Tips on encouraging, listening, and being present for friends or family exploring mental health care.
Watching someone you care about struggle with their emotions or mental health can be difficult. You might want to help — but not know how. Suggesting therapy or supporting a loved one who’s thinking about it can feel delicate.
The good news is, your support can make a huge difference. When a person feels encouraged and understood, they’re more likely to take that brave first step toward healing.
Here’s how you can be there for someone who’s considering therapy — with empathy, respect, and care.
1. Start with Compassion, Not Pressure
When discussing therapy, it’s important to come from a place of understanding, not insistence.
Avoid phrases like:
“You really need therapy.”
Instead, try:
“I’ve noticed you’ve been feeling down lately. Have you thought about talking to someone who could help?”
This shifts the focus from what’s “wrong” to what might help them feel better. Remember: therapy is most effective when it’s a personal choice, not something someone feels forced into.
2. Listen Without Trying to Fix Everything
Your role isn’t to diagnose, analyze, or “solve” their problems — it’s to listen.
Sometimes the best way to help is to give them space to express what they’re feeling without judgment.
You can say:
- “That sounds really hard. I’m here to listen.”
- “You don’t have to go through this alone.”
Simple words of reassurance can ease their fear or shame about seeking therapy.
3. Normalize the Idea of Therapy
Stigma is still one of the biggest barriers to mental health care. You can help by normalizing therapy in everyday conversation.
You might share your own positive experiences or mention how therapy helps many people manage stress, anxiety, or life transitions.
Examples:
- “Lots of people see therapists just to have a safe space to talk — it doesn’t mean something’s wrong.”
- “Therapy is like having a personal trainer for your mind.”
Normalizing the topic helps remove shame and makes therapy feel like a healthy, responsible choice.
4. Offer Practical Help
Taking the first step can be overwhelming — especially if your loved one feels anxious or uncertain. You can make the process easier by offering practical support:
- Helping them research therapists in their area or online.
- Offering to sit with them while they make the first call or fill out forms.
- Reminding them that it’s okay to “try out” therapists until they find the right fit.
Sometimes, support means quietly empowering them to take control of their own care.
5. Respect Their Boundaries and Privacy
Even if you’re deeply involved in your loved one’s life, remember that therapy is personal.
They might not want to share details about their sessions — and that’s okay. Respecting their privacy shows trust and allows them to feel safe in their healing process.
You can let them know:
“You don’t have to tell me what you talk about — I just want you to feel supported.”
Boundaries build confidence and remind your loved one that their emotional space is respected.
6. Be Patient with Their Process
Healing takes time. Your loved one might hesitate, start and stop therapy, or take a while to find the right therapist.
Avoid making judgments like:
“You’ve been going for months — are you better yet?”
Instead, reinforce progress:
“I’m really proud of you for taking care of yourself.”
Encouragement helps them stay committed and reminds them that seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness.
7. Take Care of Yourself, Too
Supporting someone through emotional challenges can be draining. Don’t forget your own mental health in the process.
It’s okay to set limits, seek your own support, or even talk to a therapist yourself. When you take care of your own well-being, you’re better able to show up with empathy and patience for your loved one.
Final Thoughts
Encouraging someone to seek therapy isn’t about pushing them — it’s about walking beside them with care.
By listening, normalizing, and offering gentle guidance, you help create a safe space for your loved one to open up and take the next step toward healing.
Remember: therapy is a journey, and your compassion can be the bridge that helps them begin.
Need Professional Support?
Use our Therapist Directory to find licensed professionals who can help you or someone you love take the first step toward better mental health.
