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DIRECTOR'S CUT: What TV Shows Get Wrong (and Right!) About Therapy (Patreon)

Published:
2023-11-13 16:00:07
Imported:
2026-06
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Content

What makes a good therapist? Do you agree with Jonathan’s rankings?

Licensed therapist Jonathan Decker and filmmaker Alan Seawright are ranking TV therapists according to their effectiveness and sound therapy techniques, in Jonathan’s opinion. The contenders are Dr. Fieldstone from Ted Lasso, Dr. Kinbott from Wednesday, Dr. Raynor from The Falcon and The Winter Soldier, Dr. Frome from New Amsterdam, and Drs. Crane and Tewksbury from Frasier. Jonathan talks about the heart and human connection in a good therapist, and Alan explains why that also makes a good storyteller. And they answer a question from a Patron about finding the right therapist for you.

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Comments

Josh Jones

jono will love shrinking

Michael Emerson

If you do this again please talk about the Hey Arnold episode Helga on the Couch!

E Noonan

The aggravating thing about the fact that the writers have all these degrees is that they still don't know that it is "If I HAD known, may something would have been different". Great episode! I love Dr. Frome.

Imogen Heiden

Dr Lance Sweets and Dr Gorden Wyatt (Stephen Fry) from Bones and Dr Linda Martin from Lucifer would be interessting as well

Deb

When I was therapist shopping, I had an initial appointment with a therapist who was hard of hearing. She had a hearing aid connected to a microphone so she could hear everything the patient said - that wasn't a problem. She seemed like her therapy style would have been a good fit too - at least the part I heard. As a writer, I was absolutely consumed with why someone hard of hearing chose a career whose main skill is listening. I wanted so badly to analyze her that I knew I wouldn't settle into her understanding me. I'm not a therapist, just intensely curious about what and how people tick.

Larry Garfield

Hm. New supporter here. How can I cast this to a TV? I don't see a Chromecast button in the Patreon app, and it's not a link to an unlisted YouTube video like the other Patreons I follow. Is it only viewable on a computer?

Traci Koehler

I would love to see Jono's idea about the therapist in The West Wing. He does therapy twice: once for trauma for Josh and once for President Bartlett.

Megan Rizzo

I love it! I'm almost done with hours for my PLPC and I would say I agree with you on most of them. With Wednesday being so resistant I don't think I would have gone so deep so fast especially not trying to bring up her mom. Maybe some coloring or a game to build rapport.

Holly MP

Leonard's mom from the Big Bang Theory.

Nova Villmark

About finding a good therapist - absolutely! My first therapist - I kinda needed an older father figure to help me. I have cPTSD and major depressive disorder - this last round of therapy I decided I wanted somebody my age and gender who understood addiction because I was in a suicidal grief about losing my marriage to addiction and all that brought up to me. I didn't want to hear the same BS I'd hear and I didn't want to defend my ex husband. I wanted somebody that really understood. I found a counselor with personal experience and professional expertise in those, as well as somebody skilled in PTSD/MDD. We hit it off right away relationship-wise. She went on maternal leave and I had a temp... she had similar skill-sets but I just didn't connect with her. I needed somebody a little darker, and sarcastic. Hearing things like "look, there's good in the world" from somebody else who's kinda "dark" is a reminder of goodness. Hearing "look there's good in the world" from an sunny optimist makes you feel like you're a total POS for taking your great life for granted. Same words fall differently if the connection isn't there.

