Shobana Jayaraman

Statutory Warning: This movie is not a substitute for therapeutic support. There Is potential for harm if it is viewed as a therapeutic premise. As a practicing psychotherapist, I was horrified by the portrayal of therapy and the therapist in this movie. The professional representation is entirely problematic. Had the protagonist Mitra played out the role of a beloved older ‘Aunt Agony’, the harm factor would have been toned down several notches. Making the viewing a bit less scary for a therapist who is thinking about the impact of this movie on the belief system of the viewer. Any therapist will be mindful of their every word/statement they utter, carefully considering the impact of it on their client. The principle of non-maleficence (no harm) is held by the therapist both implicitly and explicitly. This principle declares that it is the psychotherapist's responsibility to prevent even inadvertent harm or injury resulting from inattention or well-meaning actions. Harm or injury can be either emotional or physical or both. For e.g: Confidently passing on one's own assumption as if it were the only truth - “when somebody is angry give them 60 days to feel that… don’t intervene… they will come back feeling better” - I was so horrified when I heard that. Hey you woke-gen, this here is a classic trait of toxic aunts and uncles. Potential for psychological harm in the movie… Harm of re-traumatisation. Harm caused by validating limiting beliefs by a potent other. Harm caused by invalidating client’s agency to think for themselves. Harm caused by therapist’s assumptions of the client’s reality. Harm caused by the therapist’s assumption of the ‘right thing to do’ for someone they’ve just met. Harm caused by breaching confidentiality Harm caused by casual and inappropriate self disclosure… (This is not a exhaustive list) I felt disappointed and betrayed by the movie’s portrayal. Like its characters, the movie too cloyingly hankers after an ‘all is well in the end’ ending, thereby reinforcing toxic positivity to attain this goal. I fail to understand why it is so hard to be authentic in the representation of real roles. I refuse to believe that this is an outcome of poor research. People are in therapy and making deep rooted changes. It takes so much courage to be in therapy and do the work. It is not ok to portray people in therapy as ‘dudhies’ (nincompoops). There are wonderful therapists right here in our land to consult with. Please do your research because it is your responsibility when you have the power to impact so many people. @jayaraman.shobana