Friday07 February 2025
inbusinesskz.com

A heavy burden on the heart: Is the widespread fascination with psychology merely a trend or a reflection of modern society's issues?

Several key insights on how therapy works and how it doesn't.
На сердце тяжело: Увлечение психологией — это мода или отражение проблем современного общества?

Is the widespread fascination with psychology merely a trend or a reflection of our society's issues?

Photo: Shutterstock.

FOUR PERSONAL CONCLUSIONS

I remember when I first heard from a friend that she went to see a psychologist, I thought, "She's just being frivolous." Later, she went through a divorce, and surprisingly, she emerged from it feeling empowered and happy. Then another friend sought out a psychologist. And yet another.

I decided to go too. The specialist I found was one of the best in the city (at least, that’s what I was told). I left feeling like a complete fool and that all my problems were trivial. Conclusion one: even if a psychologist is considered a professional, it doesn’t guarantee they will be the right fit for you.

The second time I ventured into therapy was about six months later when my family relationships had deteriorated to the point where even my friends were tired of hearing me complain. At first, I thoroughly researched the psychologist's social media page and realized we shared a similar sense of humor and outlook on life. "What do you want?" she asked me directly. I paused and replied that I probably wanted to save my family. We worked together to ease the conflicts, I found it easier to breathe, and our relationships improved... But six months later, I got divorced and moved to another city. Conclusion two: our true desires don’t always align with what we express to the specialist, but admitting that at the beginning can be daunting.

For a "fresh start," my second psychologist turned out to be too expensive, so I began looking for more affordable options. I eventually parted ways with one because we became friends and ended up discussing books and men. Thus, my third conclusion: being friends with your psychologist is a waste of money.

With another specialist, I stopped working together after she told me "the right way" to handle my situation (good psychologists don’t provide ready-made answers, as what works for one person may not be suitable for another). Conclusion four: I want to decide for myself what to do. Sometimes, a psychologist is only needed to help you realize that. My experiments ended there. For now.

"ACHIEVEMENT" LEADS TO STRESS

- Over the past 30 years, people have become more anxious and emotionally strained due to the fast pace of life and unrealistic expectations of themselves: by 30, and some even by 20, they feel they must have completely established themselves in life, pushing themselves physically and mentally to the brink. "Achievement" leads to stress. It can be alleviated through physical activity: during movement, serotonin, or the "happiness hormone," is produced. However, elevators, cars, and electric scooters "rob" us of our ability to naturally reduce stress, - explains practicing psychologist Mikhail Khorс. - Instead, people "consume" more accessible and immediate dopamine, or the "pleasure hormone," through food, entertainment, pornography, and illicit substances. But here lies the problem: the more you consume, the stronger the addiction, and you need to increase the "dose." Without "doping," the world seems gray. And people start seeking emotional support.

The older generation often finds it within their families. Young people turn to psychologists. Surveys by VTsIOM have shown that over the past decade, the demand for psychological services has doubled, especially among young residents of large cities.

People have become more anxious and emotionally strained due to the pace of life and unrealistic expectations of themselves.

Photo: Ekaterina MARTINOVICH. Go to the Photo Bank KP

FAKE SPECIALISTS

Okay, let’s say. How do you find a good specialist? A year ago, I considered pursuing additional education in psychology and discovered that there are countless courses available nowadays. For an average of 70,000 to 100,000 rubles, you can complete a six-month program and receive a diploma. But will that qualification be sufficient to work with people?

- I know many individuals with substantial life experience who have undergone therapy, overcome difficulties, and genuinely want to help others. However, they don't have the time to study for 4-5 years in university, so they take courses. If they have enough experience and a supervisor (an experienced colleague who assists them), then why not, - believes Mikhail Khorс. - Such individuals will likely have much more experience than young graduates who receive their diplomas at 22-23 and start consulting.

There is another opinion.

- A psychologist is someone with a higher education diploma or a master's degree based on another higher education. Then there’s the possibility to retrain as a psychologist, taking into account life experience, but it’s crucial to learn correctly, - says psychologist Ksenia Duplenkova. - I would recommend being cautious with graduates of certain proprietary programs and unclear courses, as well as with psychologists who are numerologists, tarot readers, astrologers, and the like.

The question is pressing

Photo: Dmitry POLUKHIN. Go to the Photo Bank KP

PRICE LIST

In Moscow, the cost of one hour with a psychologist starts at 5,000 rubles.

In the regions, it starts from 3,500 rubles.