Ways to Offer Support to Family Members Who Refuse to Seek Therapy
Encouraging family members to seek therapy can be challenging, especially if they are resistant to the idea. However, therapy can be a valuable tool for helping individuals address mental health conditions, emotional struggles, and personal challenges. If your family members won't seek therapy, here are some steps you can take.
Lead by example
If you have personally benefited from therapy, share your experiences with your family members. Let them know how therapy has helped you and how it could help them as well.
Be patient and understanding
Change takes time, and your family members may need to process their thoughts and feelings before they are ready to seek therapy. Be patient and understanding, and offer support and encouragement.
Share resources
Offer your family members information about therapy and mental health resources. This can include brochures, websites, and support groups.
Talk openly and honestly
Have an open and honest conversation with your family members about your concerns for their mental health and well-being. Let them know that you are concerned and that you are communicating this information out of care.
Consider family therapy
If your family members are resistant to individual therapy, consider suggesting family therapy. Family therapy can help address family dynamics and improve relationships, and it may be a more approachable option for some individuals.
Respect their decision
Ultimately, the decision to seek therapy is up to your family members. If they are not ready or willing to seek therapy, it is important to respect their decision and not force the issue.
Seek your own therapy
There are times when someone else’s refusal to seek help has a negative impact on us. In these cases, it’s important to focus on what you can control. While you cannot necessarily control your family member or their decision, you can make the decision to get your own therapy. In doing so, you can get the support you need and learn how to set necessary boundaries with this individual (if applicable).
Encouraging family members to seek therapy can be challenging, but there are steps you can take to support them. Lead by example, be patient and understanding, share resources, talk openly and honestly, consider family therapy, and respect their decision. Remember, your family members' mental health and well-being is important, and so is yours!
Search Our Other Blogs!
Interested in Counseling for Communication Skills and Boundary Setting?
If you’re a Marylander who knows that counseling is the direction you need to take, the therapists at LifeSpring Counseling Services are here to help. We offer online counseling services for mindfulness, depression, anxiety, trauma, and grief and loss. We also offer Brainspotting as a specialized service, and Brainspotting can be done online, too!
Here’s how you can get started! Online counseling for communication skills and boundary setting aren’t the only services offered at our Maryland office
The counselors and social workers at our Maryland office also offer counseling services for trauma, grief and loss, boundary setting, communication skills, and difficult life transitions. We also offer specialized counseling services including Brainspotting and spiritually-integrated counseling. Because we are located next to several local universities, we also work with college students and international students.
