Misconception 1: Therapy is about wallowing in the past.
Psychoanalytic therapy looks at a person's past to understand their present state of mind. Our current thoughts, feelings, and actions have important links with our history. These links can help us understand how to make changes. Sometimes talking about the past conjures difficult feelings or memories that we would rather avoid. The thoughts and feelings that are avoided are often the most important. It’s not about self-indulgent wallowing or whining. Therapy has to do with reckoning with the past, and facing difficult things about oneself in order to make productive changes.
Misconception 2: Therapy is for crazy people.
People come to psychoanalytic therapy for different reasons, but it usually comes down to wanting to feel better and make life-changing improvements. Psychoanalytic therapy is often thought of as a maturation process. Patients learn how to make better use of their minds and emotions. Similar to how athletes develop physical fitness, people develop mental and emotional fitness in therapy. This type of development alleviates problems like depression and anxiety, and improves numerous areas of human performance.
Misconception 3: Therapy is all about sex.
Sex is discussed in therapy, but patients talk about everything that affects them. A well-trained therapist is a particularly safe person to talk with about virtually anything. The subjects that are most difficult to talk about, or even think about, are often the most valuable once they are understood. Ethical practice of psychotherapy means that therapists are careful and reliable about interpersonal boundaries, confidentiality, and what makes people feel safe. The ability to speak one’s mind freely allows for new kinds of understanding that can bring about personal growth.
Misconception 4: Therapy is a waste of time and money.
Sometimes people have a bad experience in therapy, particularly if the therapist is not right for them. Once a person is in therapy it crucial to discuss, with the therapist, whether it is helpful or not. This kind of discussion can help realign goals for the therapy. If it is not helpful it may best to try a different therapist. It is important to remember that the patient’s agenda is most important.
When therapy works, patients report a greatly increased capacity to love their partners, children, and families. They report that all sorts of psychiatric symptoms are relieved. They talk about finding confidence and contentment for the first time in their lives. It is hard to place a monetary value on becoming optimistic, stable, happy, and secure. How much money is a good relationship worth? Changes through therapy cost money and take time. Psychoanalytic therapy is not for everyone, but many who have done it find lasting satisfaction.
Misconception 5: There is no scientific proof that therapy works.
In fact, there is a great deal of scientific evidence that shows how psychoanalytic therapy improves people’s lives. Psychoanalytic therapy is associated with many organizations that have done outstanding and innovative research. Follow the links below for more about this scientific evidence.
LINKS:
Division 39, American Psychological Association
Denver Psychoanalytic Society
International Psychoanalytic Association
American Psychoanalytic Association
Vermont Association For Psychoanalytic Studies
