Psychology is a discipline that studies human behavior and mental processes using scientific methods. Years of academic education, ethical codes, and evidence-based interventions form the foundation of this profession. However, in recent years, practices like “relationship coaching,” “astrology counseling,” and “tarot guidance” have spread rapidly, appearing as if they provide psychological support.
These practices are commercial, unregulated, and lack a scientific basis. They target people’s vulnerabilities and hopes, trading in optimism under the name of psychological counseling. This not only threatens individuals’ mental well-being but also damages the credibility of the psychology profession.
Main Body
1. Relationship Coaching: Scientific Counseling or Slogan Trade?
Services offered under relationship coaching often belong to individuals who became “experts” after completing a short certification program lasting a few months. In contrast, scientific counseling requires years of university education, supervision, and ethical responsibility. Slogans commonly used in coaching, such as “discover yourself” or “transform your relationship,” may sound appealing but cannot replace therapeutic methods with scientific validity.
Grant (2016) found that coaching provides short-term benefits in specific work or performance areas. However, offering relationship coaching as an alternative to mental health services is misleading and a professional boundary violation. This creates false expectations and delays solving real psychological problems.
2. Astrology and Tarot: A Modern Version of the Barnum Effect
Astrology and tarot have shown no scientific validity when tested with scientific methods. As demonstrated in Forer’s (1949) famous Barnum effect experiment, people tend to perceive general statements as personally meaningful. Today, presenting astrology charts or tarot readings as “personalized” exploits this cognitive bias.
According to Pew Research Center (2022), 62% of young people believe astrology is accurate. This shows that mystical marketing strategies have replaced scientific thinking. Even if these practices provide short-term comfort, they postpone real problems and can create a form of dependency over time.
3. Threats to the Psychology Profession
The American Psychological Association (APA) requires that only evidence-based interventions are used in counseling and psychotherapy. Nevertheless, practices like relationship coaching, astrology, and tarot are marketed as scientific by unlicensed individuals and are perceived by the public as equivalent to psychological counseling.
Lilienfeld (2012) emphasizes that confusing psychology with non-scientific practices seriously undermines public trust in the profession. The consequences include:
-
Misguiding people with serious issues like depression, trauma, or anxiety.
-
Developing dependence on non-scientific practices instead of seeking professional help.
-
Exploiting people’s vulnerabilities for profit.
This situation creates not only individual but also societal mental health problems.
4. Why Is It Dangerous?
-
Not psychology, just imitation: These practices imitate psychology to gain trust but have no scientific basis.
-
Delayed treatment: People who need real psychological support may waste time, making problems chronic.
-
Ethical irresponsibility: There is no ethical oversight, and clients have no protection if they are harmed.
-
Violation of professional boundaries: While psychologists train for years, offering these practices as “counseling” erodes the profession’s value.
Conclusion
Relationship coaching, tarot, and astrology are fast-growing commercial areas in modern society. However, they cannot be equated with psychological counseling. While they may offer temporary relief, they are misleading, risky, and potentially harmful in the long term.
Psychology is based on scientific methods, and all interventions are shaped by evidence, ethical responsibility, and professional supervision. Therefore, presenting non-scientific practices as psychological counseling harms both individuals and society.
Important future steps include:
-
Educating the public about the difference between psychology and pseudo-scientific practices.
-
Implementing legal regulations in mental health to prevent professional boundary violations.
-
Building strong public awareness to protect the credibility and scientific nature of psychology.
In conclusion, relationship coaching, astrology, and tarot are not psychological counseling and cannot be. They are New Age products that turn human hope into a commercial commodity while imitating psychology. The role of psychology is to clearly define these boundaries, defend scientific integrity, and protect individuals from false hopes.
References
-
Forer, B. R. (1949). The fallacy of personal validation: A classroom demonstration of gullibility. Journal of Abnormal and Social Psychology, 44(1), 118–123.
-
Grant, A. M. (2016). The efficacy of executive coaching in times of organizational change. Journal of Change Management, 16(2), 108-126.
-
Lilienfeld, S. O. (2012). Public skepticism of psychology: Why many people perceive the study of human behavior as unscientific. American Psychologist, 67(2), 111.
-
Pew Research Center. (2022). New Age beliefs and practices in the U.S.
-
International Coach Federation (ICF). (2023). Global Coaching Study Report