Why Do We Avoid Therapy?

Many of us have a hard time getting the help we need because we avoid therapy, for multiple different reasons. Even though we know therapy might be beneficial, even when we’re desperate for help, we postpone finding a therapist. Addressing our deeply rooted fears and emotional blocks is so important for our mental health, but understandably we avoid it. Here are some of the reasons why we avoid therapy.

We’re afraid.

Plain and simple. We’re afraid to face our stuff- our issues, our problems, our pasts can all feel like… a lot. Too much sometimes. Where to start? We might be nervous to talk with a perfect stranger. Sometimes we feel embarrassed and ashamed about the painful things we need to talk about. The truth is, that painful stuff- that’s what therapists are there to help with. Be brave. The right therapist will never make you feel judged and will work with you to address your stuff at your own pace.

That being said, some of us have had-

Bad experiences in therapy.

Many of us can say that the therapist we love came after a few we didn’t. Some of us have even had traumatic experiences with the professionals we trusted, where our trust was betrayed. Maybe we felt judged, criticized, misunderstood or violated. This can be extremely traumatic. When you feel ready and you’re open to it, the right therapist can provide a safe space where you feel comfortable talking about difficult things, including past experiences in therapy.

We don’t want to get better.

Not too many people would admit that they want to stay depressed, but many of us subconsciously don’t want to be happy. Whether it’s because deep down we don’t love or value ourselves, or because we feel we don’t deserve to be happy, for many of us the comfort zone of depression can make us stay in that place. Therapy is one of the many self-care practices we don’t prioritize. Sometimes staying stagnant is easier than doing the hard work of recovery.

We don’t know where to start.

Some of us have never tried therapy before and aren’t sure how to start the process of looking for one. Some of us have done therapy but have discontinued and find ourselves trying to start the process all over again. Starting therapy can be overwhelming and daunting. We feel intimidated by the whole thing, so we procrastinate, make excuses, and continue to put it off.  

Enlightened Solutions includes therapy in the recovery process. We’re here to help. Call (833) 801-LIVE.