There are many misunderstandings about mental health counseling. Although it has gotten better, unfortunately there is still a stigma about receiving counseling. In this post, I will outline the top seven counseling myths.
- I must be mentally ill to seek counseling. The truth is that many people find counseling to be helpful, even when their issues are relatively minor. Counseling can help with various issues such as overwhelming stress, relationship problems or self-esteem. Sometimes just making the appointment helps you feel better!
- Everyone will know. With a few legal exceptions both your presence in counseling and the content of your sessions remain confidential. All counselors are bound by the ethics of their profession to keep what you say in counseling private. Counselors also cannot reveal that you are a client. This guarantee of privacy is necessary so that clients will feel comfortable giving their counselors as much detail as is required to treat them. Counselors are licensed by a state board, who will sanction them if they behave unethically.
- Counselors have their own issues. We all have issues. However, counselors are trained so that their own issues and problems will not interfere with counseling. Furthermore, counseling students are screened during their masters programs so that those with severe issues, or issues they cannot set aside for the good of their clients, are weeded out.
- My counselor is just going to give me a pill. Actually, counselors at the masters level do not prescribe psychotropic drugs. That is done only by psychiatrists. Counselors provide talk therapy, which helps correct unhealthy thinking and emotional patterns. Counselors will refer to a psychiatrist if talk therapy isn’t effective. Sometimes, a combination of drug and talk therapy is required.
- Counseling won’t work. There are many research studies showing that counseling is effective. However, client motivation and a good therapeutic alliance is a large part of the success in counseling. In fact, it matters little what method the counselor uses, as long as the counselor is consistent, competent and makes some effort to match the method to the client.
- I don’t want some stranger telling me what to do. Counselors are trained not to give advice, even though clients often ask for it. Although it would be easier and faster, giving advice is just a quick fix. It may fix the current problem but what will the client do the next time an issue arises? Rather, counselors help clients find their own solutions by teaching them skills. In this way, the change is permanent rather than temporary.
- Counseling is a sign of weakness. Asking for help is not a sign of weakness. Maintaining pride and attempting to go it alone when you know you need help is weakness. It takes a lot of courage to humble yourself and ask for help. It takes a lot of courage to humble yourself and ask for help.
