2 min read
Although conversations about mental health have improved over the years, unfortunately, there’s still a stigma, especially in Asia.
Some of these stigmas stem from “myths” and misconceptions. The issue with these myths is that they can stop people from seeking the help they need. Psychotherapy is one of the most common ways of treating mental health problems, by talking to a psychologist, psychotherapist, or other mental health experts. In therapy, clients can chat about their life challenges in a safe, confidential space.
Here, we debunk five of the most common myths and misconceptions around psychotherapy.
Many people from all walks of life seek psychotherapy. Nowadays, a lot of us have issues with different levels of anxiety, work stress, depression, OCD, relationships, and so on. There has been numerous research showing that psychotherapy can result in an improvement in quality of life for most mental health problems, while in some cases, psychotherapy paired with medication is the most effective way to promote recovery.
Like many good things in life – working out, building friendships – it takes time and patience to reach our goals and in most cases, there’s no “quick fix” to optimum well-being. Everyone’s therapy journey is unique depending on the severity of their issues and their goals, and again it also depends on the treatment modality being used. For example with CBT, a very brief treatment as recommended by NICE would usually last 6-8 sessions. But as always, how long you decide to benefit from therapy is always up to you!
You’ve probably seen this in movies, but this is rarely the case as the distance created by this position could feel quite intimidating. The actual seating would depend on the therapy modality being used. For example, when I’m using sand play/play therapy with younger children or adults, it involves different creative mediums thus our work usually takes place around the room or even on the floor without the need for chairs. When performing talking therapy, my clients usually sit next to or opposite me for a more comfortable, less rigid setting.
Attending a psychotherapy session completely differs from “venting” to a friend. With therapy, you can expect a personalized approach to mental health in a private and safe environment. Moreover, the professionally trained therapist will work with you collaboratively in making positive changes.
Some of us may also stress over what the person thinks about what is being shared. A therapist is bound professionally to provide a safe, confidential, and non-judgmental space for you as well as offer unconditional acceptance, respect, and support from an impartial position.
Author: Janice is a Psychotherapist, Counsellor, and Certified Motherhood Educator, with Maternal Mental Health being her keen focus. As Hong Kong’s first Certified Motherhood Educator, She is deeply committed to guiding women through early motherhood and provides mental health support to expectant women, mothers, and couples adjusting to parenthood. She adopts a variety of evidence-based approaches according to the needs of every unique individual, including CBT, Mindfulness, Play & Art Therapy.
This article was independently written by a third person or organisation. The opinions expressed in this article are of those of the authors. It is informative only and not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be relied upon for specific medical advice.
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