How to Talk About Therapy to Someone You Care About (Without Making It Awkward)
If you’ve been moved by your time in therapy, felt the impact of having space for you to be exactly as you are, created an unparalleled relationship with your go-to therapist, or saw yourself grow in ways you didn’t expect, it’s only natural to want to share that.
Sometimes, when we’re doing the work ourselves and feeling the impact, it’s tempting to want the people we care about to experience something similar. When someone you care about talks about navigating life, stress, big questions, unknowns, and transitions, you may start to imagine what these conversations can look like with the support of a therapist.
A part of you might be dying to help with a suggestion of working with someone, while another part completely pauses at the thought. Let’s talk about it!
First, it’s so normal to have those fears of sounding too forward, making the relationship awkward, anticipating reactions, and not knowing if recommending mental health support is crossing a line. These are real feelings that can enter the picture, and we’re here to help you navigate conversations in a way that is most comfortable for you and the person you’re talking with.
We’ll talk about everything from how to bring therapy up to ways you can sense if it’s the right time, knowing that it may just open a door to changing that person’s life. This way, you have a toolkit ready if the situation arises, and can shift some of the unease around the topic into confidence that sharing from your personal lens and experience can go a long way in a trusted relationship.
Why is it so hard to talk about therapy?
Therapy is talked about more than ever before:
There was a 45% jump from 2019 to 2022 in the number of young adults between the ages of 18 and 26 who received some type of mental health support
85% of people express that they were more open to therapy as of 2024 than they were 5 years prior
81% of U.S. adults in 2025 were comfortable talking with friends about their mental health.
While this makes us so happy to see, it can still feel surprisingly uncomfortable to bring it up. That slight moment of second-guessing or internal debate usually comes from not knowing exactly how it may turn out, which can be extremely disorienting for our nervous system. At the same time, that doesn’t mean it’s necessarily the wrong choice.
It’s normal to start asking yourself:
What if this comes across the wrong way?
What if they feel pressured to change or dismissed?
What if I make things feel heavier?
What if they’ve tried before and didn’t like their experience?
What if I trigger an insecurity in them?
When your mind starts going with these questions, know that it’s a sign you’re attuned to the relationship, and there’s nothing wrong with that. For many high-functioning and thoughtful adults, there seems to be this belief that therapy is an option when things feel completely out of control.
That’s why even if you know that it’s a place you can go any time to maintain healthy patterns or grow, you can understand that some people hear the suggestion to therapy as “you aren’t doing well, you need to be fixed.”
These conversations can be vulnerable and require care, but when you can share in a way that honors the person you’re speaking to's choice and unique perspective, it can be a rewarding way to show up and feel more connected (whether they choose to step toward therapy or not).
We’ll talk about some examples of that next.
Common conversation barriers and how to feel more comfortable
We completely see you in any pause that comes up when you imagine how to talk about therapy to someone you hold close. That’s why it may help to name these very real barriers to having this conversation, giving each its own space, and to talk about ways to build comfort when it feels right and available to you.
Barrier 1: Wondering if things need to be “bad enough” to suggest therapy
Sometimes we bring up therapy with someone without knowing how they view it, which can be intimidating. The risk may cross your mind that for some people, therapy may equate to things being “so bad” that they need help and can potentially mislabel their experience.
It can stop you in your tracks if you’re afraid of implying a struggle, coming across as judgmental, or misunderstanding the extent of their experience. Therapy has a history of being labeled as crisis-based or a last resort, so it makes sense that you’d be unsure how the perception of others will play a role despite your own experiences.
An empowering reframe to get curious about:
Even with assumptions in place that we can’t anticipate, it can be helpful to name the stigmas that may exist and reframe what you mean by therapy as you bring it up.
For example:
“I used to think therapy was for big problems, but it’s felt really nice to use it as a place I can think out loud and process the week and how I’m feeling without needing a set challenge to solve for.”
“I really love the support I feel in therapy without expectations of how I’m showing up.”
“Therapy is my safe space to reflect, I always learn something new about how I see myself and the world in a way I can’t really land on when I’m in the go-go-go of my week.”
“I realized after a few sessions that I deserve this type of support and understanding, and it’s kind of like self-care for me, the same way as eating well.”
Barrier 2: Fear of saying it the “wrong” way
Typically, the conversation about therapy or offering support to a loved one comes during or after a heavy conversation in which they’re expressing the stress load, inner experiences, or outer circumstances that are weighing on them. This can increase your sensitivity to word choice or the pressure to say it right.
