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How many times have you heard (or thought): “therapy is for weak people,” “self-care is just pampering” or “I can fix my own problems”?

These myths about therapy (and plenty of others) keep millions of people away from emotional care that could change their lives. According to the World Health Organization's fact sheet on anxiety disorders, only about 1 in 4 people with an anxiety disorder worldwide receive any treatment. In Brazil, the São Paulo Megacity Mental Health Survey found that only one third of severe cases had received treatment in the previous year.

It's time to bust these beliefs and look, based on science and evidence, at what's true and what's just prejudice when it comes to mental health.

Myth 1: “Therapy Is Only for People with Serious Problems”

❌ The Myth

Many people believe psychotherapy is only for those with severe depression, deep trauma or a diagnosed mental disorder.

✅ The Reality

Therapy is for anyone who wants to know themselves better and enjoy a better emotional quality of life. You don't need to be in crisis to look for psychological support.

Therapy works as preventive maintenance. Just as you get medical checkups even when you have no symptoms, psychological care helps you:

The data: A 2021 meta-analysis of clinical trials led by Pim Cuijpers found that people who took part in preventive psychological interventions had about a 19% lower risk of developing a depressive disorder a year later than those who didn't (roughly 21 people had to take part to prevent one case).

5 Myths About Therapy and Self-Care You Need to Stop Believing

Myth 2: “Self-Care Is Selfish or Self-Indulgent”

❌ The Myth

There's a cultural belief that taking care of yourself is a sign of weakness, laziness or selfishness, especially for women and for people in caregiving roles (mothers, health professionals, managers).

✅ The Reality

Self-care isn't a luxury; it's a basic need. You can't take care of others, do good work or be present in your relationships if you're emotionally and physically drained.

Among people who care for others, there's even a name for where this can lead: compassion fatigue, a state of physical, psychological and social exhaustion that can follow prolonged exposure to the stress of caring for people who are suffering.

Effective self-care includes:

A useful analogy: On a plane, they tell you to put on your own oxygen mask first, then help others. Why? Because if you pass out, you can't help anyone.

Myth 3: “I Can Solve My Problems on My Own”

❌ The Myth

The idea that asking for help is a sign of weakness runs deep, especially in cultures that celebrate “I'll figure it out” and “I can take it.”

✅ The Reality

Strength isn't doing everything alone; it's recognizing when you need support.

We all have emotional blind spots. When we're deep in our own problems, we lose perspective. A mental health professional offers:

Think about it: You wouldn't try to operate on yourself or fix a complex electrical problem without the technical know-how. Why would you treat your mental health any differently?

Myth 4: “Apps and AI Can Replace In-Person Therapy”

❌ The Myth

With the boom in mental health apps and conversational AI, a belief has taken hold that technology can completely replace the work of psychologists and psychiatrists.

✅ The Reality

Technology is a complement, not a substitute. But here's the catch: there's a crucial difference between general-purpose AI and specialized AI.

General-purpose AI (like ChatGPT or Gemini):

Specialized AI (like EITA Mentor):

EITA Mentor, created by Anaclaudia Zani (@anaclaudia.eita), is an example of specialized AI that:

The ideal: Combine in-person therapy with digital support tools between sessions.

Myth 5: “Therapy Is Too Expensive, I Can't Afford It”

❌ The Myth

The perception that psychotherapy is financially out of reach keeps many people from even looking into their options.

✅ The Reality

In Brazil, for example, there are multiple affordable options for mental health care, and many of them have counterparts in other countries:

Free options:

Low-cost options:

Digital tools:

So how much does it cost?

Brazil has no official statistic on the average price of a therapy session. The Federal Council of Psychology (CFP) and the National Federation of Psychologists (Fenapsi) publish a national reference fee table, calculated by the economic research institute DIEESE, but the CFP makes clear that the table sets no floor or ceiling: the fee is agreed between the therapist and the client. In practice, prices range from very low-cost community care to expensive private practice.

Before you decide it's too expensive, compare it with:

Investing in mental health can head off much bigger costs down the road.

Why Do These Myths Persist?

Three main factors keep these myths alive:

  1. Cultural stigma: Mental health is still taboo in many settings
  2. Misinformation: There's little emotional health education in schools and in the media
  3. Bad experiences: People who had poor professionals generalize from them

How Do We Break These Myths?

On a personal level:

On a collective level:

In the workplace:

Conclusion: Information Sets You Free

These five myths have something in common: they all keep people away from the care they need and deserve.

When we bust these beliefs, we open the way to:

Remember: Taking care of your mental health isn't weakness, drama or a luxury. It's smart, strategic and necessary self-care.

If you saw yourself in any of these myths, consider this article an invitation to rethink your beliefs and take the first step toward your emotional well-being.

Looking for emotional support that's accessible and grounded in science?
Meet EITA Mentor, an AI platform specialized in emotional support and built on its own method.

Learn more at mentoravirtual.com.br

Sources

Anaclaudia Zani is a psychologist (CRP 06/128106, Brazil) and neuroscientist, creator of the EITA method and of EITA Mentor.