When did going for 'therapy' become a thing?

[Outofinspiration]

I have noticed increasingly on Instagram etc that more and more people (Instamums and the like) are posting about their 'therapy' sessions. How amazing they are, how everyone should go to therapy blah blah blah. And in real life in the last few weeks 2 of my friends have brought up something their 'therapist' said about this or that.

I thought therapy was an American thing? Is it just a posher, less 'NHS' version of counselling, or is it something different?

Does anyone here go for 'therapy'? Am I missing a trick, is this something I should be doing?!

Hmm I'm currently having EMDR therapy for PTSD.
Does that count?

I believe self development is something every person could benefit from.
It’s great that people are far more open now to discussing and sharing their experiences.

It does seem to be a lot more common now, and that's probably a good thing.

I'd love to have therapy. But I can't face finding the right therapist right now, and it would probably be painful to re-visit everything. I hope to do it at some point.

I have counselling and therapy. The counselling is purely talk based and focuses on my relationships. The therapy is based on certain traumas, involves some talk but is also specifically action based.

I believe self development is something every person could benefit from.

But is 'therapy' just 'self development' then? Is it different from the sort of counselling that you might get referred for from your doctor?

Therapy = counselling

Any help ANYBODY can get to help them with poor mental health is to be applauded , not derided.
We have a mental health crisis in this country. It is not a fad or an affectation, this is people trying to get well

I had therapy for CPTSD, so not a fad for me.. couldn't recommend it highly enough.

Anyone wanting to find ways to improve their self-esteem, their emotional welfare and their understanding of themselves is a hero for me. Therapy has been around for hundreds of years in many forms albeit psychotherapy probably wasn't really a 'thing' til late 19th Century.

However, the Ancient Greeks used forms of therapy for adjustment of humours. I'd say if it's been going on that long it can't be an American thing.

Counselling/therapy....I think therapy sounds better. Maybe someone who works in the field can explain if there is a difference.
We Brits tend not to talk about it, but I think you’d be surprised at the number of people(you know) who have therapy in the UK. It’s a million if not billion £ industry. I’ve been going on and off for nearly 20 years, and I know loads of people who have had therapy. Don’t know many who will openly admit to going regularly; it’s usually a past tense thing. The key is finding a good one....which is a bit needle in haystack.

Therapy and counselling aren’t the same thing. Counselling is more supporting to explore your feelings, things like cognitive behavioural therapy or psychotherapy are much more challenging and directive.

I'm amazed that so many people can afford it.

I go to therapy. I have done for about 20 years, off and on (and solidly for the past 12 years).

I would never post about it on social media. My feeling is that those who do that haven't yet really dealt with the core reason they're going.

But is therapy very expensive and therefore only available to a certain type of person? Can you get therapy on the NHS? I know there are certain things that you can get like CBT, but that is different isn't it?

It kind of seems like a fad to me, but that might just be the 'Instagram' aspect of it. I'm genuinely interested really, because it seems to be quite a specific thing that has come about all of a sudden.

I think it's a good thing. And lots of things are "therapeutic" without being official "therapy" in the medical sense that everyone thinks of it.

DH offering me a cup of tea when I come home exhausted and fed up is therapeutic, just as much as the counselling I had for stress and depression was.

I didn't feel the need to post about it in social media, but possibly the apparent rise in people having therapy is just people talking about it more. The more that is done to de-stigmatise mental health issues and encourage people to look after their mental health in the same way they (should!) look after their physical health, the better.

Am I missing a trick, is this something I should be doing?!

Depends. Do you feel you need to address anything in your life that therapy/counselling might help with?

I tried counselling a couple of times; the first time the counsellor told me that the reasons behind my panic attacks were just normal stuff everyone goes through and hence there was nothing she could do to help, and the second time I left after another one asked me to describe how I felt about a nice stone on her windowsill... so from my experience, I don’t think you’re missing anything!

I'm amazed that so many people can afford it.

Yes, this is what struck me. It feels like quite a 'luxury' to be able to have a therapist?

Ten years, twelve therapists, fixed. Worth it.

Can you get therapy on the NHS? I know there are certain things that you can get like CBT, but that is different isn't it?

Cognitive behavior therapy.

How are you defining therapy?

Yes I went for therapy after a very abusive marriage. I came out of it a different person. I wish I’d been able to have it as a younger person. I had a violent alcoholic Dad so I was a textbook case for getting into an abusive relationship! If It had been available to me then, I would have walked away before getting involved. I’m a great believer.

Depends. Do you feel you need to address anything in your life that therapy/counselling might help with?

Yes, I think there are several things that therapy would help with. But I dont really have the time or the money for it to be honest.

But the reason I asked that was because online it seems like people are saying 'oh everyone should go to therapy' which makes it sound more like some kind of lifestyle accessory than something that you might really need iyswim?

Yes, you can get different therapies on the NHS, or the NHS can direct you to free sessions, but it's very much a postcode lottery and free services will usually limit the number of sessions you have at any one time.

When I had NHS therapy, I was in a very bad way, so you may not be able to access this sort of service easily unless your issues are having a significant impact on your day-to-day life. Even then, some have struggled to access them.

I somehow feel you're not quite articulating exactly what you're really thinking OP.

How are you defining therapy?

This is the question I'm kind of asking. When I think of the 'therapy' that everyone seems to be talking about on social media/real life, I think of the American style 'shrink' whose couch you lie on, but I don't know if that's really it?

Yes, I see what you mean - a bit like saying, "Oh, everyone should try X, Y, Z once in their life."

Unfortunately, you're right about the cost - I've looked into private sessions and it is expensive.

Depending on what you want to address, there may be things you could do yourself, or in support groups.