This article could be summarized in two sentences, both of which should be unsurprising to most HN readers:
1. Publication bias means that the reported results for efficacy of psychotherapy are likely to be stronger than the actual efficacy.
2. Observational studies showed a negative relationship between mental health outcomes and psychotherapy.
The clickbait title aside, 1 is not really news as this bias affects every field, especially social science, and has been widely reported. 2 is basically a no-op. You cannot under a causal relationship based only on observational studies. Full stop. The idea that people who developed poor mental health sought professional help is if anything more plausible than the clickbaity alternative.
1. Publication bias means that the reported results for efficacy of psychotherapy are likely to be stronger than the actual efficacy. 2. Observational studies showed a negative relationship between mental health outcomes and psychotherapy.
The clickbait title aside, 1 is not really news as this bias affects every field, especially social science, and has been widely reported. 2 is basically a no-op. You cannot under a causal relationship based only on observational studies. Full stop. The idea that people who developed poor mental health sought professional help is if anything more plausible than the clickbaity alternative.