Legitimate neurofeedback is a training modality that stabilizes and optimizes brain function; it does not "cure" anything. A major red flag for an unethical practitioner is the use of this language. Authentic experts have backgrounds in psychology or medicine and are often BCIA certified.

A core assumption of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is that problems like depression or anxiety arise because individuals haven't learned the necessary skills to manage emotions or navigate relationships. The treatment is therefore focused on explicitly teaching these presumed-missing skills.

While "common factors" like empathy and validation are a crucial foundation for therapy, they are often not enough to treat moderate to severe mental health problems. These conditions require structured, evidence-based tools beyond simply having a supportive person to talk to.

You cannot think your way out of perfectionism with worksheets or intellectual exercises. Recovery is like learning to ride a bike: it requires a safe, experiential process. The therapeutic relationship provides a space to practice vulnerability and build a new, healthier way of relating to oneself, which information alone cannot achieve.

A psychologist agrees with Scott Galloway's critique of the therapy industry, highlighting that structural issues like poverty are key drivers of mental distress, and that not all therapy is accessible or ethical. This counters the simplistic social media backlash against his views.

Contrary to the idea that all therapy is bespoke, highly effective "manualized" treatments exist with standardized protocols for issues like depression. However, most therapy consumers are unaware of this and don't know to ask for a specific, evidence-based approach from their provider.

The "more tools, the better" mindset fails in therapy because different modalities have incompatible philosophies. A therapist mixing these approaches cannot provide a consistent worldview, making it difficult for clients to achieve deep, comprehensive change.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) has core components that distinguish it from general talk therapy. Two key indicators that a therapist is genuinely practicing CBT are the assignment of homework between sessions and a consistent focus on a pre-defined, shared goal.

The term "depression" is a misleading catch-all. Two people diagnosed with it can have completely opposite symptoms, such as oversleeping versus insomnia or overeating versus appetite loss. These are not points on a spectrum but discrete experiences, and lumping them together hinders effective, personalized treatment.