Married At First Sight: I've Changed My Mind About Dr. Pia, I Think She Needs To Stay An Expert In Future Seasons

I once thought that Married at First Sight expert, Dr. Pia Holec, was not a good therapist or fit for the show, but I've changed my mind and now think she should be in future seasons. 39-year-old Dr. Pia is the youngest of the three Married at First Sight experts. She is also the newest expert on the show. Dr. Pepper Schwartz, 79, has been an expert since season 1, and Pastor Cal Roberson, 63, has been on since season 4. Dr. Pia is a licensed clinical psychologist and sex therapist specializing in intimacy, relationships, and trauma.

While Dr. Pepper and Pastor Cal do discuss intimacy topics with the cast, Dr. Pia is most known for diving into that topic with the participants. Married at First Sight season 18 is currently airing, and the couples have only a few weeks left in the eight-week-long experiment to decide whether they want to stay with their spouses or get a divorce. As an avid MAFS fan, I've noticed Dr. Pia has become the central expert in season 18, and I feel she's redeemed herself from past season follies that have earned her criticism.

Dr. Pia Has Made Some Poor Therapy Approaches

She's Been Disliked

Dr. Pia is known for coming in and hot and oftentimes battling with the Married at First Sight participants. I think Dr. Pia really started having more of a presence in MAFS season 17 in Denver, where she got on the bad side of several cast members. I watched Dr. Pia visibly have contempt for Brennan Shoykhet and Orion Martzloff, as she frequently cut them off and controlled the supposed therapy sessions.

Dr. Pia also wears her feelings on her face, so when she is annoyed or triggered by a patient, it shows.

In an off-camera season 17 interaction, Dr. Pia accused Michael Shiakallis and Chloe Brown of being inauthentic, a notion which they took offense to and spoke about with the other cast. Lifetime's Dr. Pia has also played favorites, in my opinion, and she is often more involved, kind, and animated with the ethnic cast members. I don't feel Dr. Pia historically fostered the safe spaces necessary for the participants to do real therapy work, and that's where myself and fans have had the most contention. But she is redeeming herself in MAFS season 18.

Dr. Pia Has Redeemed Herself In MAFS Season 18

Dr. Pia Has Been More Present & Understanding

Married At First Sight Expert Dr. Pia looking on and background of her and other experts sitting in a row — Married At First Sight Experts Dr. Pia Pastor Cal and Dr. Pepper

I sense Dr. Pia has come into MAFS season 18 with a different attitude. Maybe watching herself back and hearing the cast criticisms from season 17 helped her reevaluate her counseling approach to be more gentle. I'm certain Dr. Pia has not lost her directness, and she still can't hide her feelings on her face, but she is wholly less combative. I watched Dr. Pia become more sensitive to issues among the couples that would have personally bothered her before.

While she was firm on calling Ikechi Ojoré out on having a bad attitude during a therapy session with his now-ex-wife Emem Obot, she didn't match Ikechi's attitude like I know she's matched other people's poor energy in the past. Dr. Pia has approached intimacy topics more progressively than in season's past, and pushed the couples to explore within their comfort instead of her previous methods of prying, which I've seen make some cast uncomfortable. I'm certain Dr. Pia is more likable in MAFS season 18, and her therapy sessions are getting through to the cast members more.

Dr. Pia Should Be The Leading Expert Moving Forward

Dr. Pia Is Already Stepping Into That Role

Dr. Pepper has been quite absent in MAFS season 18, with Dr. Pia taking over most of the counseling sessions. Pastor Cal has been involved with the couples as well, but not to the degree of Dr. Pia.

To me, this means the franchise is shifting away from the two old school experts, and supporting Dr. Pia to become the leading expert.

Dr. Pia has gotten a lot of air time, and with her improved image and reputation as a result her Married at First Sight season 18 approach, I'm all for her taking over the show. I think if she led a panel including two new experts in season 19, the show's viewership and fan satisfaction would improve. Dr. Pia has the capacity to make quality reality TV with her personality and therapy style, and with her changing approaches, I think she could be effective in future seasons.

Married At First Sight airs Tuesdays at 8 p.m. EST on Lifetime.

Source: Lifetime/YouTube