‭ Five‬‭ Ways‬‭ to‬‭ Tell‬‭ Someone‬‭ They‬‭ Need‬‭ Therapy‬ ‭

November 19, 2024
by Sara Fischer Sanford, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Certified Clinical Trauma Professional in San Francisco, California

When you begin your mental health journey, you will be astounded to see similar hurdles with friends and loved ones. Finding the right way to communicate the need to “get help” can be challenging due to the lingering stigma surrounding therapy. This should serve as a guide or inspiration if you find yourself in this situation with someone close or an acquaintance.

Here are tips to navigate the “Go get therapy!” conversation:

1. Ask Permission:

Begin the conversation with “May I ask about your mental health?” or “May I please speak to you about a personal topic?” While this phrase may seem awkward or silly, when you ask permission to address this topic it will instantly bring the attention to your conversation and set the tone for kindness. Asking permission allows the other party to have agency, and this invites them rather than forces them to hear your concerns.

2. Be Vulnerable:

If you have had mental health support in the past, or if you wish you would have had the help of a therapist, speaking from your own experience can “normalize” the topic. When we relate a personal situation and show our vulnerability we invite the other person to be equally vulnerable.

3. Share Practical Resources:

When you express your concern for the mental health of someone else, you may find that having a practical resource is a great tool. You may suggest that the individual contact their Primary Care Doctor, or their insurance company. If your friend or loved one would benefit from a consultation with Bridge to Wellness Counseling, please email Support@BridgetoWellnessCounselingSF.com. Our practice policy is to always provide referrals to other resources if there is a waiting list. This ensures that your friend won’t be turned away without guidance.

4. Address the Stigma:

We still live in a society where talking about mental health, mental illness, or even going to therapy has some lingering negative connotation. By expressing that this topic can be uncomfortable, that it is hard to face, and that there may be some judgment in this area is realistic. Every time we address this stigma we are making the effect less difficult on ourselves and our community. This is a very small way to make a difference on an individual level.

5. Escalate the Issue:

Mental illness can be serious and there may be times when this conversation takes a challenging turn. Never hesitate to call 911 or 988 for a mental health emergency.

6. Bonus Tip:

If you are unsure if your friend or loved one is in a mental health crisis, always err on the side of caution. You may save a life.

To make a referral to Bridge to Wellness Counseling, you may email Support@BridgetoWellnessCounselingSF.com. You can reach us by call or text at 415-870-6494. We offer a free consultation for all prospective clients, and this can be booked directly on the website at www.BridgetoWellnessCounselingSF.com.

The preceding article was solely written by the author named above. Any views and opinions expressed are not necessarily shared by GoodTherapy.org.