Debunking Common Therapy Myths

Despite growing awareness about mental health, therapy is still surrounded by myths that keep many people from getting the support they deserve.

Let’s break down a few of the most common misconceptions I hear—and what therapy actually is.

a person listening and debunking therapy myths

Myth 1: Therapy is for people who are “broken.”Truth: Therapy is for people who are human. You don’t need a diagnosis or a crisis to benefit. Many clients come to therapy simply because they want to understand themselves better, change long-standing patterns, or feel more connected.

Myth 2: A therapist will tell me what to do.Truth: Therapy is collaborative, not prescriptive. I don’t give one-size-fits-all advice. Instead, I help you listen to your own internal wisdom and explore what feels right for you.

Myth 3: Talking about it will make it worse.Truth: Avoidance may bring short-term relief, but long-term healing often requires naming what’s been hard. With the right support, facing your emotions can actually reduce their intensity and open space for healing.

Myth 4: Therapy means focusing on the past.Truth: We might explore the past to understand patterns, but therapy is just as much about building tools and clarity for the present—and future.

At Gateway Therapy, I offer a compassionate, non-pathologizing space where therapy is about understanding, not fixing. Call now.