Seeking professional help from a counselor can be a huge step in overcoming PTSD, yet many have their reservations. Opinions on therapy tend to be mixed, and there is a lot of misinformation floating around. Unfortunately, most of these opinions give a bad name to a proven, well-respected method of recovery. Here are some of the most common therapy myths, and why they are just not true.
Talking to Friends Is Just as Effective
Although friends can certainly be a big help when trying to help you overcome mental hurdles, they do not have the same skill set as professional therapists. They have education, training and experience in treating PTSD specifically, making them more qualified to help you overcome your problems. Therapy is more than just talking and listening with another person; there are many techniques and strategies.
Therapists are able to use their lack of bias to an advantage. It is easier for them to pick up on trends in a client’s lifestyle that might otherwise go unnoticed between two close friends. It is also easier to be comfortably open with therapists, as they are required to keep information confidential. There are some things that you would even prefer to hide with your closest friends, which may be more suited for the ears of a therapist.
You Are Crazy if You Go to Therapy
The stigma against people who seek therapy has diminished over the years, yet is still a prevalent concern. After all, there are many people who go to therapy with many other issues other than PTSD.. All the more reason if you are dealing with other illnesses that stem from PTSD, such as depression or Xanax addiction signs. Nobody is perfect, and it’s important to do your best to take on any mental health issues you may be facing, regardless of what others think.
Therapy Is Too Expensive
Therapy can get expensive, especially depending on how many sessions are needed over time, but there are a couple ways to go about making it more affordable. One of the first things you should look into doing is checking with your health insurance. There are many therapists that either accept insurance, or work with people who do not have enough money to afford it.
If your insurance is not cutting it, you could look into sessions offered by students from a graduate program, where students are unpaid, while learning to become therapists. Since students are required to do 3,000 hours of supervised service, it is typically cheaper, or free in some cases.
Despite the overall cost of therapy, the end goal of becoming mentally healthy can be priceless. It is worth at least attempting a cheaper therapy session to see if it is right for you.
Therapy Never Ends
There is no telling how long your own therapy will last, but most people are able to recover in around 3 to 4 months. Everyone has unique problems, so most people move at different paces. Early in treatment, you will typically work out a recovery plan with your therapist, based on your specific needs. You may feel like your therapist will want to keep you around for as long as they can, but their actual goal is to make sure that you will be able to move on without their help.
While many people with PTSD are concerned about receiving treatment due to misconceptions, this is a situation where fact outweighs fiction. If you are considering seeking therapy, you should not avoid it just because of myths.