Written by: Emily Joswiak • June 27, 2025• Health + Wellness

6 Tips To Help Encourage a Loved One To Go to Therapy

Support a loved one considering therapy with compassion and patience. Learn actionable ways to help, build trust, and guide them toward mental health resources.

Two women sit on a loveseat. One woman has her head in her hands, and the other is embracing her.

Supporting a loved one when you notice they may need help can feel overwhelming. Helping someone take that first step toward therapy requires sensitivity and understanding. If you’re unsure how to approach the conversation, these steps will help guide you in encouraging your loved one to consider therapy.

Express Concerns Through Open Communication

Start by having an honest but gentle conversation. Choose a calm moment to share your thoughts and make your concerns about them. When you focus on how much you care, they’ll feel more at ease. For instance, you might say, “I’ve noticed you’ve seemed stressed lately, and I want you to know I’m here for you.” Speaking from a place of care demonstrates that your intentions are genuine and focused on their well-being.

Highlighting your own experiences or stories you’ve heard can make therapy feel more relatable. When you mention how therapy has worked positively for others, it reduces the stigma and makes the idea less intimidating. For example, you could share, “I went through a rough patch last year, and therapy gave me perspective.” Demonstrating that therapy is a common and helpful tool can help normalize it and alleviate some of their hesitation.

Discuss the Benefits Therapy Offers

Avoid focusing on any stigma or negative connotations of therapy. Instead, explain the concrete advantages it can bring to their life. You could share how therapy can help people manage stress, improve their communication, or enhance their emotional well-being. If you can see the signs that your loved one needs therapy, you should address their specific challenges thoughtfully. For instance, you could say, “Therapy could give you strategies to cope with the things you’ve been dealing with lately.” Framing it as a valuable resource can make it more appealing.

Offer Help Finding Practical Resources

Taking action to support them can make the process feel more manageable. Offer to help research therapists or talk through logistics if they feel apprehensive. Recommending reputable directories or suggesting affordable options can address financial or accessibility concerns. Small gestures like sharing helpful articles, providing contact information for professionals, or setting reminders can show you’re there every step of the way.

Allow Time and Stay Supportive

While you want to help right away, remember that your loved one’s decision ultimately belongs to them. They might need time to think or process the idea. Avoid pressuring them or following up excessively. Instead, remind them you’re available if they’d like to talk more. By showing ongoing support without judgment, you create a trusting environment where they can open up.

Address Common Therapy Myths

When discussing therapy with a loved one, it’s not uncommon for them to express concerns based on common misconceptions about the process. Address common myths compassionately can help ease their worries and encourage an open-minded perspective.

Helping a loved one consider therapy takes compassion, effort, and patience. If they decide to take that step, they’ll know they have someone cheering them on. If you’re ready to find resources that might help them, connect with trusted professionals or explore mental health directories today.

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