Considering how expensive and scarce mental-health care can be in America, it seems counterproductive to waste time lying to your counselor.

But John D. Grohol over at World of Psychology says he’ s met many people who do.
He lists 10 common reasons, including embarrassment, fear of being reported or judged, and need of a coping mechanism.
Although some mental-health professionals do judge their clients and create an atmosphere where it’s hard to build trust, there are many others who genuinely care and seek to uphold the standards and ethics of their profession.
That includes confidentiality, which is practiced unless “people are in danger of harming themselves, others, a senior citizen or a child.”

Despite the worries, Grohol says - and I agree - that people seeking mental-health care should be as honest as possible:

The truth is that psychotherapy is complex and challenges both the psychotherapist and the client to work outside their comfort zone. Change and progress takes effort, and that sometimes means not always being entirely truthful with a professional. But it also means challenging ourselves to try, even when it doesn’t feel natural or easy.

Have you ever lied to a therapist or had an experience that was particularly good, bad or ugly? Feel free to share.