The Therapy Myth: Why You Don’t Need to Be "Broken" to Seek Help

Team UpLife
May 2
2 min read

Raise your hand if you’ve ever thought about going to therapy but immediately dismissed the idea with, “But I’m not crazy!” Or maybe you’ve had a well-meaning auntie say, “Therapy? Beta, you just need some chai and a good nap.”

The idea that therapy is only for people who are “broken” is one of the biggest myths floating around. It’s right up there with “you swallow eight spiders a year in your sleep” and “cows have best friends.” (Okay, the last one is actually true, but you get the point.)

Therapy: Not Just for Meltdowns and Midlife Crises

There’s this weird misconception that you need to hit rock bottom, have a full-blown breakdown in a grocery store, or start writing cryptic song lyrics in your journal before you can book a session with a therapist. But here’s the thing: therapy isn’t a last resort; it’s a life upgrade.

Think of therapy like going to the gym. You don’t wait until you’re completely out of shape to start working out, right? (Okay, some of us do, but ideally, we wouldn’t.) Therapy works the same way—it helps you build mental fitness so that when life throws curveballs at you, you can dodge them like a pro instead of getting smacked in the face.

The "Not a Big Deal" Trap

A lot of us convince ourselves that what we're going through isn’t that bad. “Everyone goes through this,” “It’ll get better on its own,” or the classic “Kuch khas bura hua nahi, so I shouldn’t feel like taking therapy.” But here’s the truth—just because your struggles aren’t the absolute worst-case scenario doesn’t mean they aren’t valid. You don’t need to have a dramatic backstory or a headline-worthy crisis to justify seeking help. If something is weighing on your mind, that’s reason enough.

The Many Faces of Therapy (And None of Them Are Judgy)

Still not convinced? Here’s a list of completely valid reasons to go to therapy that have nothing to do with being “broken”:

You want to rant without fear of your mom bringing it up five years later.
You have career goals but keep getting distracted by cat videos.
You overanalyze texts like you’re decoding an ancient script.
You’re tired of replaying awkward moments from ten years ago at 3 AM.
You just want to learn how to say ‘no’ without experiencing soul-crushing guilt.

But Isn’t Therapy Expensive?

Yes, therapy can be pricey, but so is ordering takeout every time you have an existential crisis. And let’s be honest—investing in your mental well-being pays off way more than buying yet another scented candle in the name of self-care (we’ve all been there). Plus, many workplaces, universities, and online platforms now offer affordable or even free counseling services.

You’re Not Broken—You’re Human

Let’s stop treating therapy like a repair shop and start seeing it as what it really is: a space to understand yourself better, grow, and navigate life with a little more ease.

So if you’ve been waiting for a sign to book that first session, here it is. You don’t have to be “broken” to go to therapy—sometimes, you just need someone to help you untangle the spaghetti mess of thoughts in your head. And that’s more than okay.