You may also worry that suggesting therapy can come across as saying “stop talking to me about your challenges and go talk to a professional.” While this isn’t at all what you mean, it can definitely cause a barrier inside.
Wanting to suggest therapy in a way that lands means you care deeply, and it can trigger a moment of uncertainty. That internal experience can look like rehearsing the sentence in your head first, waiting for an opening, or avoiding the conversation if it’s feeling way too uncomfortable.
An empowering reframe to get curious about:
One way to feel ease within yourself and create that feeling for your loved one is to start from a place of presence. It might not make sense to lead with therapy if you haven’t first had the opportunity to communicate that you see the person fully. It can also be really helpful to lead with your concerns from a place of honesty, showing how much you do care about not sending the wrong message. It can ease your nervous system and set the tone for being heard.
For example:
“I am always here for you and you have a safe space to talk with me, AND I would love to see you supported in the therapy experience like I have been.”
“I feel that weight you’re carrying with this, and I know therapy isn’t for everyone, but I’m getting really curious about if that could be a point of relief for you.”
“That situation is so complex, and it makes sense that you’re feeling it. This always makes me feel a little bit weird, but if you’d like to hear anything about the way therapy has really helped me in similar ways, I’m always here as a resource.”
“I’m sitting with you in this right now and feeling that pull to help in any way I can because I want to see you happy. One of the things I can’t stop thinking about is if a therapy space could feel good for you right now.”
Barrier 3: Worry about overstepping or crossing a boundary
A hesitation can often come from respect for the relationship and a fear that if you don’t normally talk about these things or aren’t as close to the person, they may take the therapy suggestion as an overstep. Acknowledging others' boundaries is admirable and helps us build secure relationships, so it makes sense that you’d wonder how to balance being helpful to a friend or family member in need without feeling intrusive.
An empowering reframe to get curious about:
An anchor in these conversations that can help shift the delivery from a diagnosis or intervention to a vulnerable moment of sharing in the feelings and offering what helped you is to speak from your experience. By leading with what you have worked through or gained in therapy or another mental health support tool, you can open up a deeper level of connection and invite your loved one to do the same. If they choose to put up a boundary after the topic is brought up, you can always respond respectfully by honoring that boundary.
For example:
“When I was feeling like every day was dark and I was living minute by minute, my therapist was actually the one who helped me reflect on what I was really needing.”
“Sometimes when I’m feeling overwhelmed and grasping for hours in the day, my therapy hour is the time I get to let my guard down, and it’s helped me see how important that is for my system.”
“I know a lot of people feel differently about therapy. I was so hesitant about asking for support, but I was blown away at how well my therapist can see me for exactly as I am.”
Barrier 4: Fear that offering therapy will be seen as overreacting
Another fear that may come up around the stigma of therapy being only for severe cases or issues is that it will be seen as overreacting, being dramatic, or making something bigger than it feels to the person you’re talking to. For example, a friend may say they are not happy in their marriage and feel they can’t break out of their conflict cycle. You might immediately want to share how impactful your couples therapy sessions have been, but pause, fearful that they may see it as you turning their casual vents into a bigger problem in the marriage.
An empowering reframe to get curious about:
Opening the topic of therapy with a gentler check-in can help you avoid assumptions and make your friend or loved one feel more understood. Instead of jumping right to suggesting therapy, you can ask directly how they feel about that type of support and gauge their comfort level. It can also help to lead with the value of therapy as a more proactive approach that doesn’t have to wait until things feel like they are falling apart.
For example:
“Do you feel like you can still manage everything, or would it be helpful to invite someone into your corner like a therapist or coach to take some of the weight off?”
“Have you ever talked to your husband about taking a proactive step with couples therapy? I wonder how that would feel for you to have space to work through this.”
“I know everyone has a different view, and I’m wondering how you feel about therapy? Is that something you’ve ever tried or had curiosity about?”
How to show respect when someone is not interested
We may think the goal of talking about therapy is getting your loved one to agree, find a therapist, and book a session. Reframing it simply as opening a new door they may not have considered, and as a steady resource they can count on as they’re considering what they want to do, can be a powerful way to release pressure around the conversation.
In many cases, people may appreciate being able to have a vulnerable conversation and know that someone they trust has a referral they can access when they’re ready. In others, you may hear a clear signal of disinterest. If your friend or loved one says they do not want to be in therapy, had a past bad experience that stuck with them, or is not open to that type of support, the best thing you can do is respect that.
