Psychotherapy is cognitive treatment done through psychological methods rather than medical ones.

Being prompted to access your knowledge on therapy, you may think of a man or woman jotting down notes as you recall past memories, presumably on a reclined couch. This is a hyponym, known as psychoanalysis, which is among a variety of different branches within the overarching field of psychotherapy; it was created by Sigmund Freud in the late 1800’s and was popular with the next century. Since then, major advancements in science have left Freud as a memorable pioneer but in general an outdated one.

The stigma on mental illness, like most discrimination, comes from the fear of the unknown and the Other. Most Americans with mental illnesses, two-thirds, do not seek treatment out of fear of being maltreated. So while the sick struggle with symptoms of their disorder, prejudice then furthers the challenges they face by isolating the person from the ones around him, including family and friends.

Serves them right. I mean, they’re weak. You can see it in their eyes. There’s no such thing as mental illnesses. They’re just inferior.

There is a belief that therapy is for the crazy or damaged. While it may be true that those with mental illnesses will benefit at a higher pace and to a greater magnitude, it is my firm conviction that a culture with high regard for psychotherapy, thus implementing it to its fullest extents will prosper immeasurably.

To do this, however, necessitates a want for mass treatment and a large enough supply—that is, an industry—to meet that demand. This seeming behemoth of a task will take an indefinite amount of years or decades and etcetera, but our culture would emerge as a happier and healthier society.

Logistically it may not seem possible now; psychotherapy can be very expensive. But in the future—should a generation want it—the price of a regular check-in would be very affordable, thanks to competition in the market. Ideally, mental health should be covered or taught under public education. Why is it that we value academics and physical education before the capacity to maintain comfort and wellbeing?

The problem is our philosophy as a nation. Even dismissing the stigma, the glorification of therapy is quite a counterculture to the glamour of social networking. Nowadays people are pressured to stay connected and to stay happy. Your friends don’t want to see negative posts, and you don’t want to be that vulnerable—after all, everyone else shows their good, not their bad.

Hopefully despite the abstract challenge of changing a whole belief, a rise in psychotherapy will be catalyzed by a logical and natural progression of thought.