YOU’RE THINKING ABOUT SEEING SOMEONE

You feel stuck or trapped and as if you are never going to see the light of day again. You leave the house hoping to escape the pain, but it follows you. You hide behind a fake smile, hoping the truth never bleeds through, but you feel exposed as if there is no hiding the truth. You came here looking for answers, but you didn’t know where to start.

You’ve heard all of the jokes and maybe even told a few of them yourself. You do everything you can think of to help the people around you, but you feel like you are the one who is going “nuts” or “crazy.” You are desperate for help, maybe you’ve even figured out that you are making the people around you sick, too. You just don’t know what to believe or where to go for help. This installment is about the myths that keep people from getting the help they need. Dive in with me and consider some of the things people say about counseling and therapy that are not true.

ONLY WEAK PEOPLE NEED A COUNSELOR OR THERAPIST

Everyone needs someone. The Bible tells us over and over again to seek wise counsel and to confess our sins to one another (Proverbs 12:15; 11:14; 19:20‑21)¹. We are told to share our burdens and carry one another’s burdens. Even the harshest critic of the Bible would agree that you cannot manage life on your own. Strong people seek wise counsel and the deep dive of therapy, just as athletes show up to practice to perfect their craft. The truth is that only strong people can handle a counselor or therapist because they recognize the value of help.

IT’S ALL YOUR PARENTS’ FAULT

How many times have you heard someone blame their parents for their problems? While generational patterns exist, you are your own person and you decide how to respond. Counselors focus on the “here and now” and help you change negative behavior patterns. Therapists dive deeper into the roots of those patterns and help you change your response. Ultimately, you are responsible for your behavior, emotions, spirit, and body. As adults you gain more freedom to choose your environment and how you react.

THERAPY AND COUNSELING TAKE FOREVER

Most people spend about twelve to eighteen months in weekly therapy. Roughly ten percent remain lifelong because of serious mental‑health issues or because they enjoy the feedback. Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART), however, can achieve goals in five to ten sessions. The Lion’s Lamb Family Therapy, LLC prefers this model because it is fast, effective, and evidence‑based².

THERAPISTS AND COUNSELORS JUST LISTEN

Therapists and counselors practice active listening—hearing beyond the words to detect emotions and the “missing pieces” of your story. With ART, you do not need to recount every detail; the therapist only needs to know whether your body feels positive, neutral, or negative. The process can be effective even with minimal verbal disclosure.

THERAPISTS AND COUNSELORS GIVE ADVICE

No one knows the details of your life better than you. A therapist can hear you, empathize, and help you consider options, but the final decision always rests with you. Occasionally a therapist may suggest a tool (journaling, solitude, etc.) to help you reach a place where you can make the best choices for yourself.

THERAPY OR COUNSELING IS EXPENSIVE

Consider the value of genuine healing. Ten sessions of ART at the time of writing cost $1,750 (≈ $175 per 50‑minute session). The three criteria for success are: (1) you can move your eyes side‑to‑side, (2) you can hold a thought, and (3) you want to change. Motivation is the key to success. Some clients combine talk therapy with ART, planning for fifteen to twenty sessions total.

ALL THERAPISTS AND COUNSELORS ARE THE SAME

Each provider is unique. The therapeutic relationship is the single biggest predictor of success³. You need a well‑qualified professional who makes you feel understood, not judged.

WHAT YOUR THERAPIST BELIEVES DOESN’T MATTER

Your worldview matters. Whether you believe in chance, a spiritual realm, or a loving God who sent Jesus, that belief shapes how you interpret your struggles. The Lion’s Lamb Family Therapy, LLC holds that there is one God who sent His Son to pay the penalty for all mistakes. You decide whether that belief aligns with your path to healing.

YOU ARE READY TO TAKE THE NEXT STEP

You may feel confused and worried about making the wrong decision, but you know you need help. The darkness is overwhelming, and the feeling of drowning must end. Hope exists, and it does not have to take forever or cost everything.

I am Vickie, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in Maryville, TN, and I help people from Knoxville and the surrounding communities heal from trauma and adverse life experiences. TN License Number 579. Verify my license here: https://www.tn.gov/health/health-program-areas/health-professional-boards/pcmft-board.html

I can help you. Click the link at the top of the page so we can talk.

SUMMARY Eight common myths—weakness, parental blame, endless therapy, passive listening, advice‑giving, cost, sameness, and therapist belief—keep people from seeking help. Knowing the truth, especially that Accelerated Resolution Therapy can bring fast, evidence‑based relief, empowers you to choose healing with a qualified Christian therapist in Maryville, TN.

CITATIONS

Proverbs 12:15; 11:14; 19:20‑21 (English Standard Version). – Biblical call to seek wise counsel. Miller, R. J., et al. (2022). Accelerated Resolution Therapy for PTSD: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 35(4), 456‑466. DOI:10.1002/jts.22789. – Evidence for ART efficacy. Lambert, M. J., & Barley, D. E. (2001). Research Summary on the Therapeutic Relationship and Its Impact on Outcomes. Psychotherapy: Theory, Research, Practice, Training, 38(4), 357‑370. – Therapeutic alliance as primary outcome predictor. American Psychiatric Association. (2022). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, Text Revision (DSM‑5‑TR). – Diagnostic criteria for depression and other disorders. Focus on the Family. (2023). Living in God’s Peace: Biblical Foundations for Inner Calm. https://www.focusonthefamily.com/peace‑in‑Christ – Conservative‑Christian perspective on mental‑health and biblical counsel.