Myths and Misconceptions about Therapy

There are a lot of misguided notions about what happens in therapy and how a therapist can help you. Sometimes we get these ideas from popular television shows (remember Fraser!) or movies. Unfortunately, these ideas are often incorrect and can even prevent people from getting help. 

We’ve listed 10 of the most common myths about therapy.

Myth 1: A therapist won’t understand me.

Maybe. A therapist will ask you a series of questions to help understand you and your wellness needs. If they think you have needs beyond their scope, they’ll probably refer you to someone who is a better fit. You can speed up this process by being open and honest. But not all therapists understand farming! At AgKnow, we’ve identified therapists who already have farm clients or farming backgrounds so that you find a therapist who understands what it means to be a farmer. 

Myth 2: Going to therapy is a sign of weakness.

Not true. Life exposes us to many things we didn’t expect to deal with. We can either do nothing about it and suffer in silence or take action. If you seek treatment, you’re being resourceful and taking control of your well-being. And we know there’s still a stigma about using mental health in the ag community. But you know what? The average farmer struggles with the same issues. We all struggle with self-esteem, stress, anxiety, life transitions, depression, and relationships. 

Myth 3: Going to therapy won’t solve my issues or save my business.

Not true. While going to therapy won’t make it rain to feed your crops or fix your broken equipment, it can help you improve your relationship with your family or partner. It can also help you find better ways of coping with stress. Finally, it can help you get a good night’s sleep so you’re less prone to risks and injuries. Just like your truck needs oil every once in a while to run smoothly, you need to work on your mental health so your business runs smoothly. Think of therapy like that oil – things sure run better with it.    

Myth 4: My problems aren’t serious enough for therapy.

Not true. Some of the most common reasons for seeking therapy are self-esteem issues, work/life stress, transitions in life, relationship problems, depression, and anxiety. You don’t have to have experienced a traumatic event to use therapy. Not all topics are heavy, either. Sometimes we use a therapist on an as-needed basis. It’s nice to have dedicated time to discuss our issues confidentially with an objective, outside person.     

Myth 5: Therapy takes too long.

Not true. Therapy can last for as long as you need it to. Television shows can give us the impression that a character can be “fixed” in the length of an episode or that psychotherapy is this ongoing process. The average therapy session is about 50-60 minutes, and the first session is an intake and “getting-to-know-you” session. You start getting into issues by the second meeting, though. Therapy is considered a short-term treatment, with the average treatment course lasting about three to four months as needed. 

Myth 6: Therapy costs too much. 

Maybe. Through AgKnow, you and your family members can receive two free counselling sessions. Many therapists use a sliding scale or offer plans to make their services more affordable. With most therapists providing to take the sessions virtually or by telephone, these sessions are much more accessible and private and save you time from driving into the city.

Myth 7: I can get the same advice from a friend.

Probably not. While peer support is critical, a therapeutic relationship will look very different from the one you have with friends and family. Sure, you’ll discuss issues as you might with a friend, but YOU remain the primary focus. The therapist isn’t going to tell you about his problems or what worked for his Uncle Bob, so that’s what you should try too. Their goal isn’t to tell you what to do but to help you develop tools to use in your everyday life. They’re trained to listen and to pick up on patterns. They’ll support you in making healthy changes using science-based methods. And because they’re not connected to your life, you can express yourself freely and be heard without judgment.  

Myth 8: Therapy doesn’t work. 

Not true. According to the American Psychological Association, therapy has also been shown to help approximately three-quarters of the people who try it. What’s more, they note that about 80% of people who tried some therapy feel better after therapy ends than people who never attended therapy.

Myth 9: Therapists analyze you from behind a desk while you lie on a couch. 

This is rarely the case. Instead, trained therapists will create a space that is comfortable for the client. A typical therapeutic setting might look a lot like your living room, where both people sit in comfortable chairs and talk. Many therapists will even ask what set-up is most comfortable for you, and they won’t take notes until after the session to give you their undivided attention. 

Myth 10: All therapy is the same.

Not true. There are many different types of therapy, and sometimes it takes time to find the one that works best for you.

Myth 11: Going to therapy will hurt my chances of getting insurance or being approved for a loan. 

Not true. Large companies like Farm Credit Canada not only recognize that farming is a demanding career with its own unique stressors, but they actively advise farmers to learn ways of managing their mental health, which includes using therapy. In fact, one of the therapists profiled on our AgKnow website, Laura Friesen, is advertised in FCC’s recent publication!    

Next steps

There will also be myths and misconceptions floating around about therapy. Unfortunately, these myths prevent people from getting the support they need to live happy and productive lives.

In reality, therapy is a common tool used by many people, whether they’re experiencing anxiety, wanting to strengthen their marriage, or wanting to feel excited and hopeful about farming again. 

Remember, deciding to work with a therapist isn’t just an investment in your mental health – it will benefit your health as a whole. 

For help finding a therapist who understands farming, you can start here with these simple tools.

Article by Dr Rebecca Purc-Stephenson

Applied Social Psychologist and Professor in the Department of Social Sciences

BOOKING AN AGKNOW SESSION

CHOOSE A THERAPIST

The members in our referral network have experience with farmers and the agriculture industry in Alberta. We know context is important so you can spend less time getting them up to speed and more time getting to the root of the issue.

SCHEDULE A CALL

You have direct access to everyone in our referral network, so once you find a therapist you resonate with, fill out their form and book your first session.

TALK ABOUT IT

Whether in person, virtual or through a telephone session now is your chance to talk about how you are really doing. Remember - we were never meant to do this alone.