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Has Therapy Become the New Religion?

Curt and Katie chat about op ed pieces from the New York Times, where there are a lot of opinions on what therapy is and should be. We explore comparisons of therapy to religion, the notion that going to therapy makes one good, safe and dateable, and how therapy seems to have invaded our lives.

Transcripts for this episode will be available at mtsgpodcast.com!

In this podcast episode we talk about the opinion that therapy has become morally good

Katie likes reading New York Times Op Ed pieces on what therapy is now. We decided to explore some of the questions these articles raise.

What does the New York Times have to say about therapy and therapists?

Going to therapy makes you a good person
Putting that you’re going to therapy on your dating app is a cheat code – meaning that you are safe to date
We have reached a point where we’re more focused on “mental health” than on mental illness
Therapy-speak has invaded everything
It is toxic to tell everyone to go to therapy

What is leading to comparisons of therapy to religion?

Decreased membership in organized religion
Finding your own morals and values outside of organized religion
Finding meaning and purpose through the work you do in therapy
A fear of the degradation of social contracts and a rise of moral relativism

How are people framing the role of the therapist?

Potential for individual exploration of how to live one’s life that is individualized and less tied to specific doctrine
Another potential to be seen as giving direction on how to live life
The role of community care versus individualized healing
Relationship versus individual focus
The nuance of what therapy is versus the fears of what is being done

What is the fear about therapy being so central in our lives?

The worry that people are too self-focused and not sufficiently other focused
Pushing back on the status quo and established systems
The notion that “therapy is good” and “all people need therapy”
Therapy as a status symbol or a designation that I’m a good person
Lack of access for folks with mental illness due to “worried well” and “personal growth” clients taking all of the spots

Resources for Modern Therapists mentioned in this Podcast Episode:

We’ve pulled together resources mentioned in this episode and put together some handy-dandy links. Please note that some of the links below may be affiliate links, so if you purchase after clicking below, we may get a little bit of cash in our pockets. We thank you in advance!

New York Times’ Articles:

Why Do People Think Going to Therapy Makes You A Good Person? By Mychal Denzel Smith

We Have Reached Peak ‘Mental Health’ by Huw Green

Is it Toxic to Tell Everyone to Get Therapy? By Zachary Siegel

How the Language of Therapy Took Over Dating by Dani Blum

The Problem with Letting Therapy-Speak Invade Everything by Tara Isabella Burton

Our Linktree: https://linktr.ee/therapyreimagined