and want to reach greater heights to those who are temporarily lost and in search of meaning /direction in life to those with difficulties/needs in life to those who had been diagnosed with clinical disorders (e.g., bipolar disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, schizophrenia). Hopefully, this continuum of needs can provide us with a sense of who may be able to benefit from therapy.

Essentially, it can be for anyone who wishes to embark on a journey to heal, make adjustments to their lives and/or to reach one’s fuller potential or gain greater satisfaction in life. 

Myth #3

“You can get better from your mental health concerns through sheer will-power!”

Truth is:

While will-power is crucial in any recovery journey, it is not the only ingredient for change or recovery. For instance, if one suffers from serious physical health concerns e.g., cancer, diabetes, one is not expected to just use sheer will-power to address it.  Likewise, it is no different for mental health concerns. One needs access to a range of interventions (such as, psychotherapy, medication and/or appropriate support groups) to support clients towards healing and to meet their desired mental-health focus.

In addition to the interventions, clients would need to use effort and commitment to practise or apply what’s been taught in therapy, in order to reap full benefits from therapy.

Myth #4

“Once I end therapy, I will never need it again!”

The truth is that in life, we can encounter challenges for which we require guidance and support beyond what we have already been equipped. Below are possible examples of why clients revisit therapy.

There are those who resume therapy when new events, or milestones occur in their lives. For instance, they struggle with grief responses due to crises and/or losses that occurred unexpectedly in their lives.  Such events can bring about responses that not only throw individuals off-guard but render existing coping resources inadequate.  In this case, therapy becomes a much-needed supportive space for individuals to re-calibrate and review in ways that is helpful in meeting clients’ (newfound) needs.

Some clients see therapy with a psychologist as a mental health check-in to assess and/or review one’s functioning in various aspects of life. It parallels a physical health screening that people go for on a periodic basis. And such screening tends not to be triggered by crises, instead, it is due to one’s commitment to wellness and need to be in-sync with one’s health status.

In order for clients to reap benefits, they constantly practise and nourish themselves with helpful ways (e.g., behaviours or responses) to maintain their well-being. This mirrors the regular commitment to physical health or good physique by working out or engaging in physical fitness activities. However, despite regular practice, there may be instances in which clients need to revisit therapy to review whatever they have been doing with themselves. This may involve equipping oneself with new skills, outlook and patterns of thinking and/or behaviours in light to staying relevant and adaptive to current life and relationships.

The act of attending to the “lapse” (i.e., noticing it and doing something about it) can possibly prevent a full relapse. Deciding to re-visit therapy, thus, suggests one’s growth in the therapeutic journey, for it takes self-awareness and motivation to be a change agent to take charge in view of lapses or gaps that needs a little support.

All in all, I hope with greater understanding about therapy and help seeking, light is shed upon these topics and decisions regarding help seeking can be made with added ease.

Well, now that you have heard the truths about my profession and therapy, are you feeling ready to embark on your therapy expedition to uncover your truth(s)?

Rooting for you always,

Jeanice