8 Myths About Therapy - Truths and Misunderstandings

Lots of people have ideas about therapy that aren’t quite right. And beliefs about what therapy “should” or “shouldn’t” be can stop people asking for help. Here are eight myths you may have heard, and some honest thoughts behind each one.

Myth 1: Counselling Is Only for “Serious” Mental Illness

Reality: Not true! Therapy often helps with everyday life stresses, worries, low mood, grief, identity questions, and life transitions. It can also support your desire to feel more like yourself again.

Myth 2: Talking to Friends or Family Is Just as Good as Therapy

Reality: While supportive friends and family are important, a trained counsellor offers impartial, attentive listening, unconditional acceptance, and confidentiality — skills that friends and family can’t always provide.

Myth 3: Therapy Means Your Therapist Tells You What to Do

Reality: Therapy is collaborative. A good therapist helps you explore and understand your feelings, working alongside you to decide the best way forward.

Myth 4: Therapy Will Fix Everything Fast

Reality: A good counsellor won’t offer instant fixes. Change takes time but it begins with one step. The journey might feel uncomfortable or difficult, and that’s part of the process. But with the right support, healing is possible.

Myth 5: You Have to Lie on a Couch and Talk the Whole Time

Reality: Some therapists use a couch but many don’t. And if you don’t feel like speaking that’s ok; periods of silence are common. Some counsellors also use creative or visual tools to help clients explore feelings when words are hard to find.

Myth 6: Seeking Therapy Means You’re Weak

Reality: Therapy is for the brave. It takes strength to look inward, to ask for help, to say “I matter.” Seeking help means having the courage to recognise your value, not deny it, especially when life gets hard..

Myth 7: You Always Need Many Sessions

Reality: Not everyone needs long-term therapy. Some clients benefit from just a few sessions and feel better after really being listened to; others prefer longer term work. It depends on you and what you want to explore.

Myth 8: Therapy Is Too Expensive and Not Worth It

Reality: Therapy can be one of the most meaningful investments you make in your wellbeing. Some therapists offer flexible fees, online options or shorter sessions. The benefits of better mental well-being usually outweigh the cost.

What This Means for You

• If any of these myths have held you back, you’re not alone.

• Therapy can be whatever you need it to be: a few sessions, long-term, in person or online.

• In Gloucestershire, you can find a counsellor who is accredited, who is experienced with your kind of issue, and who offers a style that resonates. Susan Anderton works with adults at all ages and stages of life and is accredited with the National Counselling & Psychotherapy Society.
  

How to Move Past These Myths

• Talk to therapists during free initial consultations.

• Ask questions: how many sessions, methods, cost?
  Consider what feels safe and comfortable for you (location, style, rapport).
  
  

Therapy has misconceptions, but many of those myths fall apart when you look closely. If you’re thinking about counselling, it might help just to speak to someone.

Sometimes it’s that first conversation that begins to shift everything.