If therapy seems mysterious, intimidating, or just plain confusing, you’re not alone. Many of us grew up with stories—spoken or unspoken—about what therapy is (and isn’t). Some say it’s only for “broken people.” Others picture a silent stranger scribbling notes behind glasses.
Spoiler alert: both are false.
Let’s bust some of the biggest therapy myths and show you what mental health treatment at Vivus Counseling is really about.
Myth #1: “Therapy Is Just Talking About Your Feelings”
Sure, feelings come up. But therapy is about what you do with those feelings. It’s where you make sense of your thoughts, build emotional regulation tools, practice communication, and explore new ways of responding to life’s stressors. It’s active, collaborative, and designed to help you make sustainable changes—not just vent.
Myth #2: “Only People With Serious Mental Illness Need Therapy”
This one keeps way too many people from getting help. The truth? Therapy is for anyone navigating stress, relationships, self-doubt, burnout, grief, identity shifts, or personal growth. If you’re human—you qualify.
Myth #3: “The Therapist Will Judge Me or Tell Me What to Do”
Therapists aren’t here to criticize or control. We’re here to hold space for your story with curiosity, not condemnation. Our goal isn’t to fix you—it’s to walk with you as you understand yourself better and make your own informed choices.
Myth #4: “I’ll Be in Therapy Forever”
This is just simply not true. Therapy is flexible. Some people come in for a few months during a transition. Others stay longer because they find it meaningful. Either way, the timeline is yours to shape.
Therapy isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about having a space where you can ask the real questions. And when you’re met with compassion instead of judgment—that’s when the transformation begins.