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?!

I have had therapy over the last ten years, once to deal with the breakdown of my relationship and then a few years later.

My friends and sisters go or have gone, yes it’s expensive but sometimes it’s a lifesaver.

I have never instagrammed it, it’s not a fad/trend, it’s private.

My mother even went to deal with issues going back 40 years. Back then they gave you pills and told you to get on with it, we live in a better world now.

So YES you are being unreasonable and judgey to boot.

I think it’s brilliant that people are being so open about going to a therapist, it normalises it, and there’s nothing wrong with having therapy/getting help, self improvement, whatever you want to call it.

I firmly believe that everyone should have to have therapy when they reach adulthood (between the ages of 18-25).

Maybe then the cycle of abuse and dysfunction in society will start to be eradicated and there will be a lot less arseholes around!

Why is it a stigma to you? That's the more important question op.

And can I just say good on anyone for speaking up if you are going. The best thing I ever did was start talking about mental health more.

I'm a therapist who has had loads of therapy. I think it's life changing.

When I was teaching we just got the token 'after school yoga' during which everyone was stressing about what they could be doing instead of yoga!

When I was teaching there was also the Schools' Advisory Service where you could access free counselling, GP service, and certain other services for a number of sessions per year, such as physiotherapy. Mainstream, LA-controlled school. But people didn't know about it because they didn't advertise it! It's always worth asking. In a school, ask your SBM. Elsewhere, someone linked to HR will probably know.

Why is it a stigma to you? That's the more important question op.

It's not a 'stigma' to me. I was commenting that it does seem to be a 'thing' at the moment on social media etc and was partly wondering if it's because 'therapy' sounds more glamorous than 'counselling', and was wondering about what it all actually means.

I think therapy can be helpful to people and all power to them.

What I intensely dislike is the assumption that every problem can be ‘fixed’ by counselling and that if it is not solved, the individual going to the sessions is at fault.

Also I do sometimes talk about it on social media. Not in a “look at me, I go to therapy” kind of way, but because I want to help to normalise it. I waited/wasted years not going because I thought it meant I was crazy.

I had cognitive behaviour therapy for work related stress paid for by my workplace. I didn’t see it as an accessory just a very much needed intervention before I lost it. Hugely grateful for it an now manage to keep my life on a relatively even keel

Outofinspiration - When I read your posts, I don't read judgement as much as a motivated curiosity (wherever that motivation is coming from).

I'd try it out. Why not?

Some say yes they’re the same, some are outraged.

I think lots of stuff is therapeutic without being defined as therapy, which is why the lines are probably so blurred.

I was listening to Radio 4 in the car today, no idea what the programme was, but they were discussing something called The Listening Service. They had a guy on who had accessed it when feeling incredibly depressed and suicidal and he said he found it incredibly helpful to just have someone to talk to who just listened. He said he used the service for about a year and hasn't had a single suicidal thought in 8 or 9 months now. So not "therapy" but incredibly therapeutic.

I have been saying for years that I'd love to drive home from work on a Friday evening and have a therapy session to end the week. It would be amazing to offload everything and then have a wonderful calm weekend.

I really overused incredibly in my last post

‘Shrinks’ in the US usually means a psychiatrist, who is a medical doctor who then specialises. They would normally do long term ‘talking’ therapy exploring your past. Or for psychological conditions like schizophrenia. They may also prescribe drugs. I don’t think this is the therapy you may have seen, as this costs £200+ an hour.
A psychotherapist costs around £50/hour. You would see one if you, say, were going through a tough time because of divorce, a bereavement or to work through a particular problem. Do you see the difference?

Outofinspiration - When I read your posts, I don't read judgement as much as a motivated curiosity (wherever that motivation is coming from).

Thank you. Your posts have been really helpful by the way.

I will admit to possibly feeling a bit judgy about it. I think it's partly the social media aspect of things, some people who are saying about going for therapy, also strikesme as the sort of people who like to have the latest lifestyle accessories so that's what makes me think that way. And same for the people I know in real life, Londoners, quite wealthy etc, it all fits a certain profile iykwim? And that people didn't talk about 'counselling' that much, but when its called 'therapy' it sounds 'better' and therefore more acceptable?

I have counselling every month and have done for 12 years now. I started due to terrible anxiety but even though I am better now I still go as it's a great place to just chat and have someone listen (friends aren't the same as noone will listen to you go on for an hour without ever cutting in!). It helps a lot to keep my mental and emotional health on an even keel. I also really like my counsellor so enjoy going to see her. I don't talk about it publicly though - seems a bit attention seeking! (not that it's a secret I just don't broadcast it)

When did going for 'therapy' become a thing?

When, as a society, we realised it was better to help people with their problems rather than demand they buttoned up and "got on with things". Anything that normalises therapy - of any description - is fine with me.

It's not a 'fad' or a 'luxury' to have therapy - it can change your quality of life or literally be a life saver.

I think people use the word therapy more than counselling now because of the huge increase of CBT available on the NHS now. 10 years ago counselling was more common. Now we know evidence based treatments have better outcomes for a lot of common mental health problems.

Generalisation alert
I think the reason it started as an American thing (other than the good reason of Americans being more open to talking about their feelings to strangers) is that they work longer hours with less holiday and had less time with friends to chat organically and sort thoughts and feelings out in their heads.
So paying a therapist who can do what a great friend would do over a long time is a short scheduled way of doing the same thing. Yes a therapist is trained but for most people who don't have intricate mental health problems (think more stress, low level short term depression), friendships and relationships perform this role. And generally you already know you like them and work well together. Now in the UK we work longer hours and don't have time to chew the fat with our friends. Modern society (Longer working hours and people text instead of speaking) means that these friendship support networks are failing us and more people are falling into deeper mental health issues.
Well, that's what I think anyway... I am in no way qualified or experienced and I am not talking about severe mental health issues here which I think are a different kettle of fish.

When people started taking their mental health seriously
Your issue with that is what, exactly? You prefer unresolved depression and anxiety and high suicide rates? Surely not.

I've had two lots of therapy, talking therapy, 6 weekly sessions each time, same therapist. Only when I'd just had a massive breakdown though. Perhaps if people had more mental health check ups like dental check ups then problems could be caught before it gets to crisis levels.

I think everyone could benefit from it now and again.

Why do you care OP?

Have suicide rates gone down as therapy has gone up?

Genuinely intended. I don’t know.