November 11th, 2008
Sometimes people are embarrassed to see a therapist. Others might be ashamed to let their friends or family know that they have seen or are seeing a counselor. They think, ‘Will people think I’m crazy or weak?’ But now, the secret is out…
According to a Harris Interactive survey in conjunction with the American Psychological Association, nearly 3 in 10 (or 29%) U.S. adults have been in therapy with a mental health professional (Sourced from the magazine – Social Work Today/Sept./Oct. 2008). It also shows that younger adults are more open to seeking treatment than older ones and that men and women are equally likely to have sought counseling and therapy. The most common reason for seeking help is for depression and anxiety (59%), while other common reasons include trauma/post-traumatic stress (42%), relationship problems (37%), grief (35%), and stress (30%).
In fact, seeing a therapist is a much more common activity than many people think. So, if you feel like you need help or could benefit from seeing a therapist, keep this in mind: Everybody’s doing it!