Orange County Psychologist Debunks 7 Common Myths About Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is essential for people struggling with a variety of emotional and psychological challenges to get relief and healing. Unfortunately, several myths prevent people from seeking out therapy, especially people from Asian backgrounds where talking about personal problems is strongly discouraged. As an Asian Psychologist in Orange County, I want to debunk some common myths to inform people of this valuable resource and make psychotherapy more accessible to everyone.
Myth 1: “Therapy is only for crazy people.”
Fact: When people say this, typically, the “crazy people” they’re referring to are the ones who speak to themselves and see or hear things that are not there. These are people who are likely suffering from visual and/or audio hallucinations and experiencing psychosis. Weekly, outpatient psychotherapy is inappropriate for someone in this condition. They need a higher level of care like hospitalization.
Other than that situation, everyone could benefit from therapy. Therapy is not just for individuals with diagnosed mental health conditions. It can be beneficial for anyone facing life's challenges, big or small. Here are some common reasons why people go to therapy: grieving a break-up, work stress, loss of a loved one, depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress symptoms, anger, marital problems, low self-esteem, life transitions, parenthood, parent-child conflicts, or personal growth.
Despite these struggles, people who seek out therapy are typically high-functioning individuals from all walks of life. Therapy is a neutral supportive space to explore and understand your thoughts and feelings. It's a proactive step towards self-care and mental well-being, not a last resort for those deemed “crazy”.
Myth 2: “People who go to therapy are weak.”
Fact: I cringe whenever I hear this statement. Nothing could be further from the truth! Seeking therapy is a sign of tremendous strength, not weakness. It takes so much self-awareness to recognize you have a problem. And so much humility to acknowledge that you need help. This is especially true if you’re Asian because talking about your problems outside of the family is strongly discouraged in the Asian community. It’s especially important to look for a culturally competent Asian Psychologist in Orange County who understands the unique challenges and perspectives of the Asian community. Therapy with a culturally sensitive therapist can provide a safe space for individuals to explore their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, and learn new skills leading to personal growth and resilience. People might feel weak entering therapy, but the reality is that their awareness, humility, and courage are manifestations of true strength.
Myth 3: “My problem is not serious enough to go to therapy.”
Fact: People who think this, tend to rank traumas. They often feel like they don’t have the right to feel what they feel because their traumas/hardships are “not as bad” as someone else’s. As such, they don’t want to take up time and space that could be used for someone else. A culturally sensitive Asian Psychologist would recognize this as evidence of your collectivistic cultural values and thoughtfulness for the needs of others. Research shows that Asians tend to not seek help until a problem reaches the severity of a crisis.
The reality is that addressing a problem when it’s small is so much easier than doing it when it becomes a full-fledged problem that interferes with your ability to function or your relationships. The bigger the problem the longer it takes to resolve and for the wound to heal. Successful treatment outcomes in therapy are always better when a problem is addressed sooner rather than later.
If you have any inkling that therapy could help you with something, please don’t wait to reach out for help. Know that your problems are just as worthy and deserving of attention as another person’s. Getting help sooner increases your chances of feeling better with less investment in time and money for therapy.
Myth 4: “The therapist will tell me what to do to fix my problems.”
Fact: Therapy is not a generic one-size-fits-all treatment. A good therapist will not give you a templated list of things to do to get rid of a problem and send you on your way. Therapy with every patient is unique and individualized. You might be suffering from depression like a lot of people, but the reasons why you’re depressed and your depression symptoms are unique to you. As such, therapy is a highly collaborative process. The therapist needs your participation in sharing what you know about yourself, your unique situation, and what has worked and not worked for you in the past. A lot of people who are new to therapy think they want to be told what to do to fix their problems (aka advice). But the reality is, they don’t. Most people get defensive and push back at the faintest whiff of being told what to do. When you receive therapy from an experienced Psychologist like myself, you will not be getting a generic list of interventions for your problem. You’ll get something more valuable – a deep understanding and insight into how your problems come to be, the roles you and other people in your life play to maintain the problem, what you’d like to change and what you’d like to keep, and practice new ways of thinking and being in the world.
Myth 5: “Therapy should only take 1-3 sessions.”
Fact: People have a hard time understanding and appreciating why therapy takes so long. Change takes effort and time. Therapy is a process that requires commitment, patience, and active participation from the individual seeking help. It takes time for your story to be told. I’m not talking about the bullet point facts of your life, but the detailed narrative of important people, life-changing experiences, and the development of core beliefs about yourself and the world. A lot of times, people have limited appreciation for how influential experiences in their lives are until they are asked about it in therapy. It also takes time to learn new skills – new ways of seeing yourself and others, and new ways of being in the world. As with everything, learning something new is hard. It takes time to practice these new skills to a level where they become as close to second nature as possible. While therapy can provide valuable insights and tools for personal growth, lasting change requires ongoing self-reflection, practice, and integration of new skills into daily life.
Myth 6: “I have to use insurance to pay for therapy.”
Fact: No, you don’t. It is quite common to pay for therapy out of pocket, even if they have health insurance coverage. There are several compelling reasons why paying for therapy out of pocket is a better choice than using insurance and being restricted to finding an in-network provider.
One of the key advantages of paying for therapy out of pocket is the increased level of privacy and confidentiality it offers. When using health insurance to cover therapy sessions, individuals may be required to disclose personal information and diagnoses to their insurance company. Opting to pay out of pocket allows individuals to maintain full control over their personal information and ensures that their therapy sessions remain confidential.
Another important consideration is the flexibility and autonomy of paying for therapy out of pocket. Health insurance plans often have limitations on the number of sessions covered or the types of therapy available within their network. By paying out of pocket, individuals have the freedom to choose a therapist that best fits their needs, preferences, treatment modality, and therapeutic goals without being restricted by the insurance company’s bottom line.
A good compromise between paying out of pocket for therapy and using insurance is choosing the PPO insurance option. A PPO affords advantages such as increased privacy, flexibility in therapist selection, and a more personalized treatment experience, while also allowing you to get a portion of the therapy fee reimbursed.
Myth 7: “I need to get rid of this problem first before I can do ___.”
Fact: I usually hear this myth from people who just started therapy. They talk about therapy and life as a linear process. For example, they need to completely resolve their trust issues before dating again. Or they need to feel confident and self-assured before starting a new business venture. Life is messy and rarely goes as planned in a linear fashion. You don't have to wait until you're "perfect" or "healed" to start living your life fully. A good chunk of time in therapy is helping people pick themselves up and resume living while being battered and bruised by life. Therapy can help you embrace your imperfections, learn from life’s lessons, and cultivate a sense of self-acceptance and resilience to be an active participant in life, and not merely an observer of life.
Concluding facts about therapy
In summary, psychotherapy with culturally competent Asian Psychologists in Orange County is a valuable tool for healing, self-discovery, and mental well-being. By dispelling these myths and embracing the true nature of therapy, we can make therapy and mental health more accessible for the Asian community and anyone unfamiliar with psychotherapy. Remember, seeking help is a sign of strength, your problems are just as important as other people’s, and therapy works to heal and enhance your emotional well-being. Thank you for joining me on this journey of myth-busting and mental health advocacy.