Considering psychotherapy can be intimidating, being on this site thinking about making a call may cause you to question yourself. But this is the one gift you will give yourself that will keep on giving. Giving insight, self-awareness and ultimately peace of mind. As scary as it is, move to the next step and take action!
Here are some of the common roadblocks to starting psychotherapy:
The Money Factor:
As with anything else, there is a financial commitment to psychotherapy, but it’s an investment in yourself that keeps giving long after you are no longer in therapy. I am fully aware there might be financial and time restrictions, which is the reason I am committed to offering a selection of services and packages to meet you where you are.
Psychotherapy is for “Crazy” People:
In many cultures, including many in the Caribbean, psychotherapy is seen as a resource for “crazy people.” For others, it is not ok to take “dirty laundry” outside the family or the church. For others it may be a sign of weakness…the list goes on. As someone on the other side of the couch, taking all cultural attitudes into consideration, psychotherapy can help any and everyone.
Everyone’s experience is not the same:
As with everything else, there are good and bad fits. Psychotherapy is no different, but unfortunately, the negative experiences are discussed more than the success stories. Take a chance to create your own experience; your uniqueness and what you bring into the room may result in a very different outcome. Don’t let someone’s bad experience get in the way of you creating your own experience and improving your life. And if you did have a bad experience in the past take another chance, you are with a different person, perhaps at another place in your life, therefore creating new outcomes.
Confidentiality:
If you are concerned about confidentiality and privacy, talk therapy is usually the best option. Though speaking to family and friends can be beneficial, those relationships cannot replace speaking with a well trained professional. Have you ever shared a concern with a friend, moved on from that feeling or where you were only to have that person constantly remind you of the situation? Over-sharing with friends and family can be particularly destructive in couples. Did you ever vent, in a moment of frustration to a friend or family member only to have that person hold on to those feeling about your partner forever? Yup, that can be remedied by talking to a professional. You can decide to leave those thoughts and feeling with that person at their office. Confidentiality, of course will not apply in cases where there is a threat of harm to yourself or others - child or elder abuse, physical, sexual or any other abuse.
Well…I don’t know how/what to say:
Many clients come into therapy expecting to clearly articulate what’s on their mind, I can assure you, it has never happened that way. So it’s quite ok if you don’t know exactly what is on your mind; we will figure it out together, just show up!
Would People Judge Me?:
Sometimes what is foreign/different is scary; this also holds true for psychotherapy. Because so little is actually known about what actually happens in the room, people may have a variety of opinions about your undertaking. Ultimately, psychotherapy is about your personal development, and people who have your best interest at heart will support your efforts to improve yourself. By the way, many people are in therapy and never tell…not even their best friend or partner.
I have trouble asking for or accepting help:
Everything in moderation, and balance between independence and dependence promotes the most harmony. Independence is sometimes overrated and so living one’s life with the myth of total independence increases loneliness and isolation. It also promotes unnecessary suffering and unhappiness. It’s ok to ask for help and get support. For many of you, asking for help in the form of talk therapy will initially feel like weakness, but give it a try and you may discover that what you see as weakness is really support and taking care of yourself.
Leaving the Past in the Past:
The past, if left unresolved is similar to an unexpected house-guest in your head, thoughts of the past keeps popping in for extended stays. You may not want to acknowledge the past but the past is not all you discuss in psychotherapy. The past is explored as it pertains to and is relevant to your present day situation. Wishing away experiences of the past may help you cope initially, but for long term growth and resolution the past has to be explored and resolved. Worse-case scenario is that it remains the same; best-case scenario, you find a new way of understanding and dealing with the past.
