The term "therapy" has become broadened, it now being considered to include art or music or walking or shopping or another relaxing activity. But "psychotherapy," the treatment of emotional ills, has historically referred to treatment inside a person's mind. The unconscious is very powerful and one must respect its power.
Along with this misconception are the following.
1. While the benefits of psychotherapy can be priceless, its outcome depends on the talent and education of the therapist and, like with the members of all trades, the outcome of their work will differ.
2. The sex of the therapist, or indeed any demographic, has nothing to do with the effectiveness of treatment, with the rare exception that if a person has been severely abused they may feel more comfortable with a therapist of the opposite sex.
3. A therapist is not your friend though there are friendship aspects to the interaction. It is a business relationship in which the therapist is being paid to improve the life of their patient.
4. While therapy is an enjoyable experience there will be pain when some experiences and issues are discussed.
5. At the first session the therapist will already know much about you deriving from their education and training.
6. A change of therapist should be considered when: the therapist frequently changes appointment time with their reason not being illness; the therapist uses professional jargon to explain human difficulties; the therapist deprecates the patient's ability to achieve an educational or vocational or personal goal; the therapist often seems bored or sleepy.
7. Progress in therapy is unrelated to the number of words spoken during a session though most patients benefit from a more active therapist.
Yet with all these cautions, psychotherapy remains the only way to repair the painful effects of destructive developmental experiences.