Ep. 39 - Why People Want Therapy But Still Avoid It

Send us Fan MailSometimes the hardest part of getting help isn’t finding a therapist. It’s actually walking through the door.Dr. Andrew Rosen and Dr. David Gross talk honestly about the many reasons people struggle to follow through with mental health care. Someone may call a clinic asking about therapy, even schedule an appointment, and still never show up. That gap between wanting help and accepting it is something clinicians see every day.A lot of it comes down to what psychologists call resistance. Shame, embarrassment, fear of being judged, and the simple discomfort of sharing personal struggles with a stranger can make people hesitate or hold back. Family upbringing, cultural expectations, and the idea that asking for help means something is “wrong” with you all play a role.They also talk about what happens once someone does make it to therapy. Trust takes time. Painful experiences may not surface until many sessions later. Sometimes people apologize for crying. Sometimes they worry that medication means they are weak or defective. Other times they hope for a quick fix without addressing the deeper issues that led them there.What most people don’t realize is that resistance doesn’t disappear. It’s part of being human. Therapy often means working through that resistance slowly, building trust, and recognizing that emotional pain is just as real as physical pain.For many people, simply showing up is already half the battle.Contact the Docs:Email: [email protected] the Docs:Email: [email protected]