How to Encourage a Friend That Therapy is a Good Idea. Tips From a Therapist in Long Beach

If you have a friend or loved one who has an issue that is affecting their life in negative ways, you have probably done all that you can to help. There comes a point where we all realize that there is nothing we can do to remedy the situation for our friend, and that usually comes at the same moment you understand that professional help might be the best thing for that person. Encouraging them to seek out a therapist can be tricky, especially since they may already have feelings about therapy that have prevented them from going up until that point. Let’s take a quick look at some of the excuses you may hear, and how you can educate your friend that therapy is still a good idea.

One of the most common arguments that people make is that they will be perceived as being mentally ill the moment they step through the office door of a therapist. This is a pretty common argument, but one that really has no basis in fact. People visit a therapist for a variety of different reasons, and therapy no longer has the stigma attached to it that it used to have years ago. You can tell your friend that what they are feeling is normal, but that they should not have to worry about being branded by anyone.  You can also let them know that no one will ever know they went to therapy unless they feel comfortable sharing that information with people.   They could find a therapist in a city other than their own if they don’t want to be seen by someone walking into a therapy office.  The truth is though, that most therapy offices don’t have “therapy” written on the building.  Therapists are usually renting an office in a bigger building filled with doctors, accountants, etc.  So even if someone sees you walk in there, chances are that person won’t even know it is a therapy office.

There is also a fear of going into therapy that feels very real for many people. What you have to do here is explain that what they are feeling is an “un-wellness” of a sort, and that it’s something that can only be solved by a medical professional. After all, they would not talk to a friend about a cure for their broken arm, and would instead go see a doctor. Things like anxiety and depression are both treatable, and a therapist is the perfect solution, because they know how to deal with those specific “un-wellnesses”.

For others, there is a fear of being vulnerable in front of people that they don’t know very well, which is a common issue for many people who are considering therapy. You need to let these types of people know that anything they say to a therapist will be protected under doctor-patient confidentiality. There is a much better chance that their problems will spread if they talk to friends or loved one who are not bound to such a contract. Getting specific about why they feel vulnerable can help, as it will make it easier for you to let them know that their fears are unfounded.

The bottom line is that you need to apply logic to every excuse that is likely to be offered up. Make it clear that they are in a safe place with a therapist, and that there is really nothing to lose. Better yet, talk to your friend about the potential end result, as seeing a potential positive ending to their problem is often enough to get them to seek the help they need.  You can also offer to be there with them when they call the therapist, help them look for the right therapist and even drive them to their therapy appointment.  I would not suggest driving them on an on-going basis, but for a first appointment, this might be the security they need to know they aren’t alone.

If you are looking for an individual therapist or couple’s therapist in Long Beach, Lakewood or the surrounding areas, please give me a call to ask me a question or to set up an appointment.