Mental health awareness is on the rise in India, especially after the lockdown. Nowadays, there is a growing acknowledgement of the importance of seeking therapy to maintain emotional well-being. However, there are still a lot of myths around mental health and therapy. One of the most common myths is that one should consider therapy as the last option after they have tried everything else to solve their issues. In this article, we will explore why therapy should not be viewed as the last resort but rather as a proactive and empowering step towards self-discovery and well-being.
Here are some reasons why therapy shouldn’t be considered the last resort:
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Pre-Appointment Basis:
Most therapists work on a pre-appointment basis. So there are chances that they may not be available to provide therapy sessions immediately. Hence, if you are in dire need of an appointment with a therapist, it is essential to book it well in advance so that you are not left without help when needed the most.
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Long-term commitment-
Effective therapy requires a strong relationship between the client and the therapist; building a strong rapport takes time. Thus, therapy is a process that requires a serious, long-term commitment on the client’s part for betterment. Hence, you should not approach therapy as a last resort, as it may take time for you to get the best results out of the process.
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Therapist-
It is important to note that therapists usually take time to fully understand your concerns, develop a therapeutic alliance with you, and help you establish trust in them. All these things are important for an efficient therapy process. The first session in therapy is usually focused on understanding the client’s story and struggles. Thus, it is important to understand that therapy might not work like a magical cure right after the first session
Thus, one must approach therapy keeping in mind that both you and your therapist will need to form a strong rapport and trust so that you can make the most out of your therapy sessions
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Solutions Are Unique And Customized
Counselling is not a process whereby the therapist provides clients with general or ready-made solutions. Rather, therapists treat every client in a unique way, thus every client needs a unique plan of action based on their life situations. Most therapists will take initial sessions to understand the client’s issues before concluding the treatment plan. Thus, therapy requires patience from both the client and therapist and it may not be effective if it is considered only as a last resort
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The Mental State of Clients:
Sometimes in dire situations, the client’s emotions are very high, and they may not be in a state to be in a position to talk about their situation in a detailed manner. In such cases, it will be difficult for the counsellor to understand the client’s situation or to come up with any coping strategies for them.
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Emergencies-
Lastly, since counsellors work on a pre-appointment basis, in case of emergencies, you should visit a psychiatrist or the nearest emergency services to get immediate and instant help. A counsellor can always help you additionally.
Conclusion:
In summary, we need to understand that therapy works best as a preventive mechanism rather than the last resort. Approaching therapy as a preventive measure can give both the client and the counsellor enough time to build rapport and work with the client’s challenges. This way the client can get the most out of the process. So the next time, you think about therapy, think of it as preventive care, rather than a last resort.
Sources-
- https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/why-shouldn-apos-t-view-233321774.html
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Blackburn, C. (2020, May 14). Why We Shouldn’t View Therapy as a “Last Resort.” The Mighty. https://themighty.com/topic/mental-health/therapy-not-last-resort/
