The Myth of Psychotherapy is a provocative critique of psychotherapy and its role in modern society. Szasz contends that mental illness itself is a myth, a construct used to justify psychiatric intervention and social control. He examines how therapists offer guidance and moral judgment under the guise of medical treatment. and explores how psychotherapy has been used as a tool for repression, shaping individuals to conform to societal norms rather than addressing genuine medical conditions.
Szasz challenges the legitimacy of psychiatric diagnoses and the therapeutic industry, arguing that personal struggles should be understood as problems in living rather than as medical disorders. His work is deeply philosophical, questioning the ethical implications of labeling individuals as mentally ill and subjecting them to treatment.