This pandemic has not only tested our physical health, but also our mental health. From having to work from home to not socialising enough, the transition wasn’t pretty for any of us. 

Most of us have rough ideas about what a therapy or counselling session may look like. 

But how accurate can this perception be, especially when we have to rely on movies and TV shows for it? 

As someone who has been to plenty of therapy sessions, I think I can vouch for the fact that a lot of these representations are inaccurate. 

Here’s what actually happens: 

1. Sessions Don’t Take Place In Public Settings 

© Red Chillies Entertainment

Remember the iconic ‘samundar se kabaddi’ scene from Dear Zindagi? While the movie got a lot of the things right, this particular scene can be misleading. Yes, some therapists can suggest taking sessions outside the office, but it’s a rare occurrence. More so, doing an activity together is even more rare.

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2. The Office Is Warm & Welcoming 

© Amazon Prime Video

The therapy scenes from The Family Man 2 showcase a setting that’s more like a doctor’s office and less like a therapist’s. The way the clients are sitting across from the doctor is very professional and opening up in a setting like that will be very uncomfortable.

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Most psychologists will have a warm and homely environment in their office. Some shows and movies that get the setting right are 13 Reasons Why, Never Have I Ever and Dear Zindagi. The clients are seen sitting comfortably on a sofa, not stiffly on an office chair. 

3. You May Not Always Smile After A Session

© Red Chillies Entertainment

Dear Zindagi romanticised the idea of mental health in some ways. For instance, Alia Bhatt’s character walked out feeling happy and content after every session. In real life, that may not always happen. 

Sometimes you’re confused, other times you’re sad. Sometimes you are frustrated and other times you may even have some homework to do.

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Movie scenes may set an unrealistic standard for what to expect. Just because you don’t feel happy after a session, doesn’t mean that therapy isn’t working. It simply means that you had different expectations, all thanks to movies and shows. 

4. Limited Time Sessions 

© Amazon Prime Video

Most depictions show therapy sessions as an hour long affair. While that is mostly the case, the timings are flexible. If you want a session that’s longer than an hour, you can consult your therapist or counsellor. 

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Some may be open to sessions that are 2 hrs long, while some others stop at 1.5 hrs. The truth is that it completely depends on the psychologist and your own preference. 

5. Being Pressured Into Talking About Things

© Red Chillies Entertainment

In reference to The Family Man 2, it was obvious that Manoj Bajpayee’s character wasn’t open to therapy and clearly was uncomfortable diving into some private topics. This may have been a funny scene, but was far from being accurate. 

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The first session is mostly about trust building and most therapists will not pressure you into opening up right away. If you are uncomfortable, they will probably help you be more comfortable, and not keep drilling you with the same questions.

The Bottomline 

Even though we are grateful that mental health is being depicted in mainstream media, we still have a long way to go. We barely have a few movies and shows that are showing mental health in a realistic light.

However, these depictions aren’t always accurate. Let’s not forget how important a storyline is and sometimes, the accuracy is compromised to make the scene funny or more entertaining. 

In conclusion, ask around and talk to real professionals to get an idea of what mental health truly is, especially if you’re considering seeking professional help. 

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