It’s been a tough week — make that a tough year — for Justin Bieber.

His alleged altercation with a Calabasas, Calif. neighbor garnered headlines around the world and fixed the media spotlight firmly on the singer once again.

But what’s really bugging Bieber?

“Justin Bieber needs professional help to discuss his feelings in private so that he can come to terms with being an adolescent and a public figure. He is definitely at a crossroads in his life,” psychologist Dr. Yvonne Thomas told Celebuzz.

The Los Angeles-based psychologist, who specializes in individual and life transition counseling, believes that the public should show more empathy toward the superstar 19-year-old.

Bieber still faces the possibility of criminal charges after his neighbor claimed that the pop star spat on him after being confronted about driving his Ferrari at high speeds around the upscale, gated community.

It was the latest bizarre incident involving the performer, who in recent months was kicked out of a Paris hotel, verbally attacked a photographer in London, and was also spotted on multiple occasions wearing a gas mask in the British capital.

“I am not surprised,” said Thomas. “It is a very hard combination managing youth and a lot of resources while trying to maintain an image with the rest of the world. It’s a recipe for a lot of stress.”

The psychologist thinks that Bieber’s latest alleged temper tantrum is a result of him not being able to express his feelings about dealing with the pressures of fame at such a young age.

And although the multi-millionaire pop star has been widely criticized by both the press and his fans over the last month, Thomas feels that people should remember that he’s still on the cusp of adulthood — and that Biebs needs to seek advice in a private and professional setting to help him make the correct adjustments before he could potentially make more serious mistakes.

“I genuinely believe that he is not a bad person but probably feels overwhelmed at times and allows these feelings to take over him,” Thomas said.

Bieber spoke out about the incident Wednesday, admitting that famous or not, he’s still human and makes mistakes.

“The biggest misconception about me is that I’m a bad person,” he told Us Weekly. “I get upset about that. I have a big heart. I want to be a good role model, but some people want me to fail.”

“I’m young and I make mistakes. That’s part of growing up. I mess up sometimes. It’s part of growing up. This business can break you down, but I have a strong team around me, and my family and all the fans. The love overcomes the negativity. I’m not perfect, but I’m growing and trying to be better everyday. That’s part of life.”

Thomas says acknowledging his faults is a good first step.

“It was a great sign that he admitted that he had made mistakes, but now he has to do something about it because there is a long history of young stars before him that could not handle being famous,” said Thomas.

“Somebody like Ron Howard is a good example of a person who did make the transition from child star to a productive and responsible adult and Justin Bieber can learn from that.”

Bieber performed in Munich, Germany for the next stop of his Believe World Tour Thursday, but not before the “Boyfriend” singer reportedly visited his former girlfriend Selena Gomez before jetting off to Europe.

Do you think Justin Bieber needs professional help to deal with the pressures of fame? Leave your comments below.

First, Ron Howard announced that he was in talks to adapt Neil Gaiman‘s The Graveyard Book. Now, the director is reportedly circling another novel to turn into a movie: The Heart of the Sea. Howard could start shooting Sea as early as this fall for Warner Bros., re-teaming the director with Chris Hemsworth, the star of Howard’s upcoming Formula-One racing drama, Rush. Sea, set in the 19th Century, tells the story of sailors lost at sea after being attacked by a sperm whale. And yes, this tale went on to inspire the classic Moby Dick. [Vulture]

Chloe Grace Moretz, who recently wrapped work on the remake of Stephen King‘s Carrie, is attached to star next in an adaptation of YA novel If I Stay.

Twilight‘s Dakota Fanning was previously attached to star in the film, which tells the story of Mia, a 17-year-old cellist destined for big things, until a terrible car accident puts her in a coma. The story unfolds from Mia’s “out of body experience” while still in the coma. Nashville‘s RJ Cutler will direct, marking his feature film debut. [Variety]

Fresh off writing The Inevitable Defeat of Mister and Pete, one of the most talked about movies at this year’s Sundance Film Festival, Michael Starrbury has landed a new gig. On Wednesday, it was announced that Starrbury will rewrite the script for Morgan Creek’s untitled  Tupac Shakur biopic. The film will chronicle the rapper’s rise to fame in the 1990s, culminating with his murder in 1996. A director has yet to sign on, but expect one to board the project soon. [Deadline]

The Muppets sequel keeps collecting quite the cast. First Tina Fey and Ricky Gervais, now Ray Liotta. The Goodfellas star has officially signed on to play an undisclosed role in the film, which starts shooting this month. This is not Liotta’s first run-in with the Muppets; he previously played a dim security guard in Muppets From Space. The Muppets sequel, rumored to be titled The Muppets…Again, is set for release on March 21, 2014. [Variety]

It was recently announced that January Jones will return for Mad Men‘s sixth season, but will she reprise her role as the villainous Emma Frost for the X-Men: First Class sequel? “I don’t know that I’m in it, I don’t think Emma’s in this one,” Jones told Collider.com on Thursday. While Jones has yet to hear from X-Men: Days of Future Past director Bryan Singer regarding her character’s return, she does remain slightly optimistic. “I wouldn’t put it past them though. I got the script for the first one on the airplane on the way there.” [Collider]

Coen Brothers fans? We saved the best for last. The first trailer for the Coens’ new movie, Inside Llewyn Davis, is now online. Drive‘s Oscar Isaac plays the titular folk singer, who is struggling to find his way on the music scene in the 1960s. Frequent Coen collaorator John Goodman (The Big Lebowski) also stars. Watch the trailer below.

Coen Brothers’ Inside Llewyn Davis is now available. The story centers on the titular folk singer/songwriter, played by Oscar Isaac, who struggles to find his way in New York’s Greenwich Village in the 1960s.

Will you see Channing Tatum’s new movie? Check out the trailer for Tatum’s other big release this year, GI Joe: Retaliation, then chime in below in the comments!