How long will pathological liar treatment take?įrequently Asked Questions Is compulsive lying a symptom of depression? Importantly, we don’t just treat your symptoms we aim to help you discover the causes of your compulsive lying, so you can live a more satisfying, fulfilling and authentic life. We may alternatively recommend mindfulness therapy, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) or (Neuro-linguistic programming) NLP, depending on the therapist you engage, to create a program tailored to your individual needs. We may propose short term methods such as hypnotherapy to help change your habitual patterns of thoughts and responses. This session will give us an initial insight into the issues involved in your case, and help us understand what you want to achieve.Īfter the first session, we’ll work with you to create a tailored treatment plan if we agree to work together long term. Compulsive lying is not something you should feel ashamed of or try to hide it’s just a disorder that needs treatment - ideally from someone who can provide an objective and informed perspective without sacrificing empathy for the real pain a lying addiction can cause.ĭuring your first session, you’ll be able to discuss your problem in confidence, ask any questions, and decide if your psychotherapist is the right fit for you. Regardless of which you choose, we provide a safe, supportive, accepting environment, without shame or judgement. We offer online and in-clinic counselling, psychotherapy or hypnotherapy. What can you expect from your pathological liar treatment? But the more thorough the therapy, the more likely you are to achieve lasting results. It requires commitment and the courage to confront painful, long-suppressed emotions. Psychotherapy involves deep, honest self enquiry designed to transform the inner conflicts that give rise to excessive lying in the first place. Not the fake kind of confidence that lying temporarily provides, but an authentic feeling of self-worth. You may notice an improvement in your relationships and a significant increase in your self confidence. Our psychotherapy, counselling or hypnotherapy services are available to help you identify and address the underlying causes of your addiction, so you can work towards the goal of stopping altogether.Īs you begin to gain insight into the triggers and patterns of your compulsive lying, you’ll be better equipped to anticipate and control it. Unfortunately, without therapy, compulsive lying can last a lifetime. It feels more comfortable and more normal than telling the truth, to the point where many compulsive liars end up lying to themselves as well. Whatever the reason, over time, pathological lying can become addictive. This is often seen in people who feel smothered or otherwise controlled. Others do it to carve out a barrier of psychological space between themselves and the other. They feel they need to lie to win the acceptance and approval of people they value.
In some cases, individuals believe deep down that their true self is flawed and not good enough. Many times the cause is opaque, at first.Įventually it becomes an attempt to avoid difficulties, even though new difficulties result from habitual lying. Growing up in an emotionally unsafe environment (where certain thoughts and feelings are considered ‘wrong’) can lead to habitual lying. This compulsion usually starts during childhood, often as a way of coping with difficult feelings of shame or anxiety. Or, if you prefer, you can book an in-clinic session. You can also book an appointment by using our online booking form for online appointments. Your call is completely confidential, and there’s absolutely no obligation. Ĭall Bayside Psychotherapy on (03) 9557 9113 to find out if we’re able to help you.
The second step is to really want to change.ĭo you have any questions for us? Get in touch with us through our online contact form. The first step in recovery is to understand it. More importantly, how do you turn it around? How do you stop lying habitually, regain your sense of self-worth, and return to a life of trusting, secure relationships? So how did the occasional little white lie become a habit, a strategy? And you know that deep intimacy and self-esteem are impossible without it.