Among a significant proportion of individuals who abstain from therapy, is the barrier regarding perceived efficacy. This was addressed in a recent article titled The Cult of Therapy, which referenced a recent Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) survey indicating that 29% of people allowed this to get in the way of getting the help they need:
But here’s the thing. Despite thinking that it won’t help, you came to Google or ChatGPT and typed/voiced “I don’t think therapy will help me”. By doing so, you exhibit hope to be proved otherwise. We’re happy that you did, and that you found us instead of some echo chamber of negative sentiment on Reddit. Below is a succinct overview of all that you need to know to get started on the rest of your journey towards greater wellness.
What to Consider When You Think That Therapy Won’t Help You (yet hope that it can)
Is Your Belief that “It Won’t Help” and Inaction an Avoidance Technique?
Before we look at data that may refute your concern, let’s first address what may really be going on. The expression “I don’t think therapy will help me” is a very common rationalization for people who exhibit avoidance behavior. Not believing something will work – something that is widely recognized as beneficial – can be an avoidance technique. Cognitive avoidance often stems from a fear of failure. This belief serves as a protective mechanism to prevent potential disappointment, stress, or anxiety associated with trying and not succeeding. In other words, recognizing that you feel bad now without therapy, you anticipate how much worse you will feel if you try therapy and it does not work. Sound about right?
There are a number of mental health issues that are associated with avoidance behavior. These include anxiety disorders, including social anxiety, post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and agoraphobia. Avoidance is also a symptom for people who struggle with depression. Avoidance behavior is additionally observed in individuals who have personality disorders such as avoidant personality disorder (APD) along with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD).
Bluntly stated, the very same mental health issue/s that you may struggle with could be the reason (or related to) your rationalized belief that therapy won’t help you. If you suspect that you have one of these issues, an assessment from Kindbridge will confirm or deny the reality. After this assessment, the path will be cleared to proceed with treatment that focuses on your goals. But if course, you need more than this for assurance that therapy will help. Please keep reading.
Have You Considered Virtual Therapy?
There may be other reasons you think that therapy won’t help that may be valid when it comes to traditional in-clinic treatment. These reasons (detailed below) can be overridden by virtual therapy.
Not Connecting with a Therapist
Many people worry therapy won’t help because they fear they won’t connect with their therapist, and this is a valid concern, as the therapist-client bond is crucial for progress. It can stem from past negative experiences, a perception of being judged, and clashing personalities. When the latter is an issue, a therapist can actually become a trigger to one’s negative feelings and emotions. This is all problematic in a local community where there are limited options, as one may not have the opportunity to find another therapist, or may feel awkward in seeking another if located in the same facility as their current clinician. This concern is negated through virtual therapy. Platforms such as Kindbridge offer you the opportunity to switch counselors at any time until you find the right fit for you.
Not Enough Time to Make it Work
It’s common for people to think therapy won’t help because they don’t have the time for all that’s involved with attending in-clinic sessions. They start thinking not just about having to attend a one-hour session, but the transportation time to/from their therapist’s office, dealing with reception staff, and all else involved in having to be at a physical office at a specific time of the day each week. Knowing that they cannot commit to those hours each week, they dismiss therapy as an option to attaining wellness. Once again one finds that virtual therapy cuts through the obstacle. With by-phone and online counseling on the Kindbridge platform, a one-hour session (for example) is a one-hour session. Further, scheduling is flexible to work around a convenient day and time of your choosing. This allows you to better engage with your therapist and experience positive outcomes. View more in the following article titled; I Don’t Have Time for Therapy.
What Treatment Outcomes Have to Say About It
If you are an analytical person and/or like data to help you make a more informed decision about something that feels uncertain, then you’ll appreciate this section. The team of analysts and clinicians at Kindbridge Behavioral Health carefully record measurable results from client treatment, each quarter, and analyzes the data to ensure that progress is being made. We are happy to share this data (while protecting client privacy) via treatment outcomes reports for both common mental heath issues in addition to process addictions. The reports show that when clients commit to engaging in treatment with Kindbridge, therapy does indeed work. Reference recent treatment outcomes reports for conditions that you may struggle with or are interested in learning more about:
- Treatment Outcomes Report for Depression
- Treatment Outcomes Report for Anxiety
- Treatment Outcomes Report for Stress
- Treatment Outcomes Report for Problem Porn Use
- Treatment Outcomes Report for Problem Gambling (DASS-21 Scores)
- Treatment Outcomes Report for Problem Gambling (Engagement Rates)
Why do Kindbridge treatment outcomes outpace industry standards for certain issues? The answer is rooted on another concern regarding the effectiveness of therapy. It is a common concern that therapy may not be effective if an individual ends up in the wrong type of treatment for their specific needs. This can occur when working with general clinicians. At Kindbridge, however, clients have access to a team that is trained and deeply-experienced in treating specific mental health issues, disorders, and process addictions through proven therapeutic approaches, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and all that it entails (mindful meditation, deep breathing techniques, grounding techniques, etc.).
Nothing to Lose, Everything to Gain
We covered a lot of ground above, but at the end of the day, clients who have come to us and stated “I don’t think therapy will help me” are best assured that it can have a positive impact after committing to and engaging in one session. You can decide how you want to continue from there. There is nothing to lose and everything to gain by booking your first appointment today. Click or call to make it happen.
