Web Animation / Theratpy

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Theratpy is an animated web series created by Beetlerat.

The series is set in a world mostly similar to our own, but populated by anthropomorphic rats. It follows the practice of therapist Dr. Zo, and his sessions with his patient Ratticus. Ratticus struggles with intrusive thoughts, impulsive behavior, and emotional dysregulation, but is reluctant to open up. Dr. Zo, meanwhile, takes unusual methods to encourage Ratticus to express his emotions.

The series can be found here.

This web series provides examples of:

• Abusive Parents: Ratticus's mother is emotionally abusive. She often uses victim-blaming and insults to hurt Ratticus and get him to do what he's told.
• Attention Deficit... Ooh, Shiny!: Downplayed. Ratticus is inattentive and easily distracted, but it's portrayed realistically. He struggles with staying still and with a lack of stimuli, and he's prone to fidgeting in uncomfortable situations.
• Batman Gambit: In "Session 2", Dr. Zo removes most of his possessions from his room save his desk before Ratticus' session, knowing Ratticus might act violently and break something. Ratticus impulsively flips the desk over, and when Dr. Zo obliges his desire not to talk, Ratticus is both embarrassed and fidgety enough to start venting. When Dr. Zo admits this:
  Ratticus: You tricked me.
  Dr. Zo: I listened to you. ...And I'm glad to hear you vent.
• Big, Screwed-Up Family: Ratticus's mother is emotionally abusive to him, while she is the victim of similar abuse from his father.
• Deadpan Snarker: Ratticus is prone to sarcastic remarks, as is Dr. Zo. The two bond over Snark-to-Snark Combat.
  Ratticus: So... come here often?
  Dr. Zo: No, it's my first time.
  Ratticus: Ha!
• Enemy Eats Your Lunch: Downplayed as it's less a sign of hostility and more Ratticus' general anger and emotional disregulation. When they first meet Ratticus takes Dr. Zo's cup of coffee and drinks it without permission, before putting it back on the table and then deliberately knocking it off the table when he puts his feet on top of it.
• Hair-Trigger Temper: Deconstructed. Ratticus suffers from emotional dysregulation and intrusive thoughts, meaning he often acts on his anger without being able to control himself. This is something he's deeply ashamed of.
• Mature Animal Story: A dramedy about mental illness and abuse, starring anthropomorphic rats.
• Reluctant Psycho: Ratticus has a tendency towards impulsive and violent episodes he can't control. He also regularly suffers from intrusive thoughts about killing his abusive mother. Both of these things deeply torment him, and only fuel his self-hatred.
• Stepford Snarker: Ratticus is snarky and abrasive, but it's clearly a way of coping with his mental illness and abusive family.
• Stoic Spectacles: Dr. Zo's glasses are used to show him as a stoic, somewhat enigmatic figure, but also a benevolent one. They are represented as transparent in the art style, symbolizing how he "sees through" people.
• The Stoic: Dr. Zo is reserved, quiet, and rarely emotes visibly.
• Queer Establishing Moment: Dr. Zo reveals he identifies as pansexual and demiromantic in a Q&A video.
• Straight Gay: Dr. Zo is very reserved, stoic, and well-dressed, and he has dated men and women, though he cheekily does a limp wrist gesture while confirming it and says he's dated men.