5 Common Misconceptions About Therapy
Let’s talk about it, sis.
There’s still a heavy cloud of shame and misunderstanding surrounding therapy, especially in faith-based and minority communities. As a mental health therapist, I’ve heard it all: “Therapy is for crazy people,” “You just need to pray about it,” or “Talking to a stranger won’t help.” Sound familiar?
But here's the truth: Healing is holy, and therapy is one of the many tools God uses to help us walk in freedom, peace, and purpose.
It’s time to set the record straight. Let’s unpack 5 common misconceptions about seeing a therapist, and replace them with truth.
1. “Therapy is only for people with serious problems.”
This one keeps so many people from getting the help they need. The truth is, you don’t have to be in crisis to go to therapy.
Therapy is for:
Processing everyday stress
Navigating relationships
Healing childhood wounds
Working through anxiety or depression
Learning better coping skills
Whether you're surviving or thriving, therapy can help you grow in self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and spiritual alignment.
2. “If I have God, I don’t need therapy.”
This belief is rooted in good intentions, but it misses the point. Yes, God is our ultimate healer, but He also equips people (like therapists, doctors, and pastors) to help facilitate that healing.
You can:
Pray and go to therapy
Read your Bible and process trauma
Believe in deliverance and still need counseling
Faith and therapy aren’t rivals, they’re partners. Jesus healed in many ways: with touch, with words, through community, and with divine power. Therapy is just one more way He works through people.
3. “A therapist will just tell me what to do.”
Nope! A good therapist won’t tell you how to live your life. Instead, they’ll:
Ask thoughtful questions
Help you explore patterns
Offer tools and strategies
Support your healing journey without judgment
Therapy isn’t about control, it’s about empowerment. It gives you the space to discover what’s best for you, with guidance from someone trained to help you get there.
4. “Talking to a stranger won’t help.”
Actually, talking to someone outside your circle can be one of the most healing experiences. A therapist isn’t emotionally involved in your day-to-day, which allows them to offer:
Unbiased perspective
Confidentiality
Emotional safety
Sometimes, the people closest to us can’t give the support we need because they’re part of the pain, or they don’t know how to help. A therapist provides a judgment-free zone where you can fully exhale.
5. “Therapy is too expensive.”
While therapy can be an investment, there are affordable options and even free resources available:
Budget-Friendly Therapy Options:
Open Path Collective – Sessions as low as $30–$60
Faithful Counseling – Online Christian therapy
College counseling centers – Often free for students
Community clinics – Offer low-cost or income-based care
There’s no shame in asking for help. Mental health care is just as important as physical care, and your healing is worth the investment.
Final Thoughts: Give Yourself Permission to Heal
Therapy isn’t a sign of weakness, it’s a step of strength. It’s a brave decision to say, “I want to be whole. I want to heal. I want more.”
As a woman of faith, you are allowed to pray and seek professional help. You are allowed to cry in your prayer closet and sit on a therapy couch. You are allowed to be strong and vulnerable.
The enemy would love for you to stay silent, stuck, and ashamed. But God wants you to be free, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.
