I think there are times where we could spend time on something more valuable than finding our own solution. This way we can leverage the learning of others -
Exactly. Finding specialists who can do a thing faster and better is often the most cost effective way. Emotional or physical cost.
Even when I was a serious mechanic I didn't rewind starters. There was a guy with a shop and that's all he did. In a real push I could take a starter to him and get it back in a couple of hours. Same with carburetors. I could overhaul them, but there was a shop that could do it in less than half the time. I could be working productively on something else instead of spinning my wheels by overhauling a carb.
I think with some of your examples you are hinting at the problem of getting help too soon - you can do these things yourself - and then you outsource them. I think with psychological skills, it would be good if everyone has some level of proficiency before outsourcing as at some times in life - there is only us, we are alone.
You must think psychotherapy is like watching television for the patient.
What makes you think that?
Because passive activities like watching television is what makes people soft. From what I know about psychotherapy, the goal is change when a patient is stuck in ways of coping with whatever is ailing them that are keeping them dysfunctional or worsening their condition. When psychotherapy is effective it should increase a persons resiliency in the face of adversity through serious effort. We all know how difficult (profound) change is.
The problem I see with it from those I know use it is that it depends heavily on the person to begin with and their ability to take agency. Some use it as a crutch and whenever they get uncomfortable or want some sympathy, they go to a therapist. Perhaps they need someone to talk to, but they don't necessarily need a therapist. But hey, this is the world where some think intimacy isn't needed or whatever the Internet offers as a subsititute is enough. I think the rise in people going to therapy is a symptom of disconnection for the lost part. Some people need it, many don't.
I think the very high cost of psychotherapy deters its overuse quite effectively. Few can drop €150 for an hour of a supportive chat for long.
Yet, few explore the other options either. Many of them are free.
I dont think there is overuse in Finland, but I think that there might be useless use at times. But this isn't what the post was about at all, it was about the need for human connection in a world that is looking to lessen it.