Does Psychotherapy or Counseling Have a Stigma?

After a couple of sessions, I often hear clients say that they are surprised that psychotherapy/counseling is a very positive and empowering experience. They often comment that they wished they had pursued it earlier. I then follow by asking why they did not do so earlier. Some say that they were concerned about "losing face" or "being judged by others." Clients often state that they had a misperception that psychotherapy was only talking about one's childhood or relationship to one's parents and were not aware of how many tools they could learn for managing their lives more effectively.

Psychotherapy/Counseling is not just about getting over negative experiences, but with new life skills learned and practiced, clients often feel empowered to set new goals and pursue their dreams. Clients in psychotherapy and counseling will often comment that they feel more in control of their emotions, behaviors, and circumstances as a result of therapy, and wished that they had pursed it sooner rather than having been swayed by inaccurate societal beliefs about counseling.

Clients have initially stated they thought psychotherapy/counseling was for those who are weak and unable to solve their own problems. Contrarily, I find my clients generally to be very resilient people, sincere, and who want to work hard to improve their lives. Those who have experienced trauma, loss, or other life challenges are often stronger people than those who have never experienced these things. These inner strengths can be used to overcome the past, and can be redirected to create a positive new beginning in life.

Some come to therapy not just to get rid of the negative in their lives but also to create the positive. Some clients come in saying they have "good lives" but want to take their lives from "good to great." There are many tools and skills that can be discussed in therapy to help people to take the next steps in pursuing new goals for their careers, relationships, health, education, and general well-being.

In conclusion, most people find psychotherapy and counseling personally empowering and find old societal beliefs about any stigma attached to it outdated and limiting.