Beginning therapy can feel a little intimidating — from making that first phone call to sitting down with a complete stranger and talking about your inner world. Many people who could truly benefit from counseling avoid it altogether, often because they have inaccurate ideas about what therapy actually looks like.
Let’s bust a few of those myths and talk about what really goes on in the therapy room.
Myth: You’re going to lie on a couch and talk about your mom
Yes, therapy sometimes involves exploring early relationships and how they shape the way we relate to others now. Our childhood experiences — especially with caregivers — create the “blueprint” for how we show up in the world.
But don’t worry: no one is going to force you to lie dramatically on a couch and blame your mom for everything (unless you want to, in which case… we can unpack that together). And by the way, therapy can be extremely helpful even if you have a wonderful mom and a pretty decent childhood.
Myth: Counselors are there to give you advice
Many people are surprised (and a little disappointed) to discover that therapists aren’t there to hand out step-by-step instructions for life. This is partly because:
- We’re not all-knowing gurus — we don’t have a secret playbook for your life.
- Even if we did, our job isn’t to make decisions for you.
Therapy is about helping you become the expert on your own life. Counselors bring expertise in human behavior, relationships, and emotional health — but you bring the expertise on you. Together, we figure out how to help you make choices that align with your values and goals. Think of us less as advice-givers and more as curious teammates helping you access your own wisdom.
Myth: All you do is sit and talk
While talking is certainly part of therapy, the work often goes beyond conversation. In my sessions, we might practice coping skills in real time, develop action steps, or experiment with new ways of relating to yourself and others.
Therapy isn’t just about understanding why you feel or behave a certain way — it’s also about learning how to do things differently. That might mean being kinder to yourself, setting healthier boundaries, or changing long-standing habits. Therapy is less “chatting on a couch” and more building the life you want, one step at a time.
Myth: You can only go to counseling if something is “wrong”
Even in 2025, people still walk into counseling sheepishly saying, “I’m not sure I’m messed up enough to be here.” Here’s the truth: you don’t need to be in crisis to benefit from therapy.
Therapy is for anyone who wants to grow, heal, or simply get more intentional about how they’re living. Here are just a few reasons people seek counseling:
- Building self-worth and confidence
- Developing coping strategies for daily stressors
- Strengthening parenting skills
- Preventing burnout and improving self-care
- Exploring meaning and purpose
- Processing life transitions
- Improving communication and relationships
The Bottom Line: Therapy is for Humans (and You’re One of Those)
At the end of the day, therapy is simply a space for growth. It’s a collaborative, judgment-free zone where you can untangle the messy parts of life, experiment with new ways of being, and learn more about who you are and who you want to become.
So if you’ve been on the fence about counseling because you’re worried you’ll have to lie on a couch, talk endlessly about your mom, or hear a bunch of unsolicited advice — you can exhale. Therapy is much more down-to-earth (and more effective) than that.
Whether you’re navigating a major life change, trying to break old patterns, or just wanting to live a little more fully — therapy isn’t a last resort. It’s one of the best tools you can use to take care of yourself. If you think seeing a counselor might be helpful, please reach out and make an appointment! We are here to support you.
