Therapy ....................................

We all have experienced stress, anxiety, depression, grief or relationship problems at some point in our lives, right? Many of us have friends or loved ones who are suffering right now and could benefit from therapy. Suggesting to a loved one or friend they need therapy can sound offensive and make them feel as if they are being criticized.

Do you know how to recommend therapy to your loved one? Here are 6 ways to recommend therapy to your loved one:

1. ​Say something soon! – The sooner you say something, you prevent a larger issue or a full-blown crisis from arising. Minimizing the issue or hoping the problem will go away on its own isn't likely or realistic.
   
   
2. Normalize therapy! – If you have benefited from therapy talk about it with them. If you haven’t gone to therapy yourself, express empathy by saying something like, “I see how stressed you are with everything going on right now and you deserve real support beyond our conversations. Have you thought about seeing a therapist for help?”
   
   
3. Don’t Diagnose! – Leave diagnosing to the experts. Instead, you can say something like, “I notice that you don't seem like yourself. I care about you and think a therapist can help you.”
   
   
4. Be Reassuring! – Therapy doesn't have to be long term for it to be very effective in resolving issues. Assure your loved one they can find a compassionate, supportive and objective therapist that will provide the insight and tools to empower them.
   
   
5. Be Resourceful! – Be prepared to share where they can go to find a psychiatrist, psychologist or therapist. If they are employed, ask them to contact HR to inquire about Employee Assistance Program (EAP) benefits. In addition, many schools and Universities offer free or low-cost services. There are also online therapy options such as Open Path for persons from low-income status. Go to openpathcollective.org/ to learn more.
   
   
6. Be Supportive! – Offer to pay or be there for moral support. If the situation is very serious, consider an intervention or hiring an interventionist. In case of an emergency, always dial 9-11 or take them to their local emergency room for an evaluation.

 
Don’t let your loved one or friend suffer in silence. Express to them that therapy is not replacing your relationship with them. If they decide to not go to therapy, it's their choice and you did your part. If the relationship is becoming harmful to you, reevaluate your boundaries with them. You might want to examine if the relationship is worth continuing. Remember, we all can benefit from therapy!