It’s not a scam, and while in theory not everyone needs it and certainly doesn’t always need it - I do think everyone should give it a try to see if it’s for them / at the very least bounce off things they’ve never told anyone to someone out loud.
I think most, if not all, people would be great spending 6 months unpacking things in therapy - then if it isn’t for them, at least loop back once a year for a “mental pyshical” of sorts.
But in terms of specific needs, as long as you know what you want to get out of it + have a plan and intent on progress it can be very rewarding; but just spinning the wheels, going over the same stuff may need to stop. Its usually not for an indefinite thing, or at least changing therapists / subject matter when tapped out
It's not a scam but it's definitely a process and something that you generally get what you put into it. It will be up and down especially in the beginning while you try to find a therapist that works well with you and because you will probably be talking about topics you normally don't like thinking about. But if nothing else if it doesn't cure you (which it probably won't) it will help you focus on what triggers you have. Give you exercises or practice to notice when you get into a bad head space and either avoid it or mitigate it. It took me a long time to accept needing it and i went from going bi weekly to eventually just have once a month check ups on mental health.
It's not a scam, but it might take a lot of up-front investment. As you've noted, it costs money, but also not all therapists are created equal. You need to find someone that you can have a relationship of mutual respect with; whom that is varies depending on the person seeking therapy.
And as some have noted: not all problems can be solved by analyzing them/talking them out. Sometimes you know the solution already, you just need to do it—on the other hand, if the only solution you see is self-destructive, a therapist might help you see others.
It’s not a scam but it does take research to find the right fit, it also takes a lot of work and effort to use anything you learn in therapy and actually apply it IRL.
Also finding the right type of therapy is important. Talk therapy isn’t as effective as somatic therapy for some, others do better with Informational Family Systems others with EMDR.
It can be overwhelming but it is also easier if you have a clear objective in mind.
Not a scam, but some therapists are much better than others. I find that when I think of a therapist as a coach I get more out of it. A coach that will listen to what is going on and then give you better ways to deal with it. Just going doesn’t really do much, doing what the therapist says, consistently, so that you can change you default behavioral patterns is the key.
Edit: for clarity.
I don’t believe it’s a scam but I do think there are a lot of scammy practices. Notice how these therapists don’t want to help somebody with schizophrenia, they’d rather talk to the girl with some social anxiety
Therapy isn't a scam, but there are two factors that dictate how effective it is going to be: your willingness to change and grow (which includes discomfort) and the quality of the therapist. One of the most frustrating things is that there is no timetable that applies because the human mind is inconceivably complicated and psychology/psychiatry/neurology hasn't established clear pathologies for many mental afflictions. Rather there is an ever-evolving growing body of correlations and clinical data that adapts modalities of treatment over time. In my layperson's opinion there is a lot of qualitative work that is difficult to measure directly but a trend in increasing emotional and social stability are hallmarks of effective therapy. For my own part, perspective is invaluable and having a trusted advisor with no dogs in the race that I am accountable to can mean the difference between personal growth and decline. But make no mistake, you have to want to grow, and that isn't always comfortable.
I dont believe its a scam, But I do believe therapy isnt for everyone. Ive gone to atleast 30 different therapist and it didnt help anything. What really helped me was going to the gym consistently 6 times a week
I think its cause the gym is a really good place to socialize and gain confidence overtime. Seeing my body gain more muscle mass and an increase in endurance makes me really happy; Maybe cause im focusing on my health. Tbh though I really dont know why I’ve benefited alot from going but im glad im in a better place mentally
I’ll give you two perspectives. I started therapy about 15 years ago because I was depressed. I did sessions for a few years, stopped.
Fast forward to pandemic, I started therapy again and I’ve gone no more than a month without a session since. Even when I feel like I don’t have anything to talk about, there’s always something.
The other side of it: I actually work with practice owners on the business side. It’s actually really hard to do that job because people are constantly coming to you for help when you don’t know all the story.
I think everyone should do therapy, and we should call it something cooler like psychoanalysis.
Haha. There exists so many therapies. And to ask if they're a scam is just a fishing for comments tread. Of course therapies help. But but does one type help everyone? No. Is there one for everyone? Indubitably. It's case by case.
What's important is having a focus on making life better. It's not that therapy is a scam or necessarily a waste, it's that for most people focusing on talking and emotions is a waste once you've found a way to start to pull apart your problems.
The issue is talking too much really is spinning your wheels. That's one of the reasons CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) is so well thought of (at least last I checked) is because it focuses on actual solutions.
