“In psychoanalytic treatment nothing happens but an exchange of words between the patient and the physician.” – Sigmund Freud.
The first thing that pops into most people’s minds when they hear the word ‘psychologist’ is the Freudian couch. The comfortable, velvety cushions succeeded in making the clients feel at home, more so in shaping people’s idea of what to expect once they enter the therapy room.
This may feel soothing to those individuals who have just booked their first appointment, but more often than not, people feel nervous and just plain uncomfortable with the idea of sharing their life story and personal problems with a stranger… and this is completely natural.
Therapy is a long process that many refuse to embark on simply because of societal beliefs. Society has led us to believe that therapy is a ‘taboo’ done by the vulnerable and pitiful, something that needs to be hidden and kept secret.
People may not want to spend their money on something they feel would lead to nowhere. People might think they are just not ‘bad’ enough to go to a psychologist. Others may try it but feel that it has made things worse.
The truth is that you will face criticism or people looking down on you for going to a therapy. But you have to keep in mind that you are going to therapy for you, and no one else, and that therapy is nothing to be ashamed of.
The truth is that therapy may not be cheap, but your well-being is precious and priceless.
The truth is that everyone has a right to go to therapy, whether it is because of lifestyle issues or a mental illness. The psychologist is not there to judge you for what you are going through, and you do not have to feel like you are wasting your psychologist’s time.
The truth is that therapy is like curve. Sometimes you are on the right track, sometimes you relapse or divert to old habits. And this, I state again, is completely natural. The hard truth is that it has to get worse to get better.
The psychologist helps you to delve into your life, your lifestyle, your history, making links and guiding you to make connections and arrive at conclusions. The psychologist is simply there to listen to your every life story, concern and episode, making sense of why, how and when things happen the way they do.
This may make people feel uncomfortable, challenged, and like their personal space has been invaded.
But this is completely natural. Many people may stop here, not being ready to see what there is on the other side of the discomfort and challenges. However, this does not mean they are a coward or a ‘giver-upper’.
There is a 65% chance that therapy is a success. You might say ‘What about the remaining 35%?’ Some people may respond more to medication, which really and truly requires its own article. However, the individual in therapy must want to get better and think that therapy will make him better for it to work.
Image Credits: Glasbergen
