The concept of couples therapy has found its way into popular media, offering audiences glimpses into the complexities of intimate relationships and the therapeutic process. From documentary-style television series that aim to portray the authentic work of therapy to fictional narratives that dramatize relationship struggles, these on-screen depictions shape public understanding and expectations. Examining these portrayals reveals the different ways
media chooses to engage with the sensitive and often private world of couples counseling.
Documenting Real Therapy: The 2019 Series
The Showtime series "Couples Therapy," which premiered in 2019, offers a unique look into real therapy sessions under the guidance of Dr. Orna Guralnik. The producers and Dr. Guralnik aimed to showcase the deep work involved in actual therapy, deliberately avoiding dramatization for entertainment. Each season follows three to four couples through a 20-week therapy program, with one-hour sessions recorded and edited into nine episodes. The series is filmed in New York, utilizing many cameras hidden behind a one-way mirror that surrounds the therapy room, creating an unobtrusive filming environment.
Strict rules govern the production, including a prohibition on in-depth discussions about children, as children cannot provide consent for their lives to be discussed on television. Couples have no contact with crew members, interacting solely with Dr. Guralnik, who herself consults with a counselor, Virginia Goldner, to discuss the therapy process. The idea for the series originated with director Josh Kriegman, whose parents were psychotherapists. The production team meticulously selected couples from thousands of applicants, prioritizing emotional intelligence and genuine problems over a desire for television exposure. They also sought a diverse representation of couples across age, sexual orientation, gender identity, and ethnicity, ensuring they were open to exploring their relationships. The therapy room set was even designed to closely resemble Dr. Guralnik's actual office, down to the placement of books and furniture, further enhancing the sense of authenticity.
Reality TV and Relationship Dynamics: The 2012 Series
Another reality television series, also titled "Couples Therapy," aired in 2012 and presented a different approach to showcasing relationship struggles. This series featured various couples, including actor Doug Hutchison and Courtney Stodden. Their participation drew particular attention due to Stodden's age; she was 16 when she married Hutchison and was two weeks shy of her 18th birthday upon arriving at the therapy center. California child labor laws necessitated that Stodden leave the production area every night and stay in a hotel, causing friction among other participants who were living together as couples.
Dr. Jenn Mann, the main therapist on the 2012 series, initially expressed hesitation about working with the couple, even questioning if Hutchison was a "pedophile." However, she later clarified that she did not believe he was a predator, noting that he was not seeking out teenagers and that Stodden held more power in their relationship than initially perceived. Dr. Mann observed that Hutchison had been disowned by his family and had little support outside of Stodden. This series, while also focusing on therapy, highlighted the challenges and controversies that can arise when personal relationship issues are brought into the public eye through reality television.
Fictional Portrayals and Public Perception
Beyond reality television, fictional works like the 2009 film "Couples Retreat" also contribute to the public's perception of couples therapy. In this movie, four couples attend a tropical resort where couples therapy is mandatory. The film depicts the resort owner, Marcel, employing unusual methods, including swimming with lemon sharks and engaging in unique yoga sessions. While a fictionalized and often comedic portrayal, such narratives can influence how audiences imagine the therapeutic process, sometimes emphasizing exotic settings or unconventional techniques.
These varied media representations, from the earnest documentation of the 2019 series to the more dramatic or fictionalized accounts, collectively shape public understanding. The 2019 series aimed to demystify therapy by showing its "deep work," while the 2012 series showcased the personal dramas and ethical considerations inherent in reality television. Fictional films, meanwhile, often use therapy as a plot device, potentially creating both intrigue and misconceptions about what couples counseling truly entails. Each form of media, in its own way, contributes to the ongoing conversation about relationships and the pursuit of their improvement.
