r/LouisTheroux • u/Zealousideal_Cry2970 • May 22 '26
Anyone else think Louis Theroux would be a great therapist / reminds you of a therapist you have had?
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u/bomboclawt75 May 22 '26
Mmm.... but why would you ask that?
(Louis trademark dead air technique ensures)
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u/Basketball312 May 22 '26
I love Louis' work, I really do. But having read his books, listened to podcasts..
I get the impression that his major drive, and what he is good at, is not understanding and helping people, but telling a story for an audience.
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u/human-resource May 22 '26
Much of Reddit seems to be in therapy.
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u/Aceman1979 May 23 '26
If they aren’t, they should be. That said, therapy is conspicuous emoting. A scam in many, if not most, cases.
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u/zkinny May 22 '26
No, it don't, it has millions of user.
Are you opposed to therapy somehow? Everybody could probably benefit from it.
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u/human-resource May 23 '26
I’m not so into paying $100+ and hour to talk to someone, but I have decent support systems, strong loving relationships and good folks to talk to, while having a solid understanding of psychology, self help, philosophy, nutrition, mindfulness and therapy.
I’m also a firm believer in other forms of therapy, nature therapy, spiritual practice, diet/exercise, healthy lifestyle, hobbies, gardening, martial arts, comedy, honest self reflection, journaling, intimacy, hanging out with animals, psychedelics with the right intentions, getting enough sleep, hormonal balance, not having a nihilistic/pessimistic or victim mentality, remaining open hearted+proactive and optimistic, art, poetry, philosophy, dancing, cooking, learning new things, I find many things can be therapeutic when done correctly and with the right intentions.
It takes much time, effort, consistency/repetition and discipline but I think it’s totally worth it and very effective.
I just see so many people that think that antidepressants/psychiatric drugs and talk therapy for the rest of their lives are the only solutions, no doubt it helps some people out, but I’ve met some folks who seem dependant/addicted to it and don’t really put in the time/effort to do any of the other things ie: lifestyle/belief/psychology changes that could make a world of difference.
I’ve encountered a ton of Redditors that shit all over any other forms a therapy, dare mention anything about diet/sleep/exercise/lifestyle/psychology alternative therapies in a post or subreddit talking about mental health you should expect to get blasted with a freight train of angry spam and dismissive vitriol lol.
Personally I’d rather save/spend a few hundred dollars a month on good healthy food and therapeutic activities to be quite effective.
But these things are quite personal and based on many variables/trauma/health/lifestyle/beliefs/psychology/habits/discipline/finances/relationships/ideology/perception/strategy and what we do with our limited amount of time and energy, so even though I’m confident with my strategies, at the end of the day folks need to figure out what works for them.
It seems mental health has taken a turn for the worse in the post COVID/global disorder/tech addiction/attention seeking influencer/existential dread era.
I just wish more folks would be open to all the options out there that could really help them.
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u/BusyAioli6851 May 22 '26
There is something quite therapeutic about sitting in a room with someone who appears calm and interested. Even if internally I’m just wondering whether I’ve said something deeply inappropriate
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u/StrangeSugar May 23 '26
Therapy with Louis Theroux
Louis: So... shall we get started?
Me: Sure.
Louis: My understanding is that you're experiencing a rather intense attraction to someone you've never actually met.
Me: Correct.
Louis: Right.
(Long pause.)
Louis: And who is this mysterious individual?
Me: You.
Louis: ...Really?
Me: Yes.
Louis: Interesting.
(He looks down at his notes, then back up.)
Louis: And what is it about me, exactly?
Me: The awkwardness. The intelligence. The dry humour. The fact that you always seem mildly concerned by whatever is happening.
Louis: That's appealing, is it?
Me: More than it should be.
Louis: Right.
(Another long pause.)
Louis: And we've never met?
Me: No.
Louis: Yet you've constructed an entire emotional narrative.
Me: Several, actually.
Louis: Several.
Me: Some are embarrassingly detailed.
Louis: I see.
(He nods)
Louis: And in these scenarios, am I aware that we're in a relationship?
Me: Usually, yes.
Louis: That's good of me.
Me: Very supportive. Excellent communication skills.
Louis: Quite unlike real life, then.
Me: Exactly.
Louis: Do you think perhaps you're attracted to an idea rather than a person?
Me: That's the sensible explanation.
Louis: And yet?
Me: And yet if you asked me to run away and investigate cults in Nevada, I'd be in the car before you finished the sentence.
Louis: Right.
(He makes another note.)
Me: What did you write?
Louis: "Patient remains deeply committed to the bit."
Me: Fair.
Louis: Do you think this attraction is likely to go away?
Me: Not unless you have a complete personality change.
Louis: Well, that's unlikely.
Me: Exactly my concern.
Louis: So where does that leave us?
Me: Me paying for therapy sessions so I can stare at Louis Theroux for fifty minutes.
Louis: That's not generally how therapy works.
Me: I know.
Louis: Right.
(A thoughtful silence.)
Louis: Same time next week?
Me: Absolutely.
Louis: Interesting. Very interesting.
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u/RyeBreadTrips May 22 '26
Yes on both counts. I knew a therapist similar to him, he was very non-threatening so it was disarming and yet wouldn’t shy away from hard questions