OK. So I’ve spent the last few weeks trying to bring a little light to the often confusing language that Counsellors, Psychotherapists and Psychologists sometimes… Ok ‘often’, use. I really hope the last few articles have helped you navigate some different types of therapy and think about what might be a good fit for you.
But language is only one of the barriers that sometimes get int he way of people accessing therapy.
There are so many weird & wonderful ideas about Counselling & Psychotherapy that prevail in society and it’s easy to see why.
Whenever therapy is depicted in TV & film it usually sticks to some kind of stereotype: The therapist is often portrayed as either some wise old sage or a super intelligent, uber-observant character who can tell that you experienced many childhood traumas at the hands of your over-bearing Mother from the way you tie your shoe laces; Or a reluctant client who thinks therapy is pointless because, it’s the therapist who is detached from reality, & is apparently psychopathic, spending their free time coming up with horrifying ways to hurt people.
Therapy in films usually has a client laying back on a couch staring contemplatively as they recall the trauma that followed the time their aunty gave them a dirty look after forgetting to take their shoes off as they entered the house – while a bespectacled therapist nods in recognition, apparently psycho-analysing them.
And, of course, there is no shortage of celebrities, air-brushed & filtered to within an inch of their lives, cashing in on the self-help book market describing how they overcame their depression by going vegan & manifesting a better future while completely forgetting to mention the fact that they employed the help of an au pair, nutritionist, personal trainer & psychotherapist to help them recover, leaving the rest of us to feel inadequate by comparison, feeling like we’ve failed miserably in fighting our own battles.
Additionally, mental health issues have been a taboo for a very long time so it’s not surprising that there are a lot of ideas prevalent in society about Counselling & Psychotherapy that are either completely untrue, only partly so, or completely false. The sad fact is that some people are put off engaging with a therapist by some of these myths.
Time we set the record straight!
1. Therapy opens up a can of worms. This is the idea that therapists essentially make things worse for clients by encouraging them to tackle issues that they already ‘have a lid on’. The problem with this view is that it ignores the very reason that someone might be struggling in the first place. If you are struggling with an issue, it’s unlikely to go away if you try to ignore it or repress it.
As other pressures in life add to your burdens, the overall pressure may increase until your issue starts affecting other areas of your life. An example might be someone who represses a sexual trauma which then goes on to affect relationships in later life. Also, it’s entirely possible that the root of a persons issues are held in the subconscious. While the problem manifests in other ways, it’s cause remains out of sight until a therapist is able to help the client explore, discover & recover.
In short, if you carry on sweeping things under the carpet, eventually the floor becomes so uneven, you risk falling over. A good therapist can help you stop this risky practice and get you back on an even footing.
2. Therapy doesn’t work, it doesn’t solve your problems. Actually, this is partially true. Therapy doesn’t solve your problems for you. It helps you develop the skills and learn methods to solve your own problems. Therapy is about helping you to tap into your innate potential, your ability to heal & grow.
Secondly, as for the idea that therapy doesn’t work – The evidence base for the efficacy of therapy is far stronger than the evidence base for pharmaceutical interventions like anti-depressants. Medicines like these are often cheaper than therapy in the short term, which is one reason why Doctors are more inclined to write prescriptions for pills than refer someone for talking therapies.
In short, therapy helps in a multitude of ways, and is supported by extensive evidence and research.
3. Therapy always works. Again, not true. Therapy depends on several key components:
The Client: If the client is unable or unwilling to work through the necessary material & methods to effect therapy, it won’t work. The best that can be hoped for in this situation, is that the therapist can help the client maintain their current position and not deteriorate further.
The Therapist: The therapist must be able to establish a relationship with the client that is based on trust, mutual respect & honesty, and the absence of judgement. The therapist must also deliver a service that is ethically compliant, maintaining effective boundaries, and motivated by action in the best interests of the client.
The Service: The therapist must be capable of delivering an evidence-based service that is relevant to the needs of the client or refer them to an alternative service that can provide the help needed, balanced with their natural humanity.
Finally, communication: The therapist & client must be able to communicate effectively. This sounds obvious but, for example, in todays multicultural society, if the therapist & client don’t have a good command of a common language, it’s hard to see how therapy can be delivered effectively.
This is not an exhaustive list of myths about counselling & psychotherapy but these are some of the most common that I’ve come across in life as a professional psychotherapist.
Oh, by the way, I’ve yet to meet another therapist who works with clients who lay back on a couch… In case you are in any doubt, we tend to stick to using chairs these days! And no, I’ve no idea what to make of how you tie your shoe laces!
If you’d like to discuss Counselling & Psychotherapy for yourself or someone you know, contact BroadMinds Therapy and we’ll be happy to answer any questions you have and discuss options for you.
Call 0899420568
Email: help@broadmindstherapy.org
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Web: https://broadmindstherapy.org
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As always, thanks for taking the time to read this article.
Integrative Counselling And Psychotherapy 