My son recommended that I watch the documentary Stutz, saying, “I’m sure you’ll enjoy it, as it talks about the life of a psychiatrist.”
I quickly stopped him from spoiling the plot and added it to my “to-watch” list. When I finally watched it, I was genuinely amused.
Traditionally, the therapist-patient relationship has been largely one-directional; the patient shares personal experiences while the therapist listens and occasionally offers feedback.
Patients usually know little, if anything, about their therapist’s personal life. However, the documentary Stutz turns this dynamic on its head. In it, the patient Jonah Hill interviews his own therapist, uncovering Dr Phil Stutz’s childhood experiences and his ongoing struggle with Parkinson’s disease.
In the documentary, Dr Stutz shares his personal experiences and methods for conducting therapy. For him, it is not only about patients venting out their feelings while the therapist nods and validates, but also teaching patients practical skills on accepting that pain is inevitable, breaking life into small, meaningful actions and confronting the inner force that resists.
He introduces what he calls 'The Tools', a set of five simple, action-oriented techniques that use visualisation and specific actions to transform problems into opportunities for growth, empowering individuals to overcome fear, insecurity and procrastination, making change happen faster than traditional therapy.
This method is not supported by scientific evidence and is not a recognised component of psychotherapy.
As a psychiatrist, I was fascinated by how the documentary demystifies therapy. In many societies, including ours, many people believe that therapy is only for the “mentally ill", that it is a sign of weakness, or that talking cannot really change anything.
In the documentary, Dr Stutz challenges these beliefs, showing therapy as a courageous act that involves two people sitting together, trying to make sense of pain and find a way forward.
Equally powerful was the moment when the therapist becomes the patient. Dr Stutz speaks openly about living with Parkinson’s disease, a progressive condition that has changed his body and will continue to affect his future.
Watching the therapist talk about his own vulnerability was deeply moving. It reminds us that no one is immune to suffering, and that even healthcare providers need someone to listen to them with empathy and compassion.
The documentary also emphasises that there is no perfect, pain-free life waiting for us. We often postpone living, telling ourselves, “Once this problem is solved, then I will be happy.”
Dr Stutz reminds us that life will always carry uncertainty, loss and fear. The challenge is not to escape them, but to keep choosing meaning, connection and action in their presence.
What I liked about this documentary is that it normalises emotional struggle by reminding viewers that they are not alone in feeling stuck, afraid, or inadequate. Even successful people wrestle with the same questions. Help does not come from magical answers, but from the willingness to engage with life, one step at a time.
In my opinion, this documentary reminds us that true strength lies in accepting that we are imperfect, uncertain and human. It does not just ask us to watch therapy, but to reflect on our own lives.
Dr Hamed Al Sinawi
The writer is a senior consultant psychiatrist at SQU Hospital
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