Dr. Marvin Monroe and Dr. Zweig: The Therapists of “The Simpsons”

Abstract

Objective: The psychotherapists and therapeutical methods in the cartoon serial „The Simpsons“ are shown and compaired to each other. Methods: Productions were identified by film databases and altenative search. Each episode was evaluated along psychotherapeutic und psychiatric lines. Results: Therapeuts are shown here in an exaggerated, satirical and fictional way. There are more negative than positive portrayals of psychotherapeuts and psychotherapeutical interventions in the serial. Conclusions: There is growing appearance of psychical illness, psychiatrics an psychotherapists in TV-serials. This will shape the public immage of these disorders and therapists.