The idea of therapy used to come with a pretty specific mental image. You lie on a couch and talk about your problems while a psychoanalyst tries to interpret what you are saying so they can tell you why you are the way that you are.
As many people know, that isn’t an accurate depiction of what modern therapy looks like, or even what its purpose is. Still, given that our understanding of mental health issues has shifted so dramatically and so quickly in the past century or so, people of different ages tend to have wildly different beliefs about what therapy is and isn’t actually good for.
Gen Z, millennials, Gen X, and boomers all have their own ideas about what therapy is good for.
Baby boomers are often hesitant to try therapy, but more are starting to realize they need it.
For many baby boomers, therapy still carries a bit of old-school stigma. When they were younger, people only really talked to a therapist if something was seriously wrong. Discussing emotions wasn’t openly encouraged, and asking for help felt like admitting that they couldn’t handle their own life.
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Now, that doesn’t necessarily mean boomers don’t believe in therapy. Actually, it’s quite the opposite. Many see it as useful for dealing with grief, divorce, family problems, or major crises. However, they don’t really see it as the place to learn about yourself.
They tend to look at therapy from a more practical standpoint. Talk about their problems with someone, get their bearings, and move on with their lives.
Gen X goes to therapy to overcome obstacles they can’t handle alone.
This generation has some divided views on therapy. Since they grew up being highly independent and figuring things out by themselves, many aren’t so willing to let others in on their emotions, even if it’s a professional.
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They might only agree to go to therapy when something is genuinely getting in the way of their life. It’s safe to assume that they’ve already tried dealing with a difficult marriage or parenting struggles on their own and just couldn’t do it.
When they do show up for therapy, they want to gain something valuable. Give them some insight into themselves and practical tools they can actually use, and they’re good to go. They just want someone qualified to help them sort out their messes.
Millennials think therapy can be useful for preventing life from getting out of control.
Millennials start going to therapy before things reach total disaster status. Mental health conversations became more mainstream during their formative years, so going to therapy isn’t considered a last resort. They’re more likely to want to talk about their daily stressorslike anxiety, relationship problems, work, and family issues.
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This generation also places a big emphasis on self-awareness. A millennial might walk into therapy because they’re struggling with a specific problem and walk out realizing it somehow connects back to their childhood. They appreciate having a safe space to unpack all of that without having to pretend that everything is fine.
Gen Z sees therapy as a place to understand themselves better.
To Gen Z, therapy is a great place to sort through the stuff that takes up way too much real estate in their heads. They see it as a major part of figuring themselves out. Whether they want to hash out some friend drama or they just want to figure out their need for control, a therapist is often the person they prefer to turn to.
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They’re also much more comfortable treating mental health issues as a normal part of life rather than a secret problem to hide from everyone. Therapy is a tool to help them communicate better and stop repeating patterns that clearly aren’t working.
Kayla Asbach is a writer with a bachelor’s degree from the University of Central Florida. She covers relationships, psychology, self-help, pop culture, and human interest topics.