10 myths about psychotherapy that you should know

The world of psychology in general, and the profession of psychotherapists in particular, are very likely to be the basis of many myths that are circulating in popular culture and that are totally false. Myths about the role of therapists, about mental disorders and about the possibilities of cure, among other things, which make the vision that we have about this field of work very biased and full of mistakes.

Definitely, these myths about psychotherapy They do not simply make people less aware of the work of psychologists, but also, because of them, they become they create prejudices and false expectations that are detrimental to the fit between these services and the people who provide them. needs.

• Related article: "Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: what is it and what principles is it based on?"

The main myths about psychotherapy

Therefore, reviewing one by one these different myths about psychotherapists and their work is beneficial to be clear about the usefulness and potential of this important resource. Let's see what are these wrong beliefs.

1. Therapy is only for people with disorders

People with mental disorders or diagnosed serious illnesses can have many reasons to visit a psychotherapist, but it is also perfectly normal. that people without any of these problems decide to have the services of one of these professionals.

For example, someone who wants to improve her cognitive performance may decide to use mind training. work memory, or learn ways to manage everyday problems.

2. The psychotherapist “cures”

In psychology it is not possible to reverse situations, make the person return to a stage prior to when a crisis or the first manifestations of a disorder appeared. The brain is a set of organs that is always changing, it never goes through the same state, and the same happens with mental states. When diagnosed disorders appear, you can dull your symptoms, but not make them completely disappear.

3. The patient maintains a passive role

Nothing is further from reality. Psychotherapists bring their expertise and tools, but patients are not limited to walking through the office door and let it be done They must do their part to progress.

4. Pay for someone to listen to us

The effectiveness of psychotherapy is not based simply on letting patients talk and vent, if much less. This myth may be based on a simplistic image of traditional psychoanalysis sessions, but not even current psychotherapy is based on the theories of Sigmund Freud nor does the service offered consist of giving the possibility for someone to listen to us.

In fact, psychotherapists they will only collect the relevant information to guide the process of diagnosis, prognosis and intervention, which means that in addition to collecting data on patients they use tools scientifically tested for which they have been trained and that, applied to patients, help improve their quality of life improve. For example, you can see this by taking a look at some cognitive-behavioral techniques.

5. Psychotherapy is giving advice

This is another of the most widespread myths about psychotherapy, but it is completely false. In psychology there are hardly any "golden rules" by which to guide our lives, but there are tools to apply in specific cases to improve people's quality of life. Patients should not expect the therapist to tell them how to organize their lives. On more specific topics.

6. In psychotherapy, anything goes as long as you believe in it.

This is completely false. Not all therapeutic proposals are valid, only those that have scientifically proven efficacy for a specific type of problem or objective. Believing that a method can work is not enough for it to actually be useful.

• Related article: "The 10 most effective types of psychological therapy"

7. Therapists impose their point of view

In treatments with scientifically proven efficacy, therapists they do not try to impose their own schemesRather, they collect information and, based on what they know at the time, they see which intervention is most effective in each case.

8. Optimism is taught in the sessions

therapy services They are not limited to simply spreading optimism. In fact, on many occasions this is not even necessary, since people show a predisposition to interpret things optimistically.

9. Reading self-help is like going to therapy

reading self help books has not been shown to have therapeutic efficacyAmong other things, because it does not allow interaction between patient and expert and, on the other hand, it cannot offer personalized treatment. Its usefulness is, rather, to offer content from which to reflect.

10. The improvement comes abruptly

The progress that occurs through therapy sessions usually comes gradually, not from one day to the next. In addition, this usually indicates that its effects will be persistent.