Therapist? We Prefer our Hair Stylist, Say 1 in 3

83 million Americans are more likely to discuss their worries with their stylist or barber than a professional therapist, reveals the poll. Photo: Istockphoto

One in three Americans (32%) are more likely to discuss their worries with the person who cuts their hair than with a professional therapist, according to a new poll from AQ, an anxiety management app that tracks anxiety in real-time. Women, younger adults, Midwesterners, and Hispanics are most likely of all to do so, according to the survey of 1,005 Americans by pollsters iPsos eNation, on behalf of AQ.

"Millions of Americans suffer anxiety, depression, and similar challenges but can’t afford to consult a professional therapist. Others might have the money but not the time — or the inclination to do so, sometimes due to a lingering sense of stigma. And even if they do have the time, money, and inclination, there just aren’t enough trained therapists to meet the overwhelming need."
— Dr. Shaun Nanavati, neuropsychologist and chief science officer of AQ

“AQ empowers you to become your own therapist,” added Dr. Nanavati. It tracks your anxiety levels and mental state in real-time and then gives you real-time measures to manage them better. 

Hair stylists and barbers, meanwhile, seem to be helping bridge “the therapy gap” in a different, less data-driven way than AQ, by acting as America’s unofficial therapists.

​“They are paid for their cutting and styling skills,” he said, “but our poll confirms that many also spend their days listening to the troubles of their clients and acting as what amounts to informal and untrained therapists or counsellors.

“Whether we like it or not, the folks cutting our hair are already in the front line of today’s mental health crisis. You might call them salon or barber-chair therapists.”

Stylists and barbers, of course, lack the training and qualifications to tackle many of the issues that trained therapists do, stresses Dr. Nanavati. “And yet some of their clients may feel more relaxed, trusting, and open with them than they would with a trained therapist.”

Other Findings

• The 32% of respondents to AQ’s poll who agree with the statement that “I am more likely to discuss my worries with the person who cuts my hair than I am with a professional therapist” is the equivalent of 83 million adult Americans.
• Women (35%) are more likely than men (29%) to prefer telling their worries to the person cutting their hair, while those aged 18-34 (37%) are more likely to do so than their elders.
• Midwesterners (37%) are more likely to do so than those in any other region — and strikingly more likely so than Northeasterners (22%). “Could this be because there are more therapists to see in the North-East and maybe also less residual stigma about consulting one?”, asks Dr. Nanavati.
• Hispanics (40%) are the ethnic group most likely to prefer sharing their problems with the person cutting their hair, while “White (non-Hispanic)” (29%) are least likely to do so.
• Those with children at home are more likely than those without to prefer sharing their worries with their stylist or barber — by a margin of 37% to 30%.

from ModernSalon

1 in 3 Americans View Their Stylist as a Therapist

Research has shown that many Americans view their salon visits as a needed form of self-care. With many using this pampered downtime as a chance to confide in their stylists, clients tend to think of their beauty Pros as a kind of therapist, too. 
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But what makes a trip to the salon so therapeutic, and just how common is it for people to treat their stylists like therapists? To find out, StyleSeat surveyed 1,000 people about their experiences at salons, spas, and tattoo parlors to see what are the not-so-obvious reasons people get beauty treatments done.

Key Findings:

• At 88%, a large majority view a trip to the salon as a therapeutic experience.
• 1 in 3 consider their stylist to be like a therapist.
• 55% report that their stylist provides emotional support during appointments. 
• A majority (52%) of Americans have discussed their family member or children's issues with their stylist.
• 37% are worried about the conversation or relationship becoming awkward if the topic is too deep.

For those seeking more than just a haircut or manicure, the salon can be a sanctuary. For many Americans, the salon is a place where we can discuss topics beyond just beauty and style tips — we can also share our thoughts and emotions. As we enter Mental Health Awareness Month, it’s important to recognize the value of these safe spaces and the comfort they provide to those seeking a deeper conversation.

from ModernSalon

Also check out: 
​The Confess Project: A Barbershop Mental Health Movement