The United States is currently experiencing a surge of unconventional beliefs as individuals who are dissatisfied with reality turn to pseudoscientific concepts for solace. This perspective may be the reaction of a skeptic who values scientific inquiry, in response to the recent media attention given to people seeking tarot cards, astrology, and psychic readings as potential substitutes or complements to traditional psychotherapy.
Some psychotherapists adopt or at least do not discourage unconventional practices as part of their therapy. California psychologist Charlynn Ruan, for instance, mentioned to Yar that she does not actively teach these practices but allows patients to bring them into the therapy room.
According to journalist Christine Smallwood's article in The New Yorker, there is a notable surge in the popularity of astrology, particularly among millennials. Smallwood suggests that this shift began with the rise of personal computers, gained momentum with the advent of the internet, and has now reached unprecedented levels due to the influence of social media. The financial crisis of 2008 and the election of Donald Trump may have also played a role in fostering this trend.
Unlike traditional therapy, which can involve months or even years of exploring the underlying causes of symptoms, astrology promises quicker answers.
Smallwood remarks that astrology has permeated our collective vocabulary in a similar manner to how psychoanalysis once did. While mid-century conversations might have revolved around concepts like id, ego, and superego, it is now common to hear individuals describing themselves through their sun, moon, and rising signs.
In an article for Cosmopolitan, writer Gina Tomaine shares her experience of seeking guidance from a social worker who also conducts tarot readings when she was feeling emotionally unsettled. Tomaine explains that tarot cards have long been associated with psychological applications. Renowned psychoanalyst Carl Jung suggested that the cards serve as a convenient representation of universal human traits, or archetypes, such as strength, ambition, and passion. This connection to psychology makes tarot cards valuable tools for therapy and mental well-being.
The accepting attitude of patients and psychotherapists towards pseudoscience may be disconcerting to skeptics, but it's worth noting that several prominent mind-scientists have shown tolerance towards occult practices. Carl Jung, as mentioned earlier, is one such example. Jerome Frank, a professor of psychiatry at Johns Hopkins and a pioneer in psychotherapy research, is another.
Through his research, Frank arrived at the conclusion that the particular theoretical framework of a therapy holds minimal significance in determining its effectiveness. Instead, what matters most is the therapist's skill in eliciting the placebo effect by instilling confidence in patients that they will experience improvement. Frank noted that while numerous patients respond positively to therapists and therapies backed by scientific credentials, there are those who may favor the assistance of a faith healer, witchdoctor, or shaman over that of a psychiatrist educated at Harvard. In his influential book published in 1961, "Persuasion and Healing: A Comparative Study of Psychotherapy," Frank further expounded on this perspective.
Over the past five decades, researchers have made significant advancements in understanding the brain, mind, and mental disorders. Psychologists and psychiatrists have introduced a wide array of treatments for addressing mental distress, including cognitive-behavioral therapy and SSRIs, which are widely prescribed antidepressants. Nevertheless, studies suggest that these treatments, despite being positioned as scientifically based, primarily derive their effectiveness from the placebo effect.