7 common misconceptions about psychotherapy

The word "therapy" can be frightening - so much around him there is an speculation. Someone thinks that going to a psychologist - the lot of the mentally ill, someone - it's basically a meaningless exercise. These statements, as well as many others, are wrong. Below are refuted and the most popular ones.

1. For therapists go only crazy

This is perhaps the most important myth of psychotherapy. Although more than once said: people with mental disorders treated by psychiatrists. All others are turning to psychotherapists to understand themselves and their lives. Occasion for consultation may be the most common, for example, the desire to earn more money or to establish relationship with partner.

The representative of the American Psychological Association Bafq Lynn (Lynn Bufka) advises to pay a visit to a specialist for those who feels that he can not cope with the problems, and feels depressed.

2. Psychotherapy - for losers. I myself can solve their problems

If a man find a tumor, he turns to the surgeon, and the operation does not own. The same should apply to the main human body - soul. Therefore, if it is not all right, it is better to ask for help from a professional than to self-medicate.

Kiselnikova Natalia, Head of Laboratory of counseling psychology and psychotherapy Psychological Institute RAO, emphasizes: no reading professional literature in psychology or medication are not a substitute therapy. Skill communicate with itself It does not develop through the acquisition of new knowledge, and in contact with others. And no one pill does not help to find the meaning of life.

3. My psychologist - this is my friend

Firstly, one can not act as a psychotherapist. And a professor of psychology at Fuller School Ryan Howes (Ryan Howes) gives it several explanations.

The first is that even the wisest friend has no vocational training, to which the therapist may spend up to 10 years.

The second reason - friends involvement in interpersonal relationships that preclude objectivity on the part of one and the necessary emancipation from another.

By the way, this is why professional therapists will never work with family and friends.

Infidelity and another position: Psychotherapist - it's just a fee each. As the New York psychologist Alina Gorst (Alena Gerst), the relationship between the therapist and the patient - this is a very peculiar relationship, where the second is given much more attention than the first. This fact prevents the creation of this friendships.

4. Sport can replace psychotherapy

Sports, of course, stimulate the release of endorphins, that is, are a kind of antidepressant. But in general, they do not solve the psychological problems. On the contrary, intensive exercise can be a departure from the difficulties and eventually lead to physical injury.

The situation is different if the sport combined with psychotherapy. Such an active method, such as the American practicing tennis therapist and Felix Treytler (Felix Treitler). Together with his patients he deals with different kinds of physical and creative activity, during which worked out certain emotions, from anger and frustration to joy and a sense of success.

5. Psychotherapy takes a long time

This statement probably refers to psychoanalysis. In addition to his many other practices, and quite short. In addition, the patient himself can set the time frame for its therapy. After all, it is from his will largely depend on its success.

6. Psychologists merely need money

Ryan Howes rightly pointed out: people who want to get rich, will be engaged in business rather than all day will listen to other people's problems. This does not mean that the psychologist does not need money: Like any professional, he wants to be rewarded for their work. But he also wants to get satisfaction from it. The main task of a professional psychologist - to help the patient deal with his problem. The faster and more effectively it will do it, the more successful will feel.

7. Psychotherapy did not help me, then it does not work

The grounds on which therapy was ineffective, vary widely. For example, a client may make such a conclusion after one or two sessions, when there is not a connection to the psychologist and practice really does not start.

Another reason - the lack of involvement of the patient in the process.

Many people believe that psychotherapy magically solve their problems. But a presence at the meetings is not enough: you have to work hard together with the psychologist.

It should also be remembered that the therapist does not possess a secret happy life. He does not give advice, but only helps to get to know themselves and to look differently at the world.

Finally, another reason for treatment failure can consist in the fact that people just do not find your specialist. Clinical psychologist and blogger Stephanie Smith (Stephanie Smith) states: compatibility between the therapist and the client - the main guarantee of the success of the practice. It is more important than jewels and qualifications of the doctor, and the method and duration of therapy.

Output

Ultimately, practice psychotherapy or not - a personal choice. But he, at least, should be based on a correct understanding of the subject. Otherwise, a person is not only stays in illusions, but also alienates himself from the possible solutions to problems.