For some reason, there seems to be a stereotype surrounding therapy and counseling services. It seems like people are not only afraid to tell anyone that they receive counseling services, but they are also afraid to go in the first place. Therapy is often painted in an unflattering light. Society seems to think that since you are receiving help, you must be crazy or weak. In reality, attending therapy shows that you are strong enough to admit that you need some guidance. There is nothing to be ashamed of. We all need a little help sometimes.
The idea that only insane people go to therapy started many, many years ago, but in reality that is not the case. There are many different types of therapies like mental health counseling, grief counseling, couples counseling and the list goes on and on. Life throws us curveballs sometimes. We never plan on losing someone we love or dealing with a mental illness like depression. The thing is, when you attend a counseling session, you can feel less alone. It’s nice to be able to talk to someone who is completely unbiased in the situation and looking out for your best interest as well.
Another misconception surrounding therapy is that getting help means you are weak. We all have weaknesses, but it takes someone truly strong to realize their own weaknesses and try to change them for the better. Instead of looking at talking to a counselor as giving in to your weaknesses, look at it as a way to better yourself. In the long run, you will be happy that you received help when you needed it.
Some people also believe that going to therapy is like giving away control of their life. People do not want to go and have someone tell them what to do, but therapists are not meant to force their opinions and tactics on their client, they are there to listen and offer advice. Going to therapy does not mean that you are giving away your freedom to make decisions, it just means you will be given advice from an unbiased party that you can choose to use or ignore.
Therapy is not a waste of time or a sign of weakness. We all need some guidance every now and then in one area of life or another. Life can be hard, and you shouldn’t have to go through it alone. There is nothing to be ashamed of.
For more information on counseling services offered by NSU, visit hendersonbh.org/studentcounseling.
