Written by Valentina Dragomir, Psychotherapist |
Below there are 7 most common Romanian myths about psychologists. These are not all myths but the ones I met more often. From my point of view, it is best to be informed and learn about psychologists and psychotherapists. This way we break the stigma that surrounds psychotherapy.
Learn more about integrative psychotherapy.
Myth 1: I don’t need to go to a psychologist because I’m not crazy
It is the best known myth in Romanian culture. This myth is circulated through lack of information and lack of promotion of psychological services and benefits in Romania.
But it really so? Only people with mental illness need psychological services? The answer is clearly no.
Nowadays psychologist see people who need to improve their opinion about themselves, people who need self-knowledge and personal optimization, people suffering, people passing through emotional distress, conflict, confusion, people who don’t find the reason for their diseases by means of allopathic medicine, people who can’t find their place in the world, people who have problems with their couple relationship or marital problems.
Myth 2: Children do not need to see a psychologist
Why do we believe that children don’t need psychological services? Is it because they are too small and because they don’t have the problems of an adult?
It could then be surprised if we understand that their world filled with giant people, children face many difficulties to adapt to the requirements of the adults, school, groups of friends and to meet age-specific needs.
Psychological services are beneficial to the child’s emotional well-being, mental development, self-esteem and emotional intelligence.
Myth 3: The psychologist tells you what to do
The psychologist is not able to tell you what to do. He accompanies you so that you alone have the power to make the decisions that are best for you.
He is neither wise nor city counselor, nor the commander of those who come in the therapy room. Neither will take the role of your parents who have told you what to do all your life.
Psychotherapy is where you can breathe relieved because no one will ever tell you what to do. You can finally think and decide as an adult.
Myth 4: The psychologist can’t help me because he hasn’t gone through what I’m going through
Yes, really, what does the psychologist know? Of course he will not know anything about you before you come into the office. You will explore your problem together with the psychotherapist, and even if he doesn’t have your life experience, the psychologist has an extraordinarily powerful ally. Empathy.
His empathy is very well worked and refined in specialized professional training and it is what psychologists use to understand you.
Beside this, he has what your friends don’t have, namely an objective viewpoint and professional training that puts him in the position he is now. But that does not mean the psychologist is an all-healer. Every psychologist knows his limits and competencies.
Myth 5: Psychologists read your thoughts
Very often I encounter statements like “Well, you tell me, you’re a psychologist”. Psychologists will never know what you’re thinking or what you want to say, or what a dream means for you.
I’ll share a secret, as a gift from me. If I wouldn’t have written, I would have whispered this secret. The secret is that you hold all your answers. The psychologist can help you to get to them.
And thanks to his training can read some nonverbal indicators of your body language to understand you better and help you become aware of certain aspects of your nonverbal language. In this there is no magic, no clairvoyance, no telepathy.
Psychotherapy is not combined with any occult practice, it has a scientific basis.
Myth 6: You see a psychologist only to talk
The truth is that when you see a psychologist, you talk. Psychotherapy is also called “talk therapy”. It is necessary to talk, but also optional.
I mean if you want you can just be silent. But if you choose to speak, I let you know that you don’t only speak, and depending on your personality, your difficulties and the psychotherapeutic techniques used, you engage in a dynamic process that can eventually take you off the therapy chair.
Verbal communication is a psychotherapeutic intervention which means that the therapist uses it for your benefit. From this perspective psychotherapy sessions are not like talking to friends, family or a spiritual leader/priest.
Myth 7: Seeing a psychologist is expensive, You go there only if you have money
Nowadays psychologists offer their services for fees ranging from a few dozen to a few hundred lei. There are foundations / organizations that provide free psychological services for those in need.
Beside this, many psychologists are ready to negotiate the fee depending on client’s situation.
The fee is established taking into account several factors such as the type of psychotherapy, therapeutic experience, field of activity – independent or not.
To help you, your therapist goes through a lengthy process of training of at least 7 years, personal development and self-knowledge for at least 2 years in order to meet the standards of practicing this wonderful profession.
There are psychological services that suit all pockets and the cost of psychotherapy sessions you could see as an investment in yourself with multiple benefits in terms of relationships, health, mood and daily life.
If you have questions send me an email at [email protected]
