Why is therapy bad?

Therapy can be a useful tool in helping people process different issues or concerns. It can make a person feel less alone, more supported, and teach coping skills so that people can learn how to live a more fulfilling life. However, therapy, just like most things in this world, is not an absolute truth or a solution to all things. Still more, not all therapists are suited for every client.

Firstly, there are times when a specific kind of therapy is not appropriate or the best fit for a person, if at all.  If a person is currently struggling with issues associated with intense mental health crises (i.e. active psychosis, frequent suicidal thoughts or attempts, disturbing and violent intrusive thoughts, etc.), then services more focused on crisis intervention to immediately address these issues would be more appropriate than therapy services. If you have been experiencing any suicidal thoughts, reach out for help immediately. You can reach the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

 Therapy is a more appropriate fit for people who are looking to resolve issues from a long-term perspective and not for immediate stabilization of the symptoms listed above. Granted, while engaging in crisis services (for example those that may occur in the mental health ward of a hospital), one might attend group therapy sessions or have a therapist assigned to them. But, therapies such as those offered through the BetterHelp platform, are not an appropriate substitute for crisis management services. Along the same lines, therapy is not a “one size fits all” kind of experience. There are so many different approaches, skill sets, and methods that therapists use when engaging clients in the therapeutic process. Not all of these methods will be best suited for every type of client.

Secondly, not all therapists are going to be a “good fit.” A client might not feel comfortable with a therapist. This could be due to a lack of “therapeutic chemistry,” the therapist not having a firm understanding of the client’s experience or background, that the therapist does not specialize in what the client needs help with, or, even, that the therapist has made the client feel unsafe in some way (whether by accident or otherwise). If this is something that someone fears in starting services or seeking a therapist, a good reminder is that all clients have rights. Among those rights is the right to choose a healthcare provider. This means that a client can change or cancel their services with a therapist at any time for any reason.

The last thing that is oftentimes a downside to seeking therapy is that discussing one’s issues can unearth different feelings and emotions. This can be overwhelming and, for some, too much to handle. It might cause a client to conclude that therapy is “bad” because it made them feel bad. Not everyone is ready or prepared to face the things that come up during therapy. That is perfectly fine! Everyone heals at their own pace! It is also important to remember that, with the help of a therapist who cultivates feelings of safety and has the appropriate training to address one’s specific issues, it is possible to experience these intense feelings while also learning how to better handle them and process them.