What do you think of therapy?

26 comments

1. It varies.

   Some types of therapy aren’t evidence based. They can get you to dwell on the negatives of life and can get you to see yourself as a permanently scarred victim, with no answers or solutions. [They can make things worse (for example critical incident stress debriefing), or just be frustrating](https://www.bps.org.uk/psychologist/when-therapy-causes-harm).

   Other types of therapy are excellent! [They are based on evidence](https://positivepsychology.com/evidence-based-therapy/), offer you solutions and alternative ways of thinking and are very helpful.

2. At the very least it’s a good place to express your thoughts when you don’t have close relations who are safe to do that with and they are trained to not make things worse (or they are supposed to be). If can be super helpful to get your struggles to be less taxing overall in life but it only works if you put in the effort.

3. I’m all for it

4. It should be normalised, promoted and – honestly – completely covered by health insurances/social security, indefinitely.

   In Belgium, you only get up to a certain amount of sessions covered or paid back; if you go above the limited sessions, you pay the full price and that can cost hundreds or thousands of euros for those who really need therapy to be able to cope.

5. If i have money im getting it

6. It was a waste of money for me. It never helped and I tried many different therapists. Nothing. But I guess it has to do something with me being only 8 when walking in a therapist’s office for the first time. It just left me more traumatized.

7. It’s only as good as the therapist providing it. It also isn’t available and affordable for the majority of the American population so when people constantly preach about how EVERYONE should have therapy it’s a little annoying to me. After my dad passed everyone kept trying to push me to go to therapy (even though I was using healthy coping skills- walking, journaling, etc) and I have a wonderful support system to talk to. I also couldn’t afford it at all because I had just moved so I was barely able to buy food- let alone pay someone $50-$200 a week in therapy. A few of my friends and family members who are obsessed with therapy and it’s importance would bring it up every time I’d talk to them even after I repeatedly said ‘I can’t afford it’- nor was I showing any signs of troubled mental health. Overall I think it’s great. But I also think we’ve entered into an era where people think it’s absolutely necessary and available for everyone when in reality it’s not affordable to others and not everyone needs to see a therapist to process their trauma or grief.

8. It should be covered under basic health care. There needs to be easier access to it.

9. It’s great!

10. To me it’s a beautiful practice that lets us get to know our selves, our shadows, our potentials, so we can get to experience life fully cause we’re free to choose how we want to live.

    I practice Gestalt therapy and it’s the one I’ll always recommend, but ofc everyone should choose what fits them best.

11. I’ve given up on it. Makes me feel a lot of self hatred.

12. Very good in practice but not every therapist will work for every patient. The patient also needs to want change and work for it for the therapy to succeed.

    It can also be expensive and understaffed in various areas.

13. I’m all for it. I think everyone should go to therapy if they need it and don’t be ashamed if you do.

14. [removed]

15. I’ve gone to therapy off and on for years. I really like my current therapist. I will say, sometimes it’s trial and error to find the right one. It’s important to feel comfortable and build a good relationship with your therapist.

    And just to add…I hate the fact that money is a barrier for some people to receive adequate therapy services.

16. I think it works wonderfully for many people, and doesn’t work at all for others.

    Always be aware of any claims that a specific treatment works for all. No such treatment exists. Including therapy. If you tried therapy and it didn’t work for you, that’s totally fine.

    My experience after many attempts at many different types of therapy is that it’s simply not an effective treatment for me. My experience wasn’t negative, I’m glad I gave it a try, but the benefits don’t justify the time and money for me. Not even close. Obviously, many other people have completely different experiences

17. Therapy backed by science and results: great. But it’s still only as good as the therapist and what effort you put in.

    I have a friend who sandbags with every therapist she has then complains about life being too hard. People like that suck.

18. Huge supporter of talk therapy with a licensed professional counselor. It works wonders for me. I also recognize a) privilege and b) YMMV. Not everyone is lucky enough to find a great therapist. Mine is usually more a sounding board for things and a place to safely vent than it is a step-by-step clinical procedure. I also know my therapist is there if I need a reality check or if he picks up on something I’m saying / not saying. I have noticed an anecdotal difference between an Licensed Clinical Social Worker vs a Licensed Professional Counselor. I prefer the LCSW – in my experience, they treat more of the whole person, including a network, rather than just treating symptoms.

19. I’m all for it. If one has an issue that is outside or too much of how others can help you, they’re great. A therapist can help sort things out on large or small scale issues. It’s also not usually a quick fix. Sometimes it takes several sessions to get to the root of a problem. For deeper trauma therapy is amazing with the right ones. They aren’t all good, some are downright terrible. When you find one you get along with and who really sees you, it’s great.

20. I think it’s good in general. I haven’t had the best experience with it. I know it would help a lot to get back into it, but I never get around to it and I haven’t prioritized it

21. Needs to be more affordable and accessible. Can be hard to find a good therapist “match.” Have been in and out of therapy since a child, it never really helped me because I struggled to find the right therapist for me, until recently. I found a therapist I’m comfortable with & I have learned a lot from. You also have to be willing to put in the work, and to make changes. It’s not an easy journey, but well worth it & potentially life changing. & mental health in general is a life-long struggle. It truly helps to learn & practice coping skills, practice emotional regulation, etc.

22. It’s great if you find a good fit with a therapist, if you actually are willing to WORK on yourself and make changes. I’m tired of seeing people complain about therapy like it’s supposed to be a fairly godmother hitting you with a magical spell. You have to work, to admit your faults your limits and take responsibility for what you can do. If you spend an hour complaining and venting that can feel good but don’t be surprised if NOTHING changes in your life. If you don’t apply new techniques and try coping mechanisms and change habits and behaviors or whatever that can help you, it’s not magic: nothing will change. It should be free and accessible for all of course! I strongly suggest it to people BEFORE you get in too deep (if affordable and accessible for them). The time to go is when you feel something is off, if you need help and feel stuck on an issue, ideally not at rock bottom. Try to avoid hitting rock bottom with therapy.

23. Partner says “I think it’s good, and everyone should do it.”

24. Overall a good Tool and opportunity to tackle your demons in a healthy way. However its benefits really Depend on how much a Person is willing to be honest with themselves

25. It’s really hard to be vulnerable but there is such a release on the other side of each session. I usually dread it so much beforehand and then I am so thankful I went afterwards. I think everyone should try it.

26. I’m for it, it just needs be cheaper.