Mental health is as important as physical health, and when people reach a dark place in their life, therapy is a solution that is brought up quite often. But when people check the rates of therapy, many of them are in for sticker shock. Why is therapy so expensive?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Therapy is so expensive because therapists need to undergo <\/strong>years of school and training<\/strong><\/a> before beginning their careers. Additionally, there are many bills they need to pay to stay on top of their counseling skills, such as books and additional training courses.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
In this post, we'll cover:<\/p>\n
Many people need to talk to someone about what they are currently going through, and while friends and family can be great, not everyone has the skills to be a helpful outlet. It is a natural response for the average person to dive right into “here’s how to fix this based on my experience” rather than genuinely understanding and seeing things from your perspective.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is by no means how everyone is, but it is an insight into why so many people rely on therapy for coping. Additionally, friends\/family might have adverse reactions to what you tell them or even spill private information to others, which creates an untrustful outlet you can’t entirely rely on for help. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ultimately, there are 4 phases in talk therapy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is where you build a relationship. You might not be entirely comfortable sharing all of your details right away, and your therapist is still learning about you. Both of you meet a new person for the first time and are practically strangers to one another. This is perfectly normal; effective therapy involves multiple visits over a decent length of time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After learning about your problems, your therapist will start figuring out the best approach to resolve what you are going through. In this stage, you may still feel uncomfortable sharing certain information that could be helpful. This is where the therapist might gently try to lower your barrier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In this stage, you might be entirely comfortable opening up and talking about your worst problems. This can hurt at first, but it is necessary, and it helps you get a burden off of your shoulders. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Remember, therapy isn’t a race, and you can take the time you need to feel ready to say the worst thoughts. Progressing too fast in therapy can be counterproductive, which is why timing the four stages of therapy properly is crucial.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you feel your therapy has provided the desired outcome and you are in a better place, you can choose to say goodbye. Many clients and therapists are sad to part ways considering how much has been shared over months or even years, but your therapist<\/a> will be happy knowing they were able to help. Some people stay in therapy for life, and that’s ok; people of all walks of life choose to get the help they need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A therapist approaches problems through the side of their client. They are there to dedicate their full attention to you, and their goal is to help, not judge<\/a>. Furthermore, their schooling and training prepare them<\/a> for what you might throw at them and are ready to understand how you are feeling and problem-solve to give you the best advice for your current situation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here is a video explaining what you can expect during your first appointment:<\/p>\n\n\n\n