Why Didn’t Therapy Work?

According to a recent study by the Kaiser Family Foundation, over 40% of Coloradoans report anxiety or significant depressive disorder symptoms. These people, likely our friends and neighbors, may need help to cope, and therapy is probably the first step to manage depression and anxiety.

So what is therapy (psychotherapy)?

Psychotherapy or therapy, has many different approaches, including cognitive-behavioral (CBT), interpersonal and other types of talk therapy that help people identify their behavior patterns or thinking that may be causing them stress and anxiety. Therapy is different than psychiatry, which deals with medical issues that result in poor mental health. However, more often than not, these two types of mental health providers work together to help individuals gain control over their lives.

Common myths about psychotherapy abound, mostly because it can be anxiety-producing to be vulnerable in front of a stranger. However, psychotherapy, when done by highly trained professionals with expertise in mental health assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and behavior change, can improve symptoms of depression and anxiety and ultimately result in people living their best lives.

Alleviant Health Centers of Denver interviewed therapist (LMFT) Jasmyne Kettwick from Relate Family Therapy and Counseling to identify why psychotherapy may not have worked in the past. Here are the most common reasons:

1. Wrong Kind of Therapist

The brain of a 14-year-old is different than the brain of an adult. A therapist must be trained to communicate with the person they are treating depending on the individual's problem. For instance, a trauma-informed therapist will be different from a therapist that deals with depression and anxiety.

Another issue that can occur is that the therapist and the patient aren’t a good fit. Some adolescents, for instance, may work better with younger therapists as they may feel that an older therapist can’t really understand them.

2. It Takes More Effort Than the Client is Ready For

Much like exercise, the amount of work you put into therapy can determine your results. But just like exercise, it may take time to build up the strength to confront the true root cause of a client's issue. In the same way it's not right to expect to run a marathon without months of training; going to therapy for a few weeks may not be enough to build the necessary emotional skills. It's not uncommon for individuals to pause from treatment for a while and try it again later when they have the time and perhaps life experience to handle the process.

3. Wrong Kind of Treatment

For some individuals, especially for those who have a biological component to their depression or anxiety, medications may be required to reduce suffering to get into the proper headspace to benefit from talk therapy. In this case, a strong relationship between a therapist and a psychiatrist is important so that a they can combine psychotherapy with medication management to get optimal results for the individual.

4. The Therapist is the Trigger

Commonly referred to as transference or counter-transference, some individuals are reminded of their therapist's previous traumatic experiences. For instance, if the trauma was caused by an abusive parent of a particular gender and the therapist is the same gender, it can be challenging to be vulnerable with the therapy. Conversely, this could also work positively in that an individual might make progress towards understanding that not everyone with the same characteristics is dangerous.

Conclusion

Seeking therapy is a deeply personal issue that has been highly stigmatized. However, with so many people suffering from personal struggles and mental health issues due to the pandemic, it should be encouraging to know that you’re not alone. If you feel therapy would benefit you, there are resources available in Colorado to assist you. But if you’re not ready, find a friend and open up. It may allow others to do the same and enable life-changing conversations for the better.