If the thought of seeing a therapist is intimidating or unpleasant, there’s a good chance the
media has influenced you. When you picture a therapist in movies or TV, you may think of an
older man wearing a sweater vest with his glasses resting halfway down his nose. Fictionalized
therapists often embody these stereotypes in the name of entertainment. Still, the description
doesn’t reflect most present-day therapists.

Popular TV shows such as Arrested Development, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmitt, and Gypsy
feature unprofessional therapists that don’t take their roles seriously. While it may be funny, it
doesn’t portray therapy accurately. The good news is that therapists in real life are professional
and competent.

In real life, a therapist is highly qualified to help you with various mental health concerns, such
as depression, anxiety, borderline personality disorder, autism, and ADHD, among others. Still,
it may be helpful to learn how to tell fact from fiction when it comes to therapy.

Fact or Fiction: therapists in real life vs. therapists in the media

Fiction: In movies and TV, therapists get overly involved and invested emotionally in
clients’ personal lives.
Fact: In real life, therapists will remain professional and won’t get overly involved in
your personal life –Therapy takes place in the therapy office or virtually via teletherapy
in scheduled sessions.

Fiction: In the media, therapists have intimate relationships with their clients. For
example, in the TV thriller Gypsy, the therapist adopts a fake identity and has
inappropriate relationships with her clients.
Fact: In real life, a romantic or sexual relationship between a therapist and a client is
unethical and strictly forbidden by the American Psychological Association’s code of
conduct. Rest assured, in real life, the relationship between a therapist and a client is a
professional one with boundaries.

Fiction: In TV and movies, therapists are unskilled and not qualified to do their jobs. For
example, Tobias Funke, a mental health professional from Arrested Development was
stripped of his license and went on to sell unproven supplements.
Fact: In real life, therapists spend many years in school, training, have graduate degrees,
and hold professional licenses to practice therapy. This ensures you are in good hands
with a knowledgeable and skilled mental health professional.

What is therapy in real life like?

In real-life, therapists are approachable, non-judgmental, trustworthy, and trained in a wide
variety of therapy types. Real-life therapy will be more than “How does that make you feel?”
Therapy will help you with a wide variety of mental health challenges, and you and your
therapist will work together to find solutions to whatever is troubling you.

Our therapists at Tate Psychotherapy practice a wide range of psychotherapy methods, such as
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectal Behavioral Therapy, Integrative therapy, and EMDR,
among others. Therapy will always be suited to your individual needs.

Benefits of starting therapy

– Reduction of symptoms
– Improved self-esteem
– Improved relationships
– Better social skills
– Lower anxiety and depression
– Learning coping skills to handle difficult emotions
– Gaining a better understanding of yourself

See a therapist in New York City today

If you are interested in beginning therapy, Tate Psychotherapy is here to help. We offer a broad
range of services, such as individual therapy for adults, children and adolescents, and family
therapy.

We offer in-person and telehealth services, making therapy convenient, safe, and comfortable.
We accept in-person appointments in New York City locations as well as provide telehealth services to clients in New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Connecticut, North Carolina, Florida, Texas, and Lousiana. Get started today: tatepsychotherapy.com/contact

Sources:

·  American Psychological Association. (n.d.). American Psychological Association (APA). American Psychological Association. Retrieved January 20, 2023, from https://www.apa.org/ 

·  Naftulin, J., & Biron, B. (2019, August 12). 16 fictional TV therapists, ranked from least to most likely to ruin their patients’ lives. Insider. Retrieved January 20, 2023, from https://www.businessinsider.com/the-best-and-worst-couples-on-tv-according-to-therapists-2020-1

·  Stringer, H. (2016, December). Therapy on camera. Monitor on Psychology. Retrieved January 20, 2023, from https://www.apa.org/monitor/2016/12/therapy-camera ·  U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (n.d.). Borderline personality disorder. National Institute of Mental Health. Retrieved January 21, 2023, from https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/borderline-personality-disorder