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Who Goes to a Psychotherapist ?
Unfortunately, in many areas there is still a
stigma attached to seeing a therapist. Some people believe that a therapist is
to be avoided at all costs - unless you just can’t help it. However, there are
many reasons to consult a therapist. For some people the reason may be the
troubling symptoms of depression (e.g. despair, hopelessness, irritability, and
a general lack of pleasure in life). For some it may be the need to adjust to
major life changes (e.g. divorce, the death of a loved one, a major illness such
as HIV infection or AIDS). For others, it may be an interest in understanding
themselves better - learning why they do some of the things they do. This can be
especially true regarding relationships. Why do we pick the types of partners
that we do (especially if we have a history of picking partners who are not good
for us in the long run)?
There are some myths about who goes to see a therapist. The first myth suggests
that only severely psychologically impaired people consult a therapist. The
truth is very different; seeking a psychotherapist’s assistance requires
curiosity, honesty toward oneself, and, courage. These are qualities that
signify emotional health. The next myth is that seeing a therapist means that “I
can’t do it myself.” There is an ethos in our culture which suggests that we
should be completely self-sufficient and independent. However, the ability to
recognize that we are interdependent and need other people is also a sign of
emotional health. A final myth is that working with a therapist will be painful
and we will be forced to face unpleasant facts about ourselves. My experience
suggests that instead of learning unpleasant things about themselves, most
people learn in therapy that they are not as “bad” as they feared and much more
lovable than they hoped.
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