Schmoopsie-Poo + Googly-Bear

I have several to recommend! Dr. Paul Weston (Gabriel Byrne) from In Treatment. Frankly, you could do an entire episode just on that one show! It’s literally ALL therapy sessions! Also, Dr. Noelle Akopian (Michael Hyatt) and/or Dr. Daniel Shin (Jay Hayden) from Crazy Ex Girlfriend. Maybe the Doctor from Penny Dreadful, Dr. Seward who was a “psychiatrist” before or early on in that field. You also have Dr. Linda Freeman (Jane Lynch) from Two and a Half Men. Not to mention, Dr. Trevor (Rainn Wilson) from Mom. Dr. Joan (Diane Wiest) from Life in Pieces would be fun too! Dr. Molly Clock (Heather Graham) from Scrubs is great! Or Lester Hedrick (Dave Foley) who was the Grief Counselor in a couple great episodes! TV wise, that’s all I’ve got. A few ideas for movies: You could do Dr. Ben Sobel (Billy Crystal) from Analyze This/Analyze That. Or Dr. Buddy Rydell (Jack Nicholson) from Anger Management. Possibly, Dr. Berger (Judd Hirsch) from Ordinary People would be great! Actually, that would be a fantastic movie to do an entire episode on due to its subject and the prominence of therapy. Just some ideas. Hopefully that can help! I can always add more! Thank you both!

Izzie Lanes

Jono often says that a good therapist doesn't tell you what to do, but what about strongly advising against what you want to do or offering you advice on how to approach a situation in a way you've never tried before? I feel like sometimes it's good to guide people away from their own problematic/ unproductive behaviors. So I guess I'm asking, what's the line between that and just telling your client what to do?

2eTherapyJamie

I am one of the CMHC viewers, and I watched this episode right after Carl Roger’s interview with Gloria for one of my classes. I feel like Jono nailed all of them, but the conversation surrounding the therapist from Ted Lasso really stood out to me. She is a great representation of person-centered therapy with strong boundaries/being provided by someone from a non-dominant group in a professional setting. I don’t know much about therapists who are hired by an employer for specific populations like that, but it seems like she is the perfect combination of strong and empathetic as a foil for Ted who presents those same qualities in the opposite way. Considering how Roy and Jamie are portrayed, it seems like the show has a strong undercurrent of showing how different people demonstrate strength in various ways while they learn how to be more open and vulnerable in a high-stress, professional environment. That may seem obvious, but I think it’s easy to forget that the team is a job too which complicates those relationships.

Emily Snell-Salvaggio

I'm glad Jono got an introduction to Shrinking! Would love to see an episode about that show at some point in the future. I agree with the above recommendation about the therapists from Bones and Lucifer for a future sequel to this kind of episode. Both popular shows with some good content. Gotta say though, the therapy in Ted Lasso is still 10/10 imo.

Abigail Voss

Jono!! PLEASE watch Skrinking and review it, I subscribed to the Patreon with the purpose of seeing you review the show. It’s so smart and it’s got a lot of Ted Lasso wit/empathy.

Saidanmaster

It was already mentioned but I second the recommendation for Linda Martin from Lucifer. That whole show would honestly be really interesting to look at.

Angie

Specifically regarding Ted and the therapist not correcting him about the intent he assigned to his father's action -- he needs to be heard and work through his feelings about it without judgment. What he said, and the way he said it, sounds like a child/adolescent in a great deal of pain who's unable to see the father's POV -- he's in a trauma loop. It's not helpful to be corrected at that time.

Angie

Re: shop around for a therapist How can I do this without having to drag out my entire history every single time? I stay with (physical health) doctors I don't particularly like because it's so much work to establish care, and I can muddle through with WebMD and the gifted kid/ADHD art of picking up enough knowledge to at least know when I need to get better help. I feel like it's 2000% harder to shop for a mental health specialist, though, between insurance coverage and availability of providers (this is a big one). I love chatting and I'm pretty trauma-blind about my childhood at this point so it's not that it bothers me -- it's that my trauma makes me prefer stability and reject change and uncertainty and unfortunately that's what I need to work on and it's also a road block to care 🙃 And also, it's just a lot of talking to unpack 30+ years and it's annoying to repeat it over and over.

