Society’s perception of mental health, its treatment, and the professionals in the field has improved significantly over the past years, yet stigma and misconceptions are still widespread. Looking back, had I based my perception solely on the traditional representation of therapy in the media, I myself might not have become a psychologist. So, I’d like to shed some light on what therapy really is, what it’s not, and what to expect. I’m writing this as a person who has been on both sides of the therapy room (or, more recently, the screen). You may or may not know this, but most postgraduate degrees in psychology or psychotherapy require their trainees to attend therapy themselves. So in addition to the experiences which our clients share with us, we also have our own first-hand experiences of therapy. We know how challenging it can be to enter a therapy room for the first time and to share the most private or painful parts of your life with someone who is initially a stranger. Understanding how therapy works can help with that.

Ms Martina Caruana, a Neuropsychology Practitioner, provides us with a reminder of how to make the most of our work or study days remotely.