You’ve been feeling off for a while, you feel restless, but you are getting your work done and replying to texts. Something however feels heavy and you aren’t able to understand why.
You think about going to therapy but then you find yourself indulging in doubts- Is my problem even that serious? Will I be asked about my childhood? Are people going to judge me?
If any of that sounds familiar, this one is a must read for you.
What is Therapy? Meaning, Benefits of Therapy and How Therapy Works
Therapy, also called ‘Psychotherapy’ is a form of treatment aimed at relieving emotional distress and mental health problems. The term psychotherapy is derived from Ancient Greek ‘psyche’ (meaning "breath; spirit; soul") and ‘therapeia’ (meaning "healing; medical treatment"). It is provided by a variety of trained professionals— psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers or licensed counsellors. Therapy involves gaining insight and information about the decisions made by the client and the difficulties that they face.
Who can Seek Therapy?
Therapy can be sought by individuals, couples as well as families. Therapy sessions involve discussions between you and the therapist with the goal of improving the quality of life, interpersonal relationships, academic and occupational satisfaction and providing knowledge and support that may be needed in order to solve certain problems in life. A critical aspect of therapy is that after a certain number of sessions as recommended by the therapist, the client should be able to get through their problems in a better way and notice improvements in various aspects of their lives.
Why Does This Conversation Matter Today?
The taboo around mental health has reduced in the 21st century due to increasing awareness regarding the importance of mental wellbeing. With an increase in competition in educational, occupational as well as social aspects of life, there has been an increase in the pressure to fare well. This leads to tremendous rise in working hours and overproductivity which consequently results in burnout, stress and fatigue which is often not taken seriously and brushed off as a part of life or as a price one has to pay for affording the lifestyle that they do. India is developing rapidly, especially metropolitan cities like Mumbai, which is a hub of diversity for not only culture and industries but also the problems that are caused by a high demand for productivity.
Urban mental health issues are significant, with studies showing 13.5% prevalence of mental disorders in urban areas.
In Indian culture, talking about one’s mental health is still considered to be scandalous and a shock. It is viewed negatively and as a weakness. This further discourages a person from seeking therapy or discussing and enquiring about mental wellbeing of oneself and others as they fear it may reflect negatively. Due to such ideologies, it is important that one actively understands what therapy actually is and gains awareness about mental health so that they can educate their loved ones and also seek the help that they themselves and those around them might require.
Common Therapy Myths Debunked: Understanding What Therapy Really Is
Myth- Therapy is only for those with serious mental illness
Reality- Therapy is for everyone. Therapy helps with managing stress, relationships and transitions in life such as marriage, birth of a child and death of a loved one.
You do not have to be in a huge crisis in order to seek therapy. Think of it as going to the gym before you get unhealthy, not later.
Myth- Talking to a therapist is the same as talking to a friend
Reality- No, it is NOT one and the same!
In most situations, friends always validate our emotions and tell us what we want to hear and lack the lenses of objectivity.
On the other hand, a therapist is professionally trained to identify mental health challenges, view situations from an objective perspective without bias and intervene with scientific evidence-based approaches.
Myth- Therapy means something is wrong with you
Reality- Seeking therapy is a sign of self-awareness, not weakness.
It takes courage to look inward and ask for help; that's a strength, not a flaw.
It is important not to blame yourself or self-diagnose as it only adds up to the mental distress.
Myth- You will have to talk about your childhood every session
Reality- Different therapists have different approaches.
They alter their techniques and strategies as per your needs.
Childhood related information is required during history intake but isn’t asked for in later sessions in most cases unless deemed important or relevant to what the client is currently going through.
Myth- Therapy takes years and never ends
Reality- The amount of time required for each individual to benefit from therapy differs from person to person based on their goals and intensity of problems.
Some may get better by the sixth or seventh session while some may require a year’s worth of sessions.
Myth- I will be judged by others for seeking therapy
Reality- Therapy is a confidential practice.
Whatever is shared between the client and the therapist remains strictly confidential unless there is a possibility that the person might hurt themselves or others.
The client is in control of who to inform and who not to.
Myth- Therapy is only for adults
Reality- Therapy is for all– children, adults, elders and even families altogether.
In fact, early support can lead to better improvement and wellbeing of the client.
Click here to know more.
What Happens in Therapy? How Therapy Works in Real-life
The first session of therapy can be anxiety-provoking or a bit uncomfortable as it involves talking about the past and reliving childhood memories. It’s normal to feel nervous or unsure of what to expect. Most therapists spend the first session asking general questions to get a sense of the client’s background, their past experience with therapy, and what issues they’re hoping to address. The therapist also talks about the confidentiality of these sessions. The number of sessions per month is based on the intensity of distress that the client is experiencing or the extent to which they require extensive help. It can be weekly, fortnightly or monthly. It is also possible to get therapy online in case you are not able to attend it in person. This makes therapy more accessible. The number of sessions one will need to completely stop therapy depends on how they respond to it and the speed of their progress and development. There are different types of therapy and they work best when they align with the client’s issues and needs.
Some Types of Therapy Are–
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
- Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT)
- Psychodynamic Therapy
- Humanistic Therapy
- Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)
- Play Therapy
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
- Interpersonal Therapy
- Creative Arts Therapies
When to Seek Help? Signs You Should Consider Therapy
If you have experienced the following instances in recent days then you should consider reaching out to a therapist–
- You've felt persistently sad, anxious, or empty for more than two weeks
- Your sleep, appetite, or concentration has changed noticeably
- You're withdrawing from people or things you used to enjoy
- You're using food, alcohol, or screens to cope more than usual
- A relationship — with a partner, parent, or child — feels consistently stuck
- You've experienced something traumatic and can't stop thinking about it
- You just feel like something is off, even if you can't explain it
Reach out to Ankur Mental Health Services to understand how you can receive best help in Mumbai and in Thane.
It is not necessary that you have to tick each box off of the list. Feeling that you might need support to get through is enough of a reason to seek therapy.
This blog is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional psychological advice. If you are experiencing a mental health concern, we encourage you to speak with a qualified mental health professional.
Ready to take that first step? Our team at Ankur Mental Health Clinic in Mumbai and Thane is here to help. Book a consultation today.