I remember when I was working at a homeless shelter, one of the guys got in trouble over something and I said basically, "it's okay I trust you" and later on months later he said it blew his mind and basically helped to clear out some of the mental trash that kept him in the homeless state of mind. That guy got off the streets, and last I saw him he was doing well. That's an example of the therapy method working.
It depends a lot on what your hangups are. Some problems are solved by words, most are by actions. One of the major issues these days is the sheer amount of toxins that are put in our bodies, the way we destroy our health, and how inactive most people are. That's one of the big reasons therapy isn't as good as it could be, because the low hanging fruit for most people is to clean out your body, get active, and eat right. In addition, these three issues that I mentioned impair your brain from working correctly which hampers therapy's effectiveness because they basically damper down and depress *all* of your mental activity. That's why so many people (myself included) say diet, exercise, and the actual situation of your life are more important.
Definitely not a scam but you're in for an expensive lesson if you think the therapist will solve your problems for you. They're just there to help you work through them - the reference of them as a coach is excellent, because a track coach won't run your race for you or carry you in a bucket through it, but they'll give you whatever you need to do it.
Also it's important that they're a good fit for you and that you feel comfortable with them. Teamwork is hard when you dislike each other.
It's really about finding the right fit for you. I'm sure therapy saved my life in more ways than one. I went through a couple before I found the right person for me for talk therapy through betterhelp. I also did somatic body therapy which was truly amazing for me, but may not be for everyone. You'll know when it feels right. Also, it doesn't have to be for long term. You may need to spend the money to get you through a tough time and learn some strategies that you can call on again when needed. A good therapist wants you to graduate from them, so if you get the vibe that they are trying to get more from you, move on from them.
Therapy only works if you're willing to do the work and take the necessary steps to change and be better. It doesn't solve any issues in a sense that it's not magic. It's not going to just turn you into a better person just by going to some therapy sessions.
Look at it like Education. You assume a lot of the responsibility as a student. They can't MAKE you learn. You must cooperate, and put in the work if you wish to get anything out of it.
Therapy is like that. And, like there are bad teachers, there are bad therapists. Though more often it's just a mismatch and they might be an excellent therapist for someone else with a different history & set of troubles.
But, no, it's not a scam. Other than the prices, but that's because in any civilized society it's considered healthcare and heavily subsidized. Just not in the U.S.
*"What I've hear about therapy not actually solving any issues."*
Therapy isn't meant to solve your problems for you. That's your responsibility. Therapy is intended to help a person make connections about their life, that they're struggling to make on their own. A therapist is a professional guide that shows you the mirror, and you either look into that mirror to see what can be improved, or you don't.
A therapist can also be seen as a *"professional friend"* who is trained to understand emotions/behaviors, is neutral, and will never judge you. Your closest friends and family cannot guide you in the same way due to their personal biases or history with you, and because internet strangers aren't being paid to care, they'll invest a limited amount.
The reason therapy doesn't always work is because of the resistance a person's ego/identity/mind has towards change, vulnerability, and the unknown aspects of themselves. If you are not the type who can face their inner world of emotions (good and bad), insecurity, or personal challenge, then the odds are that therapy won't *"work"* for you. It requires a lot of trust in the exploration process, a curiosity in understanding oneself, and a willingness to become a part of the process. However, therapists exist for reasons beyond pharmacology, and myself and many others that I know have benefitted greatly from therapy. The distinction is that my therapist did not fix me – he did exactly what he was supposed to do. He helped guide me through things I couldn't always see myself, and I still had to put in work to change. Looking back, I wish I had a therapist 15 years ago.
It's not a scam. But it's also not a service where you go in, lay there, and the therapist does all the work then you're good to go. Therapy doesn't "solve any issues". You have to solve the issues. Therapists are basically people who give you professional psychological feedback. What you do with that is on you. A lot of people do nothing with it, then tell you that "therapy doesn't work, it's a scam".
There are many reasons why therapy might not work such as not being honest and open. Some people aren't even able to be honest with themselves, let alone a therapist or anyone else. Another is not putting any effort in other than laying there and talking mindlessly for the session. Therapy is what you do \*after\* the session, how you change how you interact with and see the world. It's not easy, and if it is, you're probably not going to get a lot out of it. It's like a gym for your psyche. There are people who go to the gym and sit on the equipment and play on their phones, or they do a really minimal workout. They get out of it what they put into it. Then they're likely disappointed it "didn't work", but the reality is the gym is working fine, they are the ones who "didn't work".
No. But it is a service. The thing that sucks is that you need to be fully invested, set goals for yourself and be accountable.
Imagine if you just took your car to the mechanic every week for an hour of service and all you can tell them is "I'm not happy with my car". What would you expect to get in return?
