12 Nov Time to address a troubling myth about therapy and self-help …
Today I’d like to talk a bit about one of the more troubling myths associated with therapy and self-help. And that is …
If you just do the right things, those supported by the evidence, with discipline and perseverance, you’ll “get better” and all will be OK.
On the surface, this is seemingly reasonable. But as many of us know, and as I know from the perspective of both a therapist and client, it doesn’t always work out like that!
In reality …
If you do the right things, it won’t always work, at least not quickly, and you won’t always be better, at least not completely.
I don’t write this to be negative, or to create pessimism; but more so, just to be realistic. At least, this is the reality for me, and I know it’s the reality for many others too.
Therapy can definitely be helpful, and self-improvement is definitely possible, but more often than not, it’s a messy process without any clear finish line!
This doesn’t mean we should give up. Not at all. But what it does mean is that for those of us trying to live with mental ill-health, or who feel lost in any way, it’s important to accept the trials and tribulations that will come, and to be kind and gentle with ourselves along the way.