Welcome to Therapist’s Corner with Israa Nasir, a monthly column where we unpack the deeper psychological and emotional themes behind today’s biggest pop culture moments. From viral entertainment trends to sports controversies and literary breakthroughs, I will share my honest thoughts as a psychotherapist (@well.guide) to explore how our favorite media reflects broader social shifts, mental health realities, and the cultural forces shaping our lives. Up first: “Severance.”

At first glance, “Severance” may seem like a dystopian sci-fi thriller, but how far removed is it from our present reality? Beyond its eerie premise (and questionable ethics), the show serves as a mirror, reflecting our increasingly complicated relationship with work — how we define ourselves by it, how we escape through it, and how corporations shape our lives more than we realize – and perhaps, most importantly, how work impacts our mental health.

Here are four insights I took from “Severance” as a therapist:

The negative impact of increased surveillance culture in workplaces.

While, no, you’re not sorting numbers that control your spouse’s conscious under the watchful eye of Mr. Milchick and “the board” — it can still feel like we’re being watched on the job. “Severance” critiques the ever-growing surveillance culture in modern workplaces, where AI-driven monitoring, keystroke tracking, and time-management software are used to improve productivity. The result? Increased stress, burnout, and a workforce that feels less like people and more like cogs in a machine. All that can take a toll on your psyche, stripping your work and self of purpose and control.

Pro tip: You can regain a sense of control by setting small boundaries. Log off at a consistent time, disable unnecessary notifications, or take breaks away from your screen. If the work culture is impacting your mental health, document your concerns and, if possible, bring them up with HR or leadership. Seeking help from a mental healthcare expert to learn how to set boundaries can also be beneficial.

Grief doesn’t just go away.

Mark S. severs to escape his wife’s death, believing that if he can’t remember, he won’t have to feel it. This avoidance mechanism doesn’t alleviate his suffering but instead complicates his emotional state. As Season 2 shows, unprocessed grief has a way of surfacing, no matter how much we try to suppress it. And in the end, he has to face it head on in order to save his wife, Gemma from her confinement. “Severance” reminds us that grief demands to be acknowledged; the question is not ‘if’ you should process grief, but instead, ‘how’ you should process grief. (If you are struggling with grief, please seek professional mental health support)

Pro tip: Rather than suppressing pain, try acknowledging it in small, manageable ways, through journaling, therapy, or even simple rituals of remembrance. Healing isn’t about “moving on”; it’s about learning to carry your loss in a way that allows you to keep living.

Existential purpose and work.

The MDR team spends hours sorting numbers with no idea why until the final episode of season 2, a perfect metaphor for jobs that feel meaningless. And they’re not alone. The Great Resignation and quiet quitting prove that people are waking up to a hard truth: If work doesn’t align with their values, no amount of loyalty or perks will make up for it. A 2023 Deloitte survey found that nearly half of Gen Z and millennials would leave their jobs within two years due to lack of purpose or work-life balance. The lesson? A paycheck alone isn’t enough — people want meaning in their work to feel fulfilled.

Pro tip: Try reconnecting with what does bring you purpose outside of work, whether it’s a creative hobby, community involvement, or deepening personal relationships. Filling your life with rich, diverse experiences outside work makes work one small part of your life.

Using substances as a way to cope with stress.

In Salt’s Neck, people turn to ether to escape their bleak reality — an addiction born from systemic decline. It’s not just about substance use; it’s about the ways people cope when they feel trapped. The town’s descent into addiction reflects the profound impact of socio-economic decline on mental health, emphasizing how environmental factors and corporate negligence can lead to widespread psychological distress and substance abuse. In our world, we see this in the rise of “doomscrolling” — the compulsive consumption of negative news, which psychologists link to heightened anxiety and a sense of helplessness.

Pro tip: Consider small, intentional ways to regulate stress. Mindful activities like movement, time in nature, or talking with a trusted friend can provide relief that doesn’t disconnect you from yourself but rather helps you move through the discomfort. If you find yourself stuck in unhealthy coping patterns, seeking support is a sign of strength, not weakness.

While the show reflects some of the grim realities of our current world (albeit, a little more exaggerated), the show also reflects a way forward, as well. Mark, Helly, and the rest of the MDR team begin to question their reality, resist their conditioning, and seek truth even when it’s painful. (Though, after that final episode, I’m a little unsure where Mark and Helly are taking their new realities.) Awareness is the first step to breaking free from these cycles, whether it’s addiction, emotional numbing, or the passive consumption of despair. Only by recognizing what’s happening can we begin to reclaim our agency and build something better.

This can apply to your own career and mental health as well. If you feel trapped in any environment that drains you, or feels under-fulfilling, start by identifying what’s within your control — whether it’s setting firmer boundaries, seeking mentorship, or exploring opportunities that align with your values. Small steps, like having an honest conversation with yourself about what fulfillment looks like or making a plan to transition out of a toxic environment, can make a significant difference. You have more power than you think to shape your life, professional and otherwise, in a way that supports, not undermines, your well-being.

Israa Nasir is a New York City-based psychotherapist and author of “Toxic Productivity: Reclaim Your Time and Energy in a World That Always Demands More.” Israa received her undergraduate degree in psychology at the University of Toronto and her master’s in counseling at Adelphi University in New York. She is also certified in cognitive behavior therapy and rational emotive behavioral therapy. Israa is a PS Council member.