Myths About Therapy: Separating Fact from Fiction

Therapy can be an incredibly beneficial tool for navigating life's challenges, whether you're dealing with anxiety, depression, ADHD, or relationship struggles. However, there are many myths surrounding counseling and mental health services that can prevent people from seeking the help they need. At Thrive for Life Counseling, we are committed to debunking these misconceptions and providing accurate information about what therapy truly entails. In this post, we’ll explore some of the most common myths about therapy and reveal the facts that can help you make an informed decision about your mental health journey.

Myth:  The therapist cannot repeat anything the client says.

Fact:  There are times when the law requires that a therapist disclose things the client has said.  These exceptions to confidentiality happen when a client has made a statement about harming someone and are in place to keep everyone physically safe.

Myth:  Therapy is mostly just talk.

Fact:  While there is a lot of talking during session time, there is also lots of teaching, role plays, in-session activities, practice and homework assignments that lead to change.

Myth:  Therapists blame a client’s problems on their upbringing.  It is always the mother’s fault.

Fact:  Well, it IS important to explore the client’s family of origin and all corners of their life that may be contributing to the problem.  It may be that the client’s family of origin is contributing to the client’s difficulties BUT the client has the power to change or control the impact that the family of origin is having on their life today.

Myth:  Therapy primarily involves talking about the past.

Fact:  Sure, we talk about a client’s history but that certainly isn’t all we talk about.  We spend most of the session time talking about how to change the impact the past is having on the client’s current life.

Myth:  People who go to therapy are weak, mentally ill or crazy.

Fact:  The vast majority of individuals who seek therapy are struggling with unwanted feelings of anxiety or depression and/or communication difficulties with a significant other.  Reaching out to a therapist when you are experiencing a difficult patch in your life is about bravery and strength, not weakness.

Myth:  Therapists sit behind desks taking notes while you lie on a couch.

Fact:  I have not sat behind a desk while working with a client for 20 years now.  I have not had a couch in my office since 2020.  But I do take lots of notes…because I believe everything my clients say is important.  

Myth:  Therapists can prescribe medication.

Fact:  Therapists (marriage and family therapists, counselors, social workers, etc) do not prescribe medication.  In most states, psychologists do not prescribe medications either.  As a general rule, only a doctor, nurse practitioner or physician’s assistant can prescribe medication.  It is recommended to see a psychiatrist (medical doctor) or a psychiatric nurse practitioner if you would like to be evaluated for medication to assist with mood, attention, etc, as opposed to a family doctor or a pediatrician.  

Myth:  Therapy will “cure” a person.

Fact:  When I think of the word “cure” or “patient”, I tend to think of disease.  So, in that sense, therapy doesn’t cure anyone because I don’t believe any of my patients are sick.  But therapy can eliminate or significantly reduce the problem that brought the client to therapy.

Myth:  Therapy can solve problems in one or two sessions.

Fact:  This is highly unlikely but not impossible given that therapists don’t solve problems…clients learn to solve their own problems in therapy.  It seems like most clients are in therapy for 3-4 months…or more.  

Myth:  Therapists make clients feel immediately better after each session.

Fact:  This certainly is possible but it is also possible that the client might feel sad after a session too, if discussing grief, for example.

Myth:  Therapy is just a pricey venting session.

Fact:  It can be costly if the client is paying out of pocket for their weekly sessions.  The good news is that insurance companies do pay for therapy.  Some insurance plans or EAPs (employee assistance programs) don’t even require the client to meet their deductible or pay a copay.  

Myth:  I don’t need therapy.  I have friends and family.

Fact:  The problem here is that the well-meaning “advice" from family and friends comes from their value system, not the clients.  The barrage of advice from friends and family can be overwhelming.  Conflicting advice from different friends or family members is confusing and of little comfort.  Their advice also does not come from years of clinical training and their advice may be the exact opposite of the therapeutic process.  Imagine how difficult it would be for a woman who has learned her husband had an affair to hear from her sister “I’d leave him and take everything he’s got” when the hurt wife really wants to stay in the marriage.  This “advice” would cause the hurting wife to question her own judgment. 

Myth:  I should be able to fix things on my own.

Fact:  That statement is not true of anyone.  I can’t fix my leaking toilet, that's what the plumber is for.  I can’t fix an electrical issue in my attic, that's what an electrician is for.  Why should mental health issues be any different?  I would even argue that a behavioral issue is even more challenging to work on than a leaking toilet for an electrical glitch.      

Myth:  A therapist will make me discuss things I don't want to talk about.

Fact:  A therapist will never make you do anything.  However, it is sometimes recommended to talk through those difficult times in your life.

Myth:  Therapists give advice.

Fact:  This should not happen.  I have been asked quite a few times “Should I divorce her?”, “Should I tell my daughter she is adopted?”, etc.  A therapist should never weigh in on these decisions.  It is the client who has to live with the outcomes (both good and bad) from the decisions they make in life.  However, a therapist can certainly help with the decision making process…but the final decisions are always that of the client.      

Myth:  Therapy is just a place for people to complain.

Fact:  Sure, clients do complain sometimes.  However, that time should be limited and the focus of the session should be on learning a new skill, doing something differently, change, thinking about something differently, etc. 

Myth:  The past is the past so you should be over it already.

Fact:  It is common for a client to say to me “My partner keeps bringing up the past.  I wish she would just let it go.”  If you continue to think about an issue, it is not in the past.  If a partner is continuing to bring up a past event, it is clearly not in the past.  It is probably better to deal with the issue, head on, so it stops controlling your thoughts and behaviors.  

Therapy is a powerful resource for anyone dealing with anxiety, depression, ADHD, or relationship issues, but it's important to have the right expectations. By debunking these myths, we hope to encourage more individuals and couples to consider virtual therapy as a way to enhance their emotional well-being. At Thrive for Life Counseling, our licensed therapists are available to help you on your path to healing and personal growth. We offer 100% virtual therapy sessions to clients in Indiana, Illinois, Florida, New Hampshire, and New Jersey. Most major insurance plans are accepted. Reach out today for a consultation or appointment, and take the first step toward feeling better.

(Special thanks to Farid Alsabeh from Great Lakes Psychology Group, Bryan Robinson Ph.D. from Psychology Today, Psych Central, Cornell University and Delaware Psychological Services.)