Now imagine you just love cars and come up with a plan to build the most badass car ever, one hour a week at a time. You think about what you want to accomplish over the next two years one week at a time.
Completely different attitude and mindset even though it could be the same mechanic. It is such a different you might think the first scenario you are getting scammed.
A therapist can give you tools, but like a mechanic, don't expect much just piling them up in the garage. You need to imagine what a better you looks like and how exactly that is different from where you are now. Then you got to work it, and as you try and have mixed success, which you will, a therapist can help you reflect on next steps and how to make incremental progress.
I'll also say that going from being unaware to what is holding you back to becoming fully aware of what is holding you back will feel like torture. There is a degree to which it will feel like hell. But as you learn to navigate your life and weather the storms, you basically become a badass pirate captain proud of their scars rather than a scared stowaway, a passenger in their own out of control life.
it depends... this is all my experience. the free ones can suck, do not be afraid to get a new therapist if you're going through some free service.
Find somebody who takes their time to get to know you is my biggest tip. find somebody who has a balance of validating what you're doing right, and your feelings, but can also call you out from time to time if you're doing something BS. if you want to become better, you need to stop doing whats hurting you or others.
Also, find somebody who isn't just validating but who will give you the tools to be able to help yourself. you don't want to go to therapy every day for the rest of your life. you may need it more in the beginning, maybe you start out slow and go more later, whatever works for you. Personally, I would go once a month to let the realizations set in from what my therapist told me because I also needed time to practice using the tools that they gave me. i have since tapered off, now its a couple times a year just to keep myself straight.
Also a bit of a warning: Therapy can make you think there's a billion things wrong with you and its everybody fault. at one point or another, it really might have been but you are now responsible for you. try to remember that without resentment. everything at the end of the day comes down to habits. you had to live a certain way or cope with something so you developed some sort of tendency to counteract it the best you knew how. it formed a habit which is now a part of your personality. the solution is to develop a new habit, nothing more, nothing less. also, when you start to see progress via a new habit, when you do that new way of handling something better for the first time and the result changes or becomes better, it makes you want to do it more so its so much easier to break habits than you think.
It’s not a scam, and while in theory not everyone needs it and certainly doesn’t always need it - I do think everyone should give it a try to see if it’s for them / at the very least bounce off things they’ve never told anyone to someone out loud. I think most, if not all, people would be great spending 6 months unpacking things in therapy - then if it isn’t for them, at least loop back once a year for a “mental pyshical” of sorts. But in terms of specific needs, as long as you know what you want to get out of it + have a plan and intent on progress it can be very rewarding; but just spinning the wheels, going over the same stuff may need to stop. Its usually not for an indefinite thing, or at least changing therapists / subject matter when tapped out
It's not a scam but it's definitely a process and something that you generally get what you put into it. It will be up and down especially in the beginning while you try to find a therapist that works well with you and because you will probably be talking about topics you normally don't like thinking about. But if nothing else if it doesn't cure you (which it probably won't) it will help you focus on what triggers you have. Give you exercises or practice to notice when you get into a bad head space and either avoid it or mitigate it. It took me a long time to accept needing it and i went from going bi weekly to eventually just have once a month check ups on mental health.
It's not a scam, but it might take a lot of up-front investment. As you've noted, it costs money, but also not all therapists are created equal. You need to find someone that you can have a relationship of mutual respect with; whom that is varies depending on the person seeking therapy. And as some have noted: not all problems can be solved by analyzing them/talking them out. Sometimes you know the solution already, you just need to do it—on the other hand, if the only solution you see is self-destructive, a therapist might help you see others.
It’s not a scam but it does take research to find the right fit, it also takes a lot of work and effort to use anything you learn in therapy and actually apply it IRL. Also finding the right type of therapy is important. Talk therapy isn’t as effective as somatic therapy for some, others do better with Informational Family Systems others with EMDR. It can be overwhelming but it is also easier if you have a clear objective in mind.
Not a scam, but some therapists are much better than others. I find that when I think of a therapist as a coach I get more out of it. A coach that will listen to what is going on and then give you better ways to deal with it. Just going doesn’t really do much, doing what the therapist says, consistently, so that you can change you default behavioral patterns is the key. Edit: for clarity.
