I'm a psychologist, and I'll be honest-I don't fully agree with how traditional psychology is taught or practiced. They train us in a handful of techniques and expect us to apply them to over 8 billion unique people, as if we're all the same. But we're not. I believe the system isn't truly set up to help us heal; instead, it often keeps us stressed, busy, and distracted from seeing the bigger picture. It's a way to maintain control, and many of us feel it every day.

r/CriticalTherapy, an anti-capitalist self-help group that believes healing is more than just an individual journey—it’s about understanding and challenging the systems that affect us all. If you’re here, it’s probably because you feel that mainstream approaches to mental health and self-care don’t tell the whole story. Here, we explore the deeper layers of our struggles, recognizing that personal challenges are often tied to the social and economic structures around us.

What This Subreddit Is All About

In r/CriticalTherapy, we’re looking beyond the typical self-help tips. We believe that:

1. Capitalism and Individualism Affect Our Well-Being
   The constant pressure to "hustle," be productive, and prove our worth can make it hard to take care of our mental health. Here, we question those pressures and explore what it means to prioritize human needs over profit.

2. Every Problem Deserves Respect
   No matter how big or small, every issue matters. We don’t believe in dismissing someone’s pain as “not a big deal.” Here, we listen without judgment, recognizing that people’s struggles are always valid and deserve understanding.

3. Healing Requires Solidarity, Not Just Self-Improvement
   We don’t see healing as something that can be done in isolation. Instead, it’s about building community and supporting each other. We’re here to explore what collective care looks like and how we can create spaces where everyone feels seen and valued.

4. There’s No Shame in Asking Questions
   Whether you’re dealing with work stress, family pressures, mental health struggles, or just the weight of living in a high-demand society, this space is for asking the big questions and challenging the status quo. We’re here to discuss, reflect, and grow together.

What You’ll Find Here

If you’re following this subreddit, here’s what you can expect:

• Insightful Discussions on the connections between mental health and larger societal issues.
• Support and Solidarity from a community that understands the pressures of living in a system that often values productivity over well-being.
• Practical Advice and Reflections for finding meaning and self-compassion beyond the typical self-help narratives.
• Stories and Shared Experiences where we get real about the struggles we face and the resilience we build.

Let’s Begin

If any of this resonates with you, you’re in the right place. This is a space for honest conversations, for finding understanding in a world that often encourages us to “just deal with it.” So whether you’re feeling burnt out, questioning the pressures society puts on you, or just seeking a different perspective, r/CriticalTherapy is here to support you.

Let’s come together, share our stories, and help each other find ways to thrive that aren’t about following society’s narrow definitions of success. Thanks for being here, and I can’t wait to see how this community grows.

If you’re comfortable, feel free to introduce yourself or share what brought you to r/CriticalTherapy. Let’s make this a place where everyone feels heard.

Welcome aboard!