How to Support a Friend in Therapy: A Guide to Healthy Encouragement
When a friend shares that they’ve started therapy, you may feel proud of them; and also unsure how to respond. Do you check in often? Do you ask questions? Do you give them space? Supporting someone in therapy is about striking a balance: offering encouragement without pressure. Here’s how you can show up in ways that are healthy and helpful.
What Not to Do
Even with good intentions, certain reactions can feel discouraging. Avoid:
◦ Asking for details they may not want to share (“So… what do you talk about in therapy?”).
◦ Making therapy sound like a quick fix (“You’ll be better in no time!”).
◦ Comparing their journey to yours or others (“When I went to therapy, I…”).
◦ Joking or minimizing (“Don’t tell your therapist about me!”).
These responses can make your friend feel pressured, judged, or less safe opening up.
Healthy Ways to Encourage a Friend in Therapy
Therapy is deeply personal, but you can still be a supportive presence. Try:
◦ Normalize it: Treat therapy like you would any other kind of health care.
◦ Respect privacy: Let them share what they want, when they want.
◦ Ask gently: “Do you feel like talking about how therapy is going?”
◦ Offer encouragement: Celebrate their courage for seeking help.
◦ Be consistent: Keep showing up as a friend outside of therapy talk.
Your role isn’t to be their therapist; it’s to be their friend.
Why Your Support Matters
Therapy can feel vulnerable, especially in the beginning. Having friends who respond with care helps reduce shame and stigma, making it easier for your loved one to stick with the process. Sometimes, knowing someone simply believes in them makes all the difference.
Gentle Reminder
Supporting a friend in therapy doesn’t mean fixing them—it means reminding them they don’t have to walk the road alone.
