Never have we been so "seen." Psychology has reached an unprecedented level of popularity: mental health is spoken about in entertainment programs, in clothing brand advertisements, and clinical concepts like trauma, attachment, or diagnoses like ADHD and Autism have entered common vocabulary. However, the author identifies a central paradox: psychology has never been so sought after and, simultaneously, so misunderstood. Popularity brought with it side effects, such as the loss of precision of clinical concepts, which come to explain everything and, for that very reason, risk explaining little.
Two decades ago, admitting you were going to the psychologist required a justification that nobody asked the dentist for. Today, therapy has gained a naturalness comparable to that of going to the gym, which the author considers a victory won over decades of silent work. However, when clinical concepts leave the consulting room, they gain reach but lose nuance: a bad day can turn into "burnout," a passing sadness becomes a symptom to treat, and a disagreement can seem like "emotional abuse." The author warns that demystifying psychology should not mean making it similar to a conversation between friends.
The promise of speed that dominates today's society becomes treacherous when applied to psychological change. The author emphasizes that effectiveness is not the same as instantaneity, and that time in therapy is not a bureaucratic obstacle but often the very mechanism of change. Time is needed for patterns to become visible before they can change, for trust in the therapeutic relationship to consolidate, and for initial relief to transform into lasting change. Confusing relief with change is described as the most costly mistake in the profession.
The visibility that psychology has gained is presented as a legitimate revolt against decades of silence and shame, and many professionals who share knowledge publicly do so with genuine competence. However, the author includes herself in the reflection by admitting that the line between demystifying and performing is not always clear, and that an audience changes who speaks before them. The author concludes that the consulting room remains one of the few spaces designed deliberately for the opposite of what characterizes the outside world: not to be seen, but to be known, not to be quick, but to have the time that is needed. The reflection is written by a clinical psychologist and cofounder of the clinic O Teu Lugar, dedicated to Psychologist's Day.
