Whitney Pickett asked Lori Gottlieb:

Hi Lori! I loved your book. Is there an appropriate way to suggest to someone that they seek out therapy without sounding like you know what's best for them? My husband has chronic illness and I think would benefit from having someone to talk to (in addition to getting over historical family issues), but he "doesn't believe in therapy" - any advice would help! I look forward to reading more of your books

Lori Gottlieb Hi Whitney, so nice to hear that you liked my book! People tend to seek therapy when they, themselves, feel that they're struggling. If he feels this way, you might suggest that there are many things he can try so that he doesn't have to suffer so much, only one of which is therapy. He can always go for a consultation, for which there's absolutely no downside. One of two things might happen: a) He discovers it's helpful and decides to go back or b) He doesn't find it helpful and he doesn't go back. But if he doesn't feel that he wants/needs help, well... people don't do well in therapy if they're going for somebody else's sake (i.e., yours).

flag