If I go to a Therapist, does that mean I'm Crazy

The Dilemma of stepping into Therapeutic Spaces When it comes to surrendering your thoughts and emotions to some stranger, it can be intimidating and we all will undeniably have reservations. I mean even I do. Just imagine letting someone into your world where you are at times in your most vulnerable state. Not forgetting the inner voices of your insecurity speaking to you telling you not to open-up due to fear of judgement!

When it comes to getting help for our mental well-being the first thought that arises within ourselves or what we commonly tell everyone is "I'm not crazy, I don't need to see a therapist!, If I go to a therapist, does that mean I'm crazy, weak or a failure? What will others think? What if I'm seen coming out of that kind of office?". Such concerns are quite natural given our socio-cultural conditioning.

Unfortunately, as a result, many people decide not to pursue counselling despite suffering significant emotional, physical, or mental distress."

The Stigma bound to Therapeutic Spaces

While I believe being in therapy is more normalized than ever, the sad fact remains that the reason people cite most for not seeking it is concern about how others will see them (Corrigan, 2004). Our efforts to eradicate stigma clearly have a long way to go, and therapists must lead the way (Rubin, 2020).

The point is, I ask. I acknowledge that counseling, therapy, and "treatment" can be a scary concept, let alone a reality. It's important to remedy any archaic assumptions and to tread carefully with topics that elicit fear. There is some research being done regarding self-stigma, or the internalization of perceived public stigma, that seems to support the idea of more transparent interventions to help reduce the negative impact of stigma itself (Schreiber & Hartrick, 2002).

Being in therapy is nothing like the movies made it look like. It's going to a safe place and talking about anything you want. The second you walk into the office, everything is confidential. It's an amazing feeling to just be able to express every feeling you've ever had and having the response be only the best way to make you feel better. The therapist can't tell your parents anything (unless it could hurt you), and they're being paid to listen and give suggestions, not diagnose you with anything. There's no leather couches or any "how does that make you feel?" It's just two people having an open, honest conversation."

What do these spaces offer?

When we think of the word therapy, a mental image of laying on a couch and hearing "how does that make you feel?" comes into mind. Most likely, we'll imagine the person in therapy is crying over an incident that makes them look crazy, and we'll picture the therapist as an old guy with a notebook. This is what the movies and TV shows have led us to believe therapy is like. It's meant for the mentally ill, the "emo" kids, and the crazy people that can't get their life in order.

Yet, I reject those beliefs.

Dance/movement therapists weave together dialogues that facilitate transformation of everyday movements into expressive communication. This process opens a pathway to re-establish connection with the body by experiencing and expressing feelings and identifying how emerging awareness's parallel and reflect unique behavioral patterns. These experiences are explored through both nonverbal and verbal reflection.

When faced with difficult therapeutic situations, therapists often look to external techniques or modalities to determine their responses, rather than trusting their own sense of self. According to Daniel Siegel, "Responding to the patient's nonverbal signals, including tone of voice, facial expressions, eye gaze,tone of voice, facial expressions, eye gaze, and bodily motion, can reveal the otherwise hidden shifts in states of mind. Resonating with these expressions of primary emotions requires that the therapist feel the feelings, not merely understand them conceptually." What do these spaces offer?

If you are going through one or more challenges at the same time, you're not alone.

Therapy during these times can be quite helpful in providing both the support and skills to better address these life challenges. Ultimately, it is an invaluable investment in your emotional, physical and mental health, an act of courage, not weakness, and a gift to those whose lives you touch.

If you're a therapist and have wondered what it's like to be on the other side of the couch, or for another professional's perspective on what you can do to combat mental health stigma, work with a therapist in your area.

If you're not a counselor and have wondered about therapy's promise, try it out. As they often say to new clients, therapy is an experiment-if the status quo isn't working for you, give it a shot and see what happens. References Hagan, E., 2021. The Stigma of Therapy. [online) Psychology Today. Available at: < https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/occupational-hazards/200806/the-stigma-therapy>

Beth, M. 2070. The Best Way he/stomer printhe tie of Being in Traprap Canine Ease herapy of Angable aerapy/s gold ay org/For-

Rose, E., 2015. The Stigma Around Therapy. (online] The Odyssey Online. Available at: ‹https://www.theodysseyonline.com/stigma-around-therapy> [Accessed 1 July 2021].

Kleinman, S., 2016. The Body Speaks: Dance/Movement Therapy Creates Movement Toward Eating Disorders Recovery - Eating Disorders Catalogue. (onlinel Eating Disorders Catalogue.

Available at: ‹https://www.edcatalogue.com/the-body-speaks-dancemovement-therapy-creates-movement-toward-eating-disorders-recovery/> [Accessed 6 July 2021).