It’s estimated that over a quarter of all Americans have received some form of professional counseling in their lives. Unfortunately, barriers like cost often prevent people from receiving the mental health treatment they need. While there’s no true substitute for the real thing, these movies with therapy scenes sure are entertaining and a look into how Hollywood views therapy and counseling. And if you truly are looking for help finding a licensed counselor, make sure to check out Thriveworks.
The “It’s Not Your Fault” Scene from “Good Will Hunting”
It’s okay, you can admit it. You totally cried the first time you saw this scene. Let’s face it, everyone shed a tear during this amazing therapy breakthrough scene from “Good Will Hunting”, even those big burly guys who eat a lot of beef jerky and constantly fart in public with no regard for human safety. You know what, I’m actually going to go watch this movie for the 37th time on HBO right now.
The “Hypnotherapy” Scene in “Office Space”
In this scene from the cult classic “Office Space”, Peter Gibbons describes the soul-crushing feelings of most people who work at a dead-end office job. Hello Peter, what’s happening. I’m gonna need you to go ahead and come in tomorrow. So if you could be here at around…nine that’d be great.
The “I Have Problems” Scene from “What About Bob?”
In my humble opinion, this is one of Bill Murray’s most memorable movie scenes of all time, and that’s saying something. Throughout Bob’s historic psychological rant, he poses one of life’s most important questions that I think we’ve all asked ourselves at some point: “What if I’m looking for a bathroom, I can’t find it, and my bladder explodes?”
The “Beatrice at the Therapist” Scene from “Best in Show”
Perhaps the father of the mother of all comedy movie intro scenes comes from “Best in Show”. I think it’s fair to say that almost every dog owner has experienced that look of shock or utter disappointment from a dog during a “sensual” bedroom moment, and this therapy scene from “Best in Show” articulates it perfectly.
The “You’re Good You” Scene from “Analyze This”
This is Robert De Niro at his absolute “De Niro-est” in one of the funniest scenes from the 1999 Harold Ramis comedy “Analyze This”. If you memorize the dialogue in this scene, you’ll quickly recognize that it’s the best way to greet your favorite co-worker every single day at work. Once they get sick of it, you can go back to quoting Dumb & Dumber on a daily basis.
The “Trust Tree” Scene from “Old School”
Frank the Tank gets tricked by the “trust tree” and ends up making his marriage explode in this legendary scene from “Old School”. It’s honestly one of the Olive Garden’s most positive pop culture moments of the last 20 years.
The “Valium” Scene from “The Departed”
Lucky Leo lays the verbal smack down to Dr. Madolyn Madden so he doesn’t have to score smack on the street in this famous scene from The Departed. A movie also known as “The Depaaahted” or “The Defarted”.
The “Dr. Evil Group Therapy” Scene from “Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery”
Dr. Evil believes the details of his life are quite inconsequential, but that’s pretty common for a boy with a father who was a relentlessly self-improving boulangerie owner from Belgium with low grade narcolepsy and a penchant for buggery. In the spring? Well, they made meat helmets, of course.
The “Group Therapy” Scene from “Patch Adams”
Raise your hand if you’ve seen this scene from “Patch Adams”. Get it! Sure, “Patch Adams” was considered one of Robin Williams’ biggest flops, but it had some amazing moments like this group therapy scene.
The “Help!” Scene from “As Good As It Gets”
Jack Nicholson’s Oscar-winning portrayal of a middle-aged man with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is perfectly encapsulated in this scene from “As Good As It Gets” where he ultimately poses the title of the movie in the form of a question.
The “I Love You” Scene from “Step Brothers”
Dale Doback and Brennan Huff masterfully manipulate their therapists in this counseling montage from “Step Brothers”. These movie scenes will cause you to laugh so hard that you’ll fall off your dinosaur.
The “Conversation with Dr. Berger” Scene from “Ordinary People”
The first time I saw “Ordinary People” was in the 7th grade at school, and this scene still gives me chills. I’d also like to thank my public school system for forcing me to watch “Old Yeller”, “Roots”, and “Charlotte’s Web” before I reached puberty. Really appreciate that.
The “That Was a Good Day” Scene from Matchstick Men
Nicolas Cage is quite “Cagey” in this amazing scene from “Matchstick Men”, which is still one of the most underrated movies of the early 2000s.
The “Doogie Howser” Scene from “50/50”
As someone who lost his mother to cancer, I can honestly say that I wish everyone could have a counselor like Anna Kendrick if and when they ever experience having cancer or losing a loved one to cancer. Not just because she’s the insanely adorable Anna Kendrick, but because her approach to therapy in “50/50” is amazing.
The “Hypnosis” Scene from “Get Out”
I’ve never been hypnotized (as far as I know), and thanks to this scene from “Get Out”, I hope I never do. I also never want to visit my future girlfriend’s parents house. Like ever.
The “You Suspect Her” Scene from “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest”
One of the best scenes from one of the greatest movies ever made by Milos Forman. “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” is a movie that should be watched once a year on a rainy day while you eat soup. Lots and lots of soup.
