Why People Are Hesitant About Therapy
Despite growing awareness around mental health, many people still feel hesitant to seek therapy. This reluctance can stem from various factors, and understanding these barriers is key to fostering a culture of openness and support.
The Stigma of Therapy
Many individuals fear being judged by friends, family, or society for needing help. There is still a lingering misconception that seeking therapy implies weakness, a sign of failure, or that it’s “only for crazy people.” While this should be a ridiculous notion, unfortunately the narratives we receive regarding stigmas penetrate our minds and hearts. Sometimes we need to embrace our inner Rage Against the Machine, and “take the power back.”
Fear of Vulnerability
Opening up to a therapist means confronting uncomfortable emotions, traumas, or issues that some may not be ready to face. This fear of emotional exposure can make the process feel daunting. It’s also the necessary evil for liberating the hurts that we accumulate and carry throughout life.
Cost and Accessibility
Therapy can be expensive, and not everyone has access to affordable mental health care. Limited availability of mental health professionals in some areas further complicates the situation. The ushering in of telehealth has transformed accessibility to mental healthcare. Other resources like Superbills offer an opportunity for reimbursement for out-of-pocket costs. Each of these have helped to revolutionize access and affordability for mental health services.
Doubts About Effectiveness of Therapy
Lastly, some individuals may believe that they can manage their struggles alone, or they might have had negative experiences with therapy in the past. There’s plenty of research that supports the effectiveness of therapy to reduce symptoms – and I invite you to do some brief research. And as I tell my own clients…anything that we value or place significance upon requires two things – time and effort.
Breaking down these barriers requires ongoing efforts to normalize therapy, increase access, and promote the idea that mental health care is as vital as physical health care. Whatever your reasons for being hesitant towards therapy, it’s normal to feel this way. Most therapists offer consultation appointments that creates an opportunity for you (as the consumer of therapy) to interview the therapist and determine if they are the right fit for you.
This post was written by Dr. Barek Sharif, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and founder of Thrival Therapy. Dr. Barek Sharif specializes in working with men’s and couple’s issues.
