There are many reasons for which one might think that a visit to a psychologist is unnecessary or even a bad idea.
Such reasons are usually underlined by misinformation or distorted perceptions.
Below you will find some information which may change your mind.
Crazy people need a therapist!
Anyone can visit a psychologist to discuss a problem or a situation which is difficult to manage, without this meaning that such a person is not ‘normal’. A person deciding to take action to improve his/her life is not problematic but rather admirable. Taking responsibility of one’s life is a sign of maturity and it is the first- and necessary- step for solving any kind of problem.
I have friends to talk to! - I don’t need to open up to a stranger!
Friends and family members are undeniably the first people we turn to in order to find support and get ‘advice’ for our daily issues. Nevertheless, we may often find that our friends are not in a position to fully understand our problems and may not be able to ‘step in our shoes’. They may often underestimate our concerns, using phrases such as ‘It’s nothing’, ‘You are overreacting’, ‘It will pass’, ‘Just leave the house’, ‘Get over it’ etc. In addition, we may often hide our true feelings and thoughts even from our closest people, in fear that they may judge or misunderstand us. For all these reasons it is important to talk to a psychologist who is able, using his knowledge and experience, to help us substantially and in the long term.
A psychologist will talk about me elsewhere!
All discussions between psychologist and client are absolutely confidential and protected by the Psychologists’ Code of Ethics. A psychologist must safeguard the confidentiality of his/her sessions at any cost and is obliged to carry out his professions with outmost respect and the highest sense of responsibility. Therefore, should we choose a professional psychologist, we should feel trust and safety and always remember that his only goal is to help us and never to harm us in any way.
I can solve my own problems- I don’t need a psychologist to tell me what to do!
Reaching out to a psychologist is anything but a sign of weakness. A great deal of strength is required for a person to decide to explore his/herself, to overcome painful experiences and to make changes which will better his/her life. We are all definitely capable to deal with many of our issues but through therapy we may discover new and more efficient ways. A psychologist will not dictate how we should feel or act. The relationship between a psychologist and his/her client is not one of dependency, nor one between a tutor and a student. A psychologist uses scientifically proven techniques to help us find on our own the answers we are looking for and to understand who we should lead our lives to make them better.
Θα πρέπει να μιλήσω για δυσάρεστα πράγματα και η ψυχολογία μου θα γίνει χειρότερη
Το να αναλύσει κάποιος τις εμπειρίες του από το παρελθόν ή τις δυσλειτουργικές συμπεριφορές του μπορεί ενίοτε να είναι μία δύσκολη διαδικασία. Όμως είναι σημαντικό να θυμάται κανείς ότι κάνοντας ένα ταξίδι στο παρελθόν, ακόμα και στο παρόν, με μια ‘φρέσκια’ ματιά και μέσα από την ασφαλή καθοδήγηση ενός έμπειρου επαγγελματία, το άτομο αποκομίζει πολύτιμα συμπεράσματα που το βοηθούν να αναθεωρήσει και να αλλάξει τις σκέψεις του με αποτέλεσμα να ανακουφιστεί και να βρει λύσεις που άλλοτε θεωρούσε αδύνατες. Σε κάθε περίπτωση, η θεραπευτική διαδικασία είναι μοναδική για κάθε πελάτη και ακολουθεί τον ρυθμό που ο ίδιος ο πελάτης επιλέγει ώστε να νιώθει άνετα και να μπορεί να ανταποκριθεί κατ’ ωφέλιμο τρόπο.
Therapy takes too long and I need immediate solutions!
The duration of therapy depends on many factors such as the kind of therapy applied by each psychologist. Some approaches are based on the in-depth exploration of the past (psychoanalytic therapy), whereas others focus more on ‘here and now’ and are designed to be shorter in length (for example Cognitive Behavior Therapy). It is up to each client to choose the approach most suitable to his/her needs but in any case, a psychologist will make every effort to help his/her client as much as possible at the time available.
Therapy is expensive and not a priority during this economic crisis!
What is really the appropriate cost for finding ourselves and solve problems which may taunt us? The cost of therapy in our country is fairly reasonable. May psychologists offer flexible rates according to the financial situation of the client and the duration of therapy. It is therefore important to discuss this issue with our therapist without shame because the very core of the client-therapist relationship lies in the development of trust and honestly on every matter. Surely, the economic crisis we are all experiencing requires the imposition of priorities and thus we must decide whether our psychological well-being and happiness is in fact a priority.