Creative Ways To Get A Stubborn Friend Into Therapy
Do you have a friend that needs therapy but doesn’t want to take the time to see a counselor? Perhaps this person has encountered a problem in the past that he cannot get over on his own. It’s often the strongest people in our lives that need the most help, but they can’t bring themselves to ask for it. Luckily, we have some tips that might help you talk your friend into getting the help he needs. Here are some creative ways to get a stubborn friend into therapy.
Offer To Go Yourself
This falls under the idea of leading by example. You may not necessarily need therapy, but your commitment to getting help might be all the encouragement your friend needs to take the plunge. A lot of people struggle with the idea of going into therapy because they feel weak or ill in doing so. If they see a person they consider “normal” doing it, they might consider going into it themselves. This is especially true if you explain the benefits you’re getting from your therapy sessions. Make the most of this experience, and you might find out you actually did need help all along.
Go Into Therapy Together
If your friend has anxiety, he may not want to go to therapy alone. Just the thought of working with a total stranger may be enough to get him to say no. If you are willing to be there as a support system, your friend might feel more relaxed. Don’t be surprised if you have to do a lot of the talking at first until your friend gets used to the environment.
Provide A Free Solution
If your friend has a problem with paying to talk to someone, secretly pay for his sessions behind his back. This is sneaky, yes, but the goal here is just to get him in the door. You can talk to a therapist about paying in advance, and then just tell your friend that the sessions are free as some sort of promotional offer. You’ll have to come up with a story that seems believable and then stick to it as long as possible.
Don’t Push It
Above all else, you can’t be forceful in trying to get someone else to go into therapy. This has to be his decision. Drop hints and make offers when possible, but don’t overdo it. You don’t want to ruin your friendship because of this.
