> I've never ever thought about needing a therapist.
Most people don’t need a therapist. But unfortunately, most people need someone empathic they can talk to and who understands them. Modern life is very short on this sort of people, so therapists have to do.
I disagree. Most people will go through a time in their life where they could benefit from a therapist--maybe to cope with bullying in high school--perhaps to mentally and emotionally process a terminal illness or the loss of a spouse or child.
And then some people will benefit from just having someone to talk to about the stresses of daily life. I don't think that means they have an inadequate social network or that it reflects poorly on modern society. We should be happy to live in a time where we have the resources and ability to proactively care for our mental health just as we do our teeth.
I think this is it. Therapists aren't so much curing a past trauma or treating a mental issue; they're fulfilling an ongoing need that isn't being met elsewhere.
I do think it can be harmful, because it's a confidant you're paying $300/hour to pretend to care about you. But perhaps it's better than the alternative.
Most people don’t need a therapist. But unfortunately, most people need someone empathic they can talk to and who understands them. Modern life is very short on this sort of people, so therapists have to do.