I don’t believe it’s a scam but I do think there are a lot of scammy practices. Notice how these therapists don’t want to help somebody with schizophrenia, they’d rather talk to the girl with some social anxiety
Therapy isn't a scam, but there are two factors that dictate how effective it is going to be: your willingness to change and grow (which includes discomfort) and the quality of the therapist. One of the most frustrating things is that there is no timetable that applies because the human mind is inconceivably complicated and psychology/psychiatry/neurology hasn't established clear pathologies for many mental afflictions. Rather there is an ever-evolving growing body of correlations and clinical data that adapts modalities of treatment over time. In my layperson's opinion there is a lot of qualitative work that is difficult to measure directly but a trend in increasing emotional and social stability are hallmarks of effective therapy. For my own part, perspective is invaluable and having a trusted advisor with no dogs in the race that I am accountable to can mean the difference between personal growth and decline. But make no mistake, you have to want to grow, and that isn't always comfortable.
I dont believe its a scam, But I do believe therapy isnt for everyone. Ive gone to atleast 30 different therapist and it didnt help anything. What really helped me was going to the gym consistently 6 times a week
Why doesn’t gym help but therapy doesn’t, for you?
I think its cause the gym is a really good place to socialize and gain confidence overtime. Seeing my body gain more muscle mass and an increase in endurance makes me really happy; Maybe cause im focusing on my health. Tbh though I really dont know why I’ve benefited alot from going but im glad im in a better place mentally
I’ll give you two perspectives. I started therapy about 15 years ago because I was depressed. I did sessions for a few years, stopped. Fast forward to pandemic, I started therapy again and I’ve gone no more than a month without a session since. Even when I feel like I don’t have anything to talk about, there’s always something. The other side of it: I actually work with practice owners on the business side. It’s actually really hard to do that job because people are constantly coming to you for help when you don’t know all the story. I think everyone should do therapy, and we should call it something cooler like psychoanalysis.
No. It’s the best money I spend each week. But you really need to find a therapist that fits you, it makes a big difference
It's certainly an industry like everything else these days.
Haha. There exists so many therapies. And to ask if they're a scam is just a fishing for comments tread. Of course therapies help. But but does one type help everyone? No. Is there one for everyone? Indubitably. It's case by case.
What's important is having a focus on making life better. It's not that therapy is a scam or necessarily a waste, it's that for most people focusing on talking and emotions is a waste once you've found a way to start to pull apart your problems. The issue is talking too much really is spinning your wheels. That's one of the reasons CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) is so well thought of (at least last I checked) is because it focuses on actual solutions. I remember when I was working at a homeless shelter, one of the guys got in trouble over something and I said basically, "it's okay I trust you" and later on months later he said it blew his mind and basically helped to clear out some of the mental trash that kept him in the homeless state of mind. That guy got off the streets, and last I saw him he was doing well. That's an example of the therapy method working. It depends a lot on what your hangups are. Some problems are solved by words, most are by actions. One of the major issues these days is the sheer amount of toxins that are put in our bodies, the way we destroy our health, and how inactive most people are. That's one of the big reasons therapy isn't as good as it could be, because the low hanging fruit for most people is to clean out your body, get active, and eat right. In addition, these three issues that I mentioned impair your brain from working correctly which hampers therapy's effectiveness because they basically damper down and depress *all* of your mental activity. That's why so many people (myself included) say diet, exercise, and the actual situation of your life are more important.
It's not a scam. It is however hard work and takes time and dedication
Definitely not a scam but you're in for an expensive lesson if you think the therapist will solve your problems for you. They're just there to help you work through them - the reference of them as a coach is excellent, because a track coach won't run your race for you or carry you in a bucket through it, but they'll give you whatever you need to do it. Also it's important that they're a good fit for you and that you feel comfortable with them. Teamwork is hard when you dislike each other.
It's really about finding the right fit for you. I'm sure therapy saved my life in more ways than one. I went through a couple before I found the right person for me for talk therapy through betterhelp. I also did somatic body therapy which was truly amazing for me, but may not be for everyone. You'll know when it feels right. Also, it doesn't have to be for long term. You may need to spend the money to get you through a tough time and learn some strategies that you can call on again when needed. A good therapist wants you to graduate from them, so if you get the vibe that they are trying to get more from you, move on from them.
Therapy only works if you're willing to do the work and take the necessary steps to change and be better. It doesn't solve any issues in a sense that it's not magic. It's not going to just turn you into a better person just by going to some therapy sessions.
CBT, cognitive behavioral therapy, has a lengthy history of success, with peer-reviewed research to back it up.
Look at it like Education. You assume a lot of the responsibility as a student. They can't MAKE you learn. You must cooperate, and put in the work if you wish to get anything out of it. Therapy is like that. And, like there are bad teachers, there are bad therapists. Though more often it's just a mismatch and they might be an excellent therapist for someone else with a different history & set of troubles. But, no, it's not a scam. Other than the prices, but that's because in any civilized society it's considered healthcare and heavily subsidized. Just not in the U.S.