Lynettra

this was great! i absolutely hope they do more of this. would love to see Jono's take on In Treatment (both Gabriel Byrne and Uzo Aduba) and Sopranos Dr. Melfi

DrEEsky

Just for giggles it would be fun to see you react to the therapy scenes with Jane Lynch as the therapist with Charlie Harper on Two and a half Men. Those were some of the funniest moments bar none on that show! Jane Lynch is a comedy gold mine and I loved her therapist portrayal.

Sean Sussex

I can't believe they skipped the therapist from You season 3. Also Lucifer, the show is essentially about therapy.

Red MafiaPanda

I would love their take on Zuko's psychology from Avatar the Last Airbender that or the island scene where Aang talks to his past lives for guidence

YashaShiva

I found mine, through well visiting like 6-7 therapists before choosing. And then I just went to the one I found most suitable took like half a year. Don't regret it. I made the mistake of taking the first one... like twice. never again. Waste of time. xD Also for another great therapist...more like a first responder/ in-the-moment therapist... Sgt. Gregory Parker from Flashpoint. So many episodes so many talks to choose from. Never can go wrong there. Have a great week!

Lacey Buckingham

I really appreciated this video as a clinician and was a good affirmation that we get to be human. It's a nice reminder that part of what we bring to the table is our humanity and personality. Side note: It would be wonderful to see more queer representation on the show. Not just the L and G, but also BTQ+

Brynn Bailey

You are all so damn good and are doing so much for people that you may or may not ever know. I know for certain I’m not the only one.

Kate Larson

You should talk about the therapist from Pretty Little Liars! She does some interesting things that it would be amazing to hear your thoughts on!

Nanala Jean-Baptiste

Please watch Daily Dose of Sunshine. I doubt you'll be able to do a video on it but. It's a Korean Drama about a nurse the works and a psychiatric unit and because of unfortunate circumstances ended up there herself, and her journey through healing. They go over a lot of stuff. I loved it. I had to go to a psychiatric unit myself. I would say personally. Most accurate representation of what it's like. But I bet you guys would like it.

Sharon aka Pocozy

I'm a little biased but Dr. Sharon is my favorite. 😊😊

Brandon Payne

So there is another episode of New Amsterdam that I think you two would be interested in, it explores psycopathy in a child. Basically, a little girl named Juliet strangled her little brother and the parents are covering for her. When the truth comes out, Dr. Frome has a session with her and it doesn't really go so well. I'd like to get Jonos thoughts on the technique and methods.

Sara Couture

The intro XD I also have a Master's degree and my friends (who all have PhDs) will occasionally jokingly call me "Mistress Couture" which definitely feels like a dominatrix name.

Lauren Spaeth

Another TV therapist you guys should look at is Linda from Lucifer.

Heather George

The therapist from the Marvel clip reminded me more of a Principal than a Therapist. I have not had a chance to see Wednesday, (I can't wait, it looks so good and right up my alley.) From the clip, I don't get how you two see her as genuinely being herself, a nice person. I don't know if it is the music choice or the fact that I am a goth and identify with Wednesday, but that therapist SCREAMS, DANGER. Wednesday will stab you, but to be fair she told she would. That therapist is a red flag. She is the kind that would stab you or stab you in the back (figuratively), then rationalize it, because she is a good person. I will watch the show and get back to you.

Jennifer

re: Falcon and Winter Soldier--iirc, the therapist is prior military like the guys, and she came across to me (a female retiree) as a real person with that background. There's a way that a lot of vets speak to each other that is different than how we speak to civilians; it's far more direct and can come across as soulless/harsh, but to most of us it feels refreshingly honest. And even if I'm wrong in my memory that she's a retiree, I'd say the vast majority of folks who work at the VA have that same bluntness/sarcasm/world-weariness because they have learned that's how they can best earn the trust of their patient population. They very much care about what they do--no one is getting rich and it ain't easy to work for the government or with us retirees--but it may not look like it to someone outside the culture. Not discounting your take, just adding another perspective. And I know this is a super late comment; just rejoined your patreon and am catching up ;)

Ames Freer

I think you guys should do a whole episode about shrinking!

