> Therapists told me that correcting misused therapy-speak can be difficult because many people’s conception of a counselor is, essentially, that they’re a nice person whom you pay to co-sign your grievances. “I think a lot of therapists are shy about challenging too much,” Hartz said. Some of the therapists I spoke with push back on their clients anyway. DiNardo told me that she says something like this: “Okay, cool, you’ve got this word; you’re using it. It’s two years later. Do you feel any better?”

[Hartz is a clinical-psychology professor, DiNardo is a therapist. Both in America.]

I'd say this is the biggest problem with therapy - its typical business model and incentives. Clients are often more interested in attention and validation than in actually getting better. Therapists are paid by the hour.

Which is not to say that pushing back on clients carries only financial risks for therapists. It might only take one turning really vengeful or violent to make you question your career choice.

I'm getting a 404 for some reason. This one seems to work: https://www.theatlantic.com/family/2025/12/therapy-speak-the...