China increasingly accepts psychology Considered a pseudoscience just 25 years ago, psychology is becoming more mainstream in China. Sara Martin Monitor staff C hina s move toward a market economy has brought more prosperity and economic freedom to the Chinese people. But those changes also appear to have wrought more psychological unrest, says Beijing psychologist Houcan Zhang, PhD. Unemployment has sparked increased levels of depression .
Divorce rates are up.
And thoughts of the future make people anxious particularly those who live in such highly developed commercial cities as Shenzhen, Shanghai and Beijing. In response, just as China has adopted Western economic ideas, so too has it embraced psychology to deal with its newfound challenges. Though independent psychology practitioners are still rare, more medical centers are offering psychotherapy services. Psychology departments are cropping up throughout the nation, and more young people are expressing an interest in the field. Schools and universities are setting up counseling centers for students.