*"What I've hear about therapy not actually solving any issues."* Therapy isn't meant to solve your problems for you. That's your responsibility. Therapy is intended to help a person make connections about their life, that they're struggling to make on their own. A therapist is a professional guide that shows you the mirror, and you either look into that mirror to see what can be improved, or you don't. A therapist can also be seen as a *"professional friend"* who is trained to understand emotions/behaviors, is neutral, and will never judge you. Your closest friends and family cannot guide you in the same way due to their personal biases or history with you, and because internet strangers aren't being paid to care, they'll invest a limited amount. The reason therapy doesn't always work is because of the resistance a person's ego/identity/mind has towards change, vulnerability, and the unknown aspects of themselves. If you are not the type who can face their inner world of emotions (good and bad), insecurity, or personal challenge, then the odds are that therapy won't *"work"* for you. It requires a lot of trust in the exploration process, a curiosity in understanding oneself, and a willingness to become a part of the process. However, therapists exist for reasons beyond pharmacology, and myself and many others that I know have benefitted greatly from therapy. The distinction is that my therapist did not fix me – he did exactly what he was supposed to do. He helped guide me through things I couldn't always see myself, and I still had to put in work to change. Looking back, I wish I had a therapist 15 years ago.
It's not a scam. But it's also not a service where you go in, lay there, and the therapist does all the work then you're good to go. Therapy doesn't "solve any issues". You have to solve the issues. Therapists are basically people who give you professional psychological feedback. What you do with that is on you. A lot of people do nothing with it, then tell you that "therapy doesn't work, it's a scam". There are many reasons why therapy might not work such as not being honest and open. Some people aren't even able to be honest with themselves, let alone a therapist or anyone else. Another is not putting any effort in other than laying there and talking mindlessly for the session. Therapy is what you do \*after\* the session, how you change how you interact with and see the world. It's not easy, and if it is, you're probably not going to get a lot out of it. It's like a gym for your psyche. There are people who go to the gym and sit on the equipment and play on their phones, or they do a really minimal workout. They get out of it what they put into it. Then they're likely disappointed it "didn't work", but the reality is the gym is working fine, they are the ones who "didn't work".
No. But it is a service. The thing that sucks is that you need to be fully invested, set goals for yourself and be accountable. Imagine if you just took your car to the mechanic every week for an hour of service and all you can tell them is "I'm not happy with my car". What would you expect to get in return? Now imagine you just love cars and come up with a plan to build the most badass car ever, one hour a week at a time. You think about what you want to accomplish over the next two years one week at a time. Completely different attitude and mindset even though it could be the same mechanic. It is such a different you might think the first scenario you are getting scammed. A therapist can give you tools, but like a mechanic, don't expect much just piling them up in the garage. You need to imagine what a better you looks like and how exactly that is different from where you are now. Then you got to work it, and as you try and have mixed success, which you will, a therapist can help you reflect on next steps and how to make incremental progress. I'll also say that going from being unaware to what is holding you back to becoming fully aware of what is holding you back will feel like torture. There is a degree to which it will feel like hell. But as you learn to navigate your life and weather the storms, you basically become a badass pirate captain proud of their scars rather than a scared stowaway, a passenger in their own out of control life.
Unqualified fake therapists are like mushrooms. Some of your good friends/family end up becoming your unspoken therapists
it depends... this is all my experience. the free ones can suck, do not be afraid to get a new therapist if you're going through some free service. Find somebody who takes their time to get to know you is my biggest tip. find somebody who has a balance of validating what you're doing right, and your feelings, but can also call you out from time to time if you're doing something BS. if you want to become better, you need to stop doing whats hurting you or others. Also, find somebody who isn't just validating but who will give you the tools to be able to help yourself. you don't want to go to therapy every day for the rest of your life. you may need it more in the beginning, maybe you start out slow and go more later, whatever works for you. Personally, I would go once a month to let the realizations set in from what my therapist told me because I also needed time to practice using the tools that they gave me. i have since tapered off, now its a couple times a year just to keep myself straight. Also a bit of a warning: Therapy can make you think there's a billion things wrong with you and its everybody fault. at one point or another, it really might have been but you are now responsible for you. try to remember that without resentment. everything at the end of the day comes down to habits. you had to live a certain way or cope with something so you developed some sort of tendency to counteract it the best you knew how. it formed a habit which is now a part of your personality. the solution is to develop a new habit, nothing more, nothing less. also, when you start to see progress via a new habit, when you do that new way of handling something better for the first time and the result changes or becomes better, it makes you want to do it more so its so much easier to break habits than you think.
Obviously. It's like Dumbo's magic feather, a placebo for the easily manipulated.
Grab your nikes and go to run ...would help More