I want to see a therapist. How do I tell my parents?

Tell them how you have been feeling then ask them if you can get put in therapy. Sometimes parents understand that their child needs help and they really want you to feel better. So I suggest going up to your mom or dad and tell them how you have been feeling and give them examples of why you think you need to be in therapy. It is a great way to talk to your parents because they listen to you when you have reasoning for why you want or need something. Sometimes you may think your parents won't listen to you but they will.

I'm glad you are taking the initiative to receive help! One of things I recommend doing is taking an online test for any mental health issue you think you might be struggling with. This can help prove your point if you are scared your parents might doubt you, or not believe you. Next, you have to tell them! If you don't want to physically talk to them, try writing a letter or text explaining it. Here's an example of what you can say: "Hey mom and dad, recently I've been struggling with _______. It has really impacted my life, and I want to help myself cope and get through this. Can we talk to a therapist?" It might be wise to talk to your doctor first, to rule out other illnesses. Then, you might be recommended to a psychologist, psychotherapist, or psychiatrist!

I know some people think therapy is a big deal or should have some weird stigma attached, but it's so common. So many of us see therapists, or manage illness through medication, thank goodness we have these resources and don't have to suffer! Kudos to you for knowing when it's time to seek help. That shows you have a lot of self-awareness. If you had a broken bone, would your parents take you to the hospital? Of course. If you were getting dizzy and fainting every day, and you lost a lot of weight suddenly for no reason, and the school nurse said you needed to get your blood sugar tested and regulated as this was a very serious problem, would your parents take you? Or just let you suffer and pass out every day? They'd get you the help you need. Well, it's the same for mental health. Sometimes, our brains get the mental equivalent of a broken leg. We feel emotional pain and distress that affects our life to an unhealthy degree, and we know we need help. There's nothing "bad" or "wrong" about that, any more than there's anything "bad" about having a broken leg. What's bad is if we neglect it and don't treat it. So, be businesslike. This is not an emotional issue, it's a simple discussion. You can explain: Sometimes in life people of all ages and walks of life struggle with things and it is really helpful to talk them out with an objective professional. It wouldn't make them bad parents if you broke your leg, or if you got the flu, or if you got a poison ivy rash that needed medication. These things HAPPEN to everyone! What's important is whether or not they get you the treatment you need. Your parents might say "We want you to feel comfortable talking to US, why can't you just tell us?" Explain that part of the reason you want to talk to an objective person is to learn how to communicate with them better. Tell them you love them and trust them, but you may sometimes struggle to communicate feelings. They are grown adults with years of experience at this stuff. You're not. You know they want what's best for you, and you feel that a therapist can help you understand that in a way that's easier. It will HELP your relationship, not strain it. Explain that Reassure them. Explain that nothing drastic is going on, you're not in danger of hurting yourself or others, they are great parents and you love them. This isn't about them, and they shouldn't worry. Be businesslike. Explain it as if you were explaining that you had really bad stomach pains that needed attention. You are struggling, it's just that they can't see you physically walking with a limp or doubled over in pain. There is a chance they may say "no". If that's the case, don't freak out. Accept it. Say "I'm sorry you feel that way. I hope you'll reconsider. This doesn't mean I'll be coming to you with my problems - quite the opposite. I feel you're telling me I can't trust you to take care of me when I share a problem with you. I feel hurt and disrespected by this decision. I'm going to my room to think. I'd prefer if you give me space for a while."

Try and think about explaining what's not going well right now, and how seeing a therapist could help. What can a therapist give you that your support system can't? Do you need someone with more knowledge in a certain area? These things may help you communicate your needs better to your parents. If you know there are other factors that may deter them from letting you see a therapist, look into ways to address those - be proactive, and be honest. If it doesn't go well the first time you talk to them, maybe consider doing more research and talking to them again. You got this!

First, remember that they are your parents and they want what’s best for you.. pick a calm day and sit them down. Explain to your parents what’s been going on and how it’s been affecting you or those around you. Explain to them how you have tried to deal with the situation Explain to them whether your efforts have gotten you anywhere or not... explain to them why seeing a therapist is important to you And how you came up with the dedication to see one . If your comfortable, you can ask them to join you for the sessions. I hope this helps

If you are not of age to see a therapist without parental consent, you should have a serious, mature conversation about this with them. Honesty is always the best approach. If they are skeptic, make them understand that you want to seek professional help, that you know it would help you immensely. You know what is best for you when it comes to these feelings. Some parents may feel guilty they are not helpful enough, so reassure them that they have done enough. They simply aren't trained professionals, and you would feel better about yourself if you knew you had this possibility.

I haven't walked a day in your shoes, so I will answer this to the best of my ability to do so. When I first talked to my parents about therapy, I did it later at night for a couple of reasons. One, there would be time to discuss things without any interruptions and two, if I needed to stop the conversation it would have been easier to do so. I would highly recommend googling "therapy benefits" or "reasons to go to therapy" to provide context to your conversation. Also, if you have any friends that currently go to therapy it could be a good idea for you to ask advice from them. Hope that this helped!

It’s really great of you to have decided that you want to see a therapist! You know your parents best, so try to step into their shoes. How would they like being told that, with you still feeling comfortable telling them. And how would they rather not hear it? By thoughtfully telling them and having a real heart to heart conversation, they will see how much you want/need this and your parents love you and they want the best for you and I am sure that they will support you with this. I wish you the best of luck! x

You can be honest of how you are feeling or what you are facing. Most importantly tell them you need help to deal with the (those) issue(s). You can explain why you have considered seeing a therapist and what have you already tried that has worked/not worked. It was hard to say how your parents would react, in some cultures therapy or seeking any kind of help outside the home is not seen good. You can find support from a friend or a close relative. I hope you parents are supportive, you have the right to seek help!

Tell them you're going through some things and that it would be nice to get a professional opinion on how to handle it. If they try to ask what specifically is the problem, give them the most basic answer and tell them you'd like to talk in depth with someone else. It will probably be pretty difficult, depending on how your parents believe you're doing versus how you actually feel. But I think it's a good idea to give it a shot. Tell them its your mental health and your life and they don't have to control every aspect of it