Ames Freer

As a fellow therapist, I really wanted to hear you talk about the bad therapy examples and major ethical red flags that we see on tv/movies that don’t get called out within the narrative…like on Ted Lasso, how his ex wife’s individual therapist became their couples therapist, made couples therapy all about how Ted was screwing up, and then started a romantic relationship with her, and on the show all that was said about that is that it was “borderline unethical” and I am still flabbergasted because that’s such a gross understatement lol

Heavy Boots Counseling

These are definitely some of the better therapists. Except Fraiser, he's awful 95% of the time. But I say that as a therapist like Jono who is not here to be "the expert", I'm here because I have natural skill at connecting with pretty much anybody. The clients I have that work with know we can talk about their favorite video games, no problem, and we can talk about their trauma, all in the same session. I sit in the muck and I play in the light, and I'm so grateful to be there either way, and that doesn't work for everyone. I know some folks want CBT tools, problem solving, and to get out the door. Y'all should add the therapist from "Atypical". I hate her with a passion PERHAPS matched by your disdain for Twilight. She should not work with teens, neurodivergent folks, or probably anyone. Straight in the garbage for me.

Patricia Greene

As a side note, as someone who struggles with suicidality, thank you for pointing out that suicide can come from a sincere, albeit misguided, belief that you are acting in everybody's best interest. I don't think people understand that.

Amelie W

I'm still hoping that Shrinking episode will happen. Having watched the show, I'm sure Jimmy does so much staggeringly bad therapy (and ethics in general), but then there's also good outcomes - should be a quite complex and nuanced show to study.

Angela D. Mitchell

I'm late to the party but since I just joined Patreon after years of YouTube and Reddit participation, woo-hoo! I'm diving in even if nobody sees it. Great picks from Alan here. Jono, I so agree on Dr. Sharon on "Ted Lasso." (And oh my God, I missed her so much in the awful season 3). She is so warm but always professional -- she has that slight clinical distance but I absolutely feel she cares deeply. Oh, that Frasier clip! One of the best episodes and moments from a brilliant show. The writing and acting in that scene all come together for such a devastating and emotional moment of self-awareness. It's heartbreaking. And absolutely true to the character we get to know across a decade, who rarely ever seems to grow (and I would argue that still hasn't in the finale, honestly). The episode dares to reveal Frasier's flaws as a person -- and as a therapist all in one scene. So brilliantly done. I do disagree on the "Wednesday" shrink, although I also admit I didn't love the show and only watched one season. But I feel like Valerie the therapist is not shot "straight on," to indicate straightness, but that it's so close it's almost distorted. It gives the impression that something is off. I agree that she says most of the right things there. But the way it's played, it comes across as completely inauthentic to me. Even her referring to Wednesday's books -- were these shared with her appropriately? I can't remember. It feels invasive. I wasn't able to get into "Shrinking" and really disliked the man-child main character, but people have said I should give it another chance. This clip does present a better side of him than I saw in the first few episodes. Thank you for a beautiful discussion and assortment of moments! Looking forward to the next installment. SUGGESTIONS for future TV shrinks to discuss if you ever revisit further: Dr. Melfi on "The Sopranos, Dr. Paul Weston on "In Treatment" (he is a fantastic therapist but a terrible patient!), Dr. Sidney Freedman from "MASH," or Dr. Rosso from "Freaks and Geeks." There are scenes from "In Treatment" that will live in my brain forever because of their power. The most moving for me is Paul's breakthrough moment with John Mahoney ("Walter," Season 2, Episode 29). Any scene with Dr. Rosso with the kids on "Freaks and Geeks" is wonderful. As far as "MASH," it has to be the finale revelation with Hawkeye and the Doctor. With Dr. Melfi, maybe the scene in pilot episode where Tony breaks down about the ducks? (For comedy you might also include Tobias Funque from "Arrested Development.") And happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!