There are a lot of myths surrounding therapy and the reasons that people seek treatment. Many people mistakenly believe that seeking help from a mental health professional is a sign of weakness or an indication that they are “crazy,” but this is not the case. Just as you would not hesitate to see a doctor about a broken arm, there is no need to hesitate or feel shame about seeing a therapist. Other misconceptions include the idea that seeing a psychologist takes too much time or that therapy requires years and years to make a difference. In most cases, therapy does not need to be long-term, and even six to eight sessions can help. The length of sessions can vary as well, so even those with hectic schedules may have the chance to attend shorter sessions if necessary. Some people may think their problems can be solved by medication alone and wish to avoid therapy altogether. However, medicine combined with therapy has been shown to far more effective, and in many cases, medication is not necessary and results can be achieved through talk therapy alone. Whatever the reasons a person may have for being hesitant to speak with a psychologist, the potential benefits far outweigh the costs.

Michael Winters is a Psychologist in Houston focusing on marriage counseling and therapy. Michael received his PhD from the University of Memphis and has been practicing since 1991.