'Game of Thrones' finale got you down? Therapists are standing by

Are Game of Thrones fans ready for tonight’s finale? Judging by memes alone, most definitely not. One online marketplace is banking on that truth, and they are standing by at the ready to help connect upset viewers with special counselors who can coach them through the end of their favorite show.

“The finale of the show was always going to leave fans distraught after eight years of enjoyment, so we’ve launched a specialized Game of Thrones counseling service to help bereft fans seek support and get the help they need through this tough time,” the U.K.-based site Bark.com explained on a page set up for that purpose.

When you enter your zip code on the page, you’re asked what, specifically is ailing you. The choices include some designed to get a chuckle out of fans — “Cleganebowl,” “Dealing with David Benioff & Daniel Weiss’s writing decisions,” “Numerous major GoT plot holes” — and then others that seem more serious, such as “Dealing with GoT loss” and “Post GoT emptiness.”

This isn’t exactly a joke, as viewers’ relationships with shows like Game of Thrones go deep.

“We watch them to escape our daily lives and immerse ourselves into the ‘unknown,'” Bark.com counselor Lynette said in a statement to CNN. “This is the very reason why we sometimes become addicted to watching them, the stories they tell become part of our identity.”

Other mental health professionals agree that feelings of grief and loss are common after the end of a TV series like Game of Thrones.

“It’s a way we detach from our own issues, our own problems,” Kristen Diou, a licensed professional counselor and co-host of the “Pop Culture Therapists” podcast, told the Huffington Post. “We can be more mindless. The thought of giving that up and coming back to our own world is a little frightening for people.”

It’s not just the absence of the show that has some feeling down. Psychologist Janina Scarlet said that some people may have been turning to characters like Daenerys (Emilia Clarke) to cope with their own trauma experiences.

“Seeing a person who came from an abusive childhood, experienced violence, assault and tragedy can inspire many other trauma survivors, especially women, to better understand and process their traumatic experiences as well,” she told CNET, explaining why episode five’s twist was so devastating. “For many fans, especially women, who might identify with Daenerys in terms of being a survivor, this sudden change can be both confusing and emotionally distressing.”

After answering a few questions on the Bark.com page, including whether I wanted to meet in person, on the phone, or via video chat, the site posted my request for its pros. I then had to sit back and wait for emails from these counselors, who would basically pitch themselves as both GoT and mental health experts. Considering how popular the show has grown, this actually doesn’t seem like such a tall order. But it looks like they’re going to have some packed schedules this week.

As an alternative, you could see any regular therapist to deal with the underlying issues that caused you to lean on fictional characters for support. And please, if you are experiencing any mental health issues, do not view this article as a substitute for professional help.

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