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There were similar issues with unethical therapists in Ted Lasso. While it’s not done in the same way, there are still a few unethical therapist-patient interactions (spoiler left below). Since both shows are Apple TV, I was joking that this is just a theme for AppleTV shows.
It IS possible to have ethical therapist-patient scenes that are also interesting, so maybe it’s just easier for most shows to play it up.
I think with Shrinking, the characters are not perfect role models, but they’re actively trying to improve and get better. They also don’t share a lot of the usual issues with male characters. Overall I agree with you though.
Spoiler Ted Lasso
How the former marriage counsellor starts dating Ted’s ex-wife and eventually gets married to her. That’s so unethical that I can’t think of the other examples right now.
The fact that the situation you mention in the spoiler is acknowledged in the show to be problematic from both a professional and personal perspective is dealt with in the show, iirc. It’s something Ted needs to come to grips with, and is in no small part related to his internal troubles. It’s not played for laughs or character development, and to the extent that the therapist wasn’t reported or sanctioned it is unfortunate but realistic.
I agree completely about the therapists in Ted Lasso, but they weren’t the main characters in the story, so it didn’t bother me so much.