Mental Health Stigma in the Information Age

Mental Health Stigma, Therapy in San Luis Obispo County, California

Mental health stigma has evolved significantly in the past decade. When I was in graduate school over ten years ago, stigma often looked like silence—an unspoken barrier that kept people from seeking help. Today, the conversation about mental health is louder than ever, accelerated by cultural shifts and the collective impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Therapy has entered the mainstream. In my private practice in San Luis Obispo County, I’ve noticed some teens treat having a therapist like a trendy accessory, almost akin to wearing the latest pair of Nikes. Meanwhile, many older generations are celebrating breakthroughs, proudly sharing with their loved ones, “Grandpa is going to therapy!”

This cultural shift is a welcome change, but mental health stigma hasn’t disappeared. Instead, it has taken on more nuanced and subtle forms—ones we may not immediately recognize but still hold people back.

“Therapy Is Great—For You”

I remember sitting with a group of friends who spent twenty minutes passionately discussing the importance of therapy. They talked about self-care, shared insights from TikTok therapists, and validated the idea that everyone should prioritize mental health.

Then, someone asked, “Who here hasn’t been to therapy?”

Half the group raised their hands. They supported therapy in theory, but they had never experienced it themselves. It struck me as the mental health equivalent of saying you love snorkeling without ever setting foot in the ocean.

This disconnect reveals one of the new faces of stigma: outward support of therapy as an abstract concept—good for others, but not something they personally need. The underlying message? “I’m fine. But if you need it, that’s great!”

“I’ve Already Done Therapy”

Another form of stigma I encounter in my San Luis Obispo therapy practice is the belief that therapy is a one-and-done solution. I once heard a story about someone gently suggesting therapy to a friend going through a difficult time. The response? “I’ve already done that!”

This mindset implies that therapy is a box to check, like getting your flu shot. But therapy isn’t a one-time fix. It’s a resource to return to as often as needed.

I’ve worked with clients in SLO County who hesitated to reenter therapy, weighed down by the false belief that coming back meant they had failed the first time. In reality, seeking support again is an act of courage, not an admission of defeat. Life’s challenges evolve, and so does our need for care.

There’s no finish line for mental health. Therapy is not about “getting it right” but about showing up, again and again, for your growth and well-being.

“I Can Just Read a Book”

We live in the information age, and many clients come to therapy armed with knowledge about mental health. They’ve read books, watched videos, and followed Instagram therapists.

This empowerment is incredible—it fosters awareness and destigmatizes conversations about mental health. But sometimes, it leads to over-intellectualization. Clients become experts at understanding their symptoms but struggle with the heart of the therapeutic process: feeling.

If healing were purely about understanding the brain or memorizing coping techniques, therapists would be the most mentally healthy people in the world (spoiler: we’re not). Healing is both a science and an art. It’s deeply personal and rarely follows a textbook path.

Some of the most transformative moments in therapy are quiet and unexpected: a kind reflection from your therapist, a question that shifts your perspective, or an insightful comment that leaves you feeling truly seen. These are moments that no book or blog post can replicate.

Therapy isn’t just about learning—it’s about connection, growth, and transformation.

“I Shouldn’t Need This”

One of the sneakiest forms of stigma I see today in SLO County therapy clients is the belief that someone shouldn’t need therapy because other people have it worse.

I had a client once tell me they felt guilty for taking up space in my schedule. “Surely someone else needs you more,” they said.

This kind of thinking minimizes our own pain and invalidates our experiences. Comparing struggles doesn’t make anyone’s pain less real. Whether you’re grieving the loss of a loved one, navigating a difficult relationship, or simply feeling stuck, your challenges are valid.

Courage is the common thread among all therapy clients—not the size of their problems. It takes bravery to walk into a therapist’s office and say, “I need help.”

Therapy in San Luis Obispo County

We’ve come a long way in addressing mental health stigma, but there’s still work to do—especially when it comes to self-stigma. If you’ve ever minimized your pain, hesitated to reach out because you “shouldn’t need it,” or felt ashamed for seeking help, know this: you are deserving of care. Not because you’re “such a mess” - but because you are worthy of being taken care of.

If you’re in San Luis Obispo (SLO) County (or seeking telehealth in California, Utah, or Iowa) and looking for a compassionate, supportive therapist, I’m here to help. Therapy is for everyone, at any stage of life, for any reason.

Take the first step today. Call 805-956-8555 or click here to schedule a session in Arroyo Grande, San Luis Obispo County, California.