MovieChat Forums > Hey Arnold! (1996) Discussion > My only problem with "Helga on the couch...

My only problem with "Helga on the couch"

posted 5 years ago by [deleted]
3 replies | jump to latest

The therapist seemed more concerned about Helga's crush on Arnold than the more serious stuff going on about her life.

She's been neglected since preschool and Olga got more attention. THATS the real reason she's angry and why she fell for Arnold (he's the first person to give her positive attention.) But all that Arnold stuff isn't the issue here. Shouldn't the therapist make it a priority to help Helga cope with her family and get her help to assure that she's properly taken care of and nurtured?!?!

[–] Furienna (3350) 5 years ago

Well, maybe she did talk to Helga's parents later.

[–] acidraindrop (3055) 2 years ago

Helga knows that she's neglected; she was forthcoming with all of that. The therapist will most certainly continue to work with Helga through all of that. But what's critical here, which the therapist noticed is that Helga was being excessively secretive about it. The combination of the secrecy + positive impact on her own life made it important to bring to the surface. And as you notice at the end, being able to express all of that did leave Helga in a more communicative and earnest position.

[–] StrongRex (1319) 2 years ago

Dr. Bliss’s overall goal was to find out the root of why Helga was acting out towards others, hence why she was in her office in the first place - and she did. This was not a one-time thing, we are supposed to assume that Helga continues to see Dr. Bliss even though she’s not seen in any future episodes.