Don’t Psychoanalyze Me! Reducing The Stigma Of Psychotherapy and Mental Health

Without fail, when out at a party or social function, many people have fairly typical responses to learning that I am a psychologist. While a small minority might have an issue that they immediately want to share with me (which does not bother me because I love my work and am happy to help), many make comments such as, “Do you work with a lot of ‘crazies?’” or “Do you already have me figured out?” or “Are you ‘psychoanalyzing’ me right now?” These questions exemplify the misconceptions that most people have about psychotherapy and mental health issues, and it suggests that they may see therapy akin to surgery wherein the “patient” is a passive participant, having very little control, while the therapist leans forward and opens the “patient’s” head to extract their unconscious and fix their damaged minds. This sounds like a pretty scary procedure, and I would think that this grossly inaccurate image could be a reason to avoid therapy.

The reality is that psychologists are not trained to read or fix minds, but rather to listen actively, to pick up on patterns, and to connect and gently help guide individuals to relief and greater life satisfaction. Sure, there is a power dynamic at work because there is one individual who is seeking help and another who is trained to provide it. The goal for me as a therapist, and I’m certain this is true for many others in the counseling profession as well, is to intentionally foster collaboration and a sense of equality.  I strive to even out the power dynamic by providing validation, utilizing self-disclosure where appropriate and at times incorporating some humor. If I ever notice that I may be unconsciously wielding power unfairly, I would call attention to it, and I invite my clients to do the same.  The therapy relationship has to be a place where the client is free and feels safe to think, feel or express anything, even and especially corrective feedback for the therapist.

I’m not that distressed.  Do I really need therapy?

You don’t have to be experiencing a mental health condition to engage in therapy. Indeed, many people are involved in therapy for personal growth or as a means of self-care. Even for those who seek my help and struggle with a mental health issue, they frequently ask me whether their “case” is severe enough to warrant being in therapy. I have encountered several clients who did not want to be labeled with a diagnosis for fear of being judged as weak. The point is that anyone seeking self-improvement and growth can benefit from therapy.

The truth about mental disorders is that the difference between a mentally healthy person and a mentally ill person is a matter of degree.  Every human experiences at least a low level of anxiety under certain circumstances, and it would be helpful for people to accept that anxiety disorders are a variation on a reaction to a physical or psychological threat in our environments. Similarly, sadness is merely a signal to ourselves that we have lost something. According to the National Institute on Mental Health, about 18% of adults struggle with anxiety and 7% of adults over 18 years old experience a major depressive episode each year.

How can we reduce stigma about mental health issues?

Part of what perpetuates the stigma of mental health issues is the language that is commonly used. For individuals who have not been exposed to mental illness, it is not surprising to see why they might lump every disorder into the pejorative “crazy” or “nuts.” Even an individual who grieves a bit longer than what he or she is “supposed to” is pathologized. However, when I recognize that I may be pre-judging others based on a stereotype, I believe it is my duty as an empathic human to increase my knowledge and connect with such “others.”

Apart from increased intentionality around connecting empathically, we also can be honest about our own emotional struggles. The more people who share themselves authentically and are open and vulnerable, the more society as a whole can be more accepting of imperfection, and the faster we can reduce the stigma that mental health disorders carry. For example, by self-disclosing her own addiction, eating disorder and mental health difficulties, Glennon Doyle Melton incited an entire community of millions of women who are connecting with each other’s stories and collaborating to provide support to each other and their families. Courageous actors/celebrities such as Kristen Bell and Sarah Silverman have openly discussed their struggles. However, we can all encourage greater openness by beginning with openness about our own lives. You might ask yourself:

• When those closest to you ask how you are feeling, do you answer “fine” when you are really having some difficulty?
• How do you use social media?  Is social media a space for you to present your “ideal” self or your authentic self?
• How many spaces do you have in which you can be truly open and honest, and be accepted? How can you open up more opportunities to be your authentic self?
• How much are you accepting of your own difficult emotions? What is the quality of your own self-talk?

Only through recognizing the prevalence and normalcy of mental health problems can we begin to reduce the stigma around mental health treatment. Certain organizations, like The Mighty and NAMI, are making an effort toward reducing stigma, but it takes a collective effort to make such a change in consciousness. Please do what you can to reduce stigma in your life, which might start with noticing your own judgment about your own difficult emotions.  If you are struggling with the capacity to be open and accepting of yourself and your own difficulties, therapy is a space where you can experiment with new ways of being including practicing living more authentically and openly.

Thanks for reading!

If you are in the Nashville area and you would like to schedule an appointment for individual therapy, please do not hesitate to emailus at clientcare@nashvillepsych.com or call us at (615) 582-2882.

Take good care,

Dan