One of the things I find fascinating about psychology is that it’s a field riddled with controversy.
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| That goose is skeptical, but open to what sticks. |
The definition of psychology is that it is the scientific study of the human mind and its functions, especially those affecting behaviour in a given context.
However, when you don’t have universal agreement on the definition of basic terms like normal and healthy, then you’re going to have a lot of fights over what’s proper.
As psychology is constantly evolving, there are a lot of discredited theories. That’s okay because we’re all learning. (Go to the end of the article for a short list. Freud is on it!)
To make it more complicated, there are con artists working in the mental health field. But here's the good news: Spotting them is easier than you think, and choosing real help can be a game-changer.
Mental health attracts con artists for many reasons, including:
Scared=Easy Target: Desperate people don’t think clearly so they are easy to fool. But flip that: A calm, qualified chat can turn desperation into direction. I've seen it flip lives in one session.$$$ Fast Money: Desperate people will part with money quickly, hoping that paying over hard earned cash will magically help them find a ‘fix’. The upside? Evidence-based therapy delivers real, lasting value without the empty promises.Power Opportunity: It’s easy to influence frightened people. Cons and nuts find that being The Guru is an easy way to power. Yet, true empowerment comes from a therapist who guides you to your own strength; not theirs.
Many of the con artists here in Malaysia call themselves ‘Dr’, talk a lot about the unconscious, and the really cheeky ones run urine and blood tests - all at extortionate prices. (Eye-roll worthy, right?)
I’ve blogged before about how to avoid mental health con artists. Today I’m focusing on a sensible question I’ve been asked, “If it’s quackery, why is it working for me?”
The answer isn’t a simple one but here are some points to consider.
#1 How much time do you spend on your mental health?
If the answer is, “Erm.... dunno. Minutes a month.” then you have to consider that spending a whole hour every week on identifying your issues is helpful all by itself.
Sometimes, all you need is to focus on what’s up and you can find the solution for yourself.
#2 Being upset means you don’t think straight
For most of us, thinking about a problem goes like, “Why am I feeling so bad? This sucks. I hate this.” And on and on and on for hours.
This is not helpful.
Sometimes just sitting down with a person who can help you focus on unraveling your thoughts is enough to clear the fog. The relief? Game-changing. Clients often close at the end of our first session saying, 'Wait, I can breathe again.'
#3 Empathy goes a long way
When I said earlier that psychology is full of controversy, Freud springs to mind. Some of his theories were absolutely bonkers, yet he nailed the empathy bit.
If you read his books and papers, it’s very easy to see why he was effective: he was genuinely interested in people and he was a thoughtful man.
Sometimes, just having an understanding ear is enough to help.
This of course begs another question: “So if I see a quack who has good intentions, an empathetic attitude, and I’m willing to spend the time, what’s the problem?
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| A wacko quack can cause real damage |
Just this: a wacko quack can cause real damage.
Think about it in terms of fixing a car. If you see blue smoke coming out of the engine, you can take it to a cowboy mechanic and one of two things happens: you strike lucky and it’s fixed, or you pay your money and end up with a vehicle that blows up. The good news? With a certified mechanic (ahem, therapist), it's more like a smooth upgrade to a turbo engine—no explosions, just reliable power.
It’s the same with mental health.
So, steer clear of the quacks. But here's the exciting part: Armed with this info, you're already ahead. Ready to trade fog for focus? Your mental health is too important to gamble on. Let's build something solid instead.
As a qualified psychotherapist with a BSc (Hons) in Psychology and a Master's in Counselling with Distinction, I provide evidence-based therapy that's grounded in science and tailored to your needs—without the risks of unproven methods.
If you're ready for safe, effective support to navigate your mental health challenges, message me today via email ellen.whyte@gmail.com or WhatsApp: +44 7514 408143 for your free 15-minute consultation. Let's work together to clear the fog and build lasting clarity.
PS If you’re curious why pseudoscience is increasingly popular, check out Prof Patrick Grim who's one my favourites, or throw the terms pseudoscience into Amazon to see a list of current publications. It’s an awesome field, and worth taking a look at.
Curious what psychological theories are considered nonsense by insiders? Here’s a paper you’ll love. (Skip straight to page 518 for the full list.) For a quick nerd bonus, top pseudosciences include:
o Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) for treatment of mental/behavioral disorders
o Freudian dream analysis for treatment of mental/behavioral disorders
o Rage reduction therapy for depression