Someone telling you that therapy isn’t for them doesn’t make your suggestion wrong, and it doesn’t make the individual wrong either for not being in a place to want help in that way. We can trust that each of us knows what we need and our comfort levels to talk about certain topics, and there are many ways to show appreciation for the honesty you receive without making the conversation awkward.
A few ways to show respect for a boundary around therapy:
“That makes sense. I trust you to know what feels right for you.”
“If you ever want to talk about it again, I’m here.”
“I’m so grateful that you’re being honest about that, and I respect your decision.”
“Support can look so many different ways, and this doesn’t have to be one of them for you. You know I’m always here for anything that feels more aligned to what you need.”
“I hear you completely, and we can absolutely leave it at that. If you ever want to revisit, I’m right here.”
Questions that may come up as you talk about therapy
Starting the conversation about therapy with someone else is the first step. From there, it’s all about being authentic and sharing from your experience to support them in making the decision that feels best. You may also get questions about our practice, so we’ve outlined a little cheat sheet below with key insights that many individuals ask our team when they’re getting started.
What is counseling like at Modern Therapy?
We believe in humanity, and honoring the full experience of living this thing we call life by making use of every resource possible. That means that in the joyous, awe-inspiring, painful, and confusing times, you’re met exactly where you are, knowing you have a team dedicated to walking alongside you.
The therapeutic relationship is the heartbeat of Modern Therapy. We want everyone to feel an authentic connection to their therapist or coach, knowing they are understood and supported with interventions that align with who they are and their life right now. We’re all about offering a therapy process that emphasizes genuine support, non-judgment, and a secure space to process.
While every client’s experience is so different, you can expect to gain insight through self-exploration and scientifically validated skills to become your most actualized self. Everything you share stays within the room, so you can speak your mind without hesitation, knowing every part of you is welcome, heard, and cared for here.
Get ahead of the conversation and questions: AI and Therapy: Can Tech Really Replace Human Connection?
When should you get curious about the therapy process?
Everyone’s process looks a little bit different depending on what’s happening in their lives and the reason they’re seeking therapeutic support. You might find that you need space to talk to someone when stress becomes overwhelming for your typical coping skills to handle. You may also be feeling a bit stuck or lost as life throws curve balls and want to feel like you’re not alone in navigating what that means for you.
There’s no wrong time to see all the options available for you to care for yourself, and you don’t even need to know exactly what would be the most helpful when you reach out. Our admin team is available through email, text, and phone calls to really hear you and understand your goals in therapy, then guide you to the best next steps.
What should I know about therapy techniques?
You may have a few approaches in mind that spark curiosity or know nothing about therapy techniques at all. Every therapist at Modern Therapy is trained to listen, understand, and attune to you on a deep, authentic level. That’s what helps us get to the root of any challenges or barriers and bring out the most aligned combination of empirically validated techniques and research for your emotional growth.
How do I determine the best fit therapist for me?
We listen closely from the very beginning to help you find someone who has the passion and skillset to honor your story and hold a safe space for you. We may match you with the best fit therapist, coach, or both based on what you’re looking for.
We also welcome you to share whether you work well with certain personality types or any ideas you have for finding a strong partner for your therapy journey.
You can explore the whole team of coaches and therapists here to get to know us and take the first steps.
Do I have to live in Texas to work with the Modern Therapy team?
You don’t have to live in Texas to work with Modern Therapy, and there are many ways to work with us based on what you’re looking for. While many people choose to work with our Texas-licensed therapists in both of our Houston offices in person, we also have several PYSPACT-licensed psychologists who can see clients out of state, as well as a team of coaches who can see clients online from anywhere.
Our team can guide you on availability and options based on your location.
Does Modern Therapy offer coaching?
We offer coaching, which can be a great option to supplement the therapy experience with additional or niche support, or for those easing into working with a professional to support their overall health.
Our team of certified coaches is all about co-creating an energetic space for tailored, powerful questions that unlock people's inner awareness and open them to the bigger picture of life. That guidance can bring clarity and tangible steps toward designing the life experience you want to see.
And while coaching isn’t therapy (we won’t get into diagnosis or clinical treatment), it's creative problem solving that naturally complements the therapeutic space. We collaborate, consult weekly, and can refer to therapists on the team if extra support is needed. Think of it as a team of support surrounding you, each of us helping you create a life that feels intentional, grounded, and very you.
Can Modern Therapy support couples?
We absolutely support couples through both couples therapy and relationship coaching. Sometimes, partners at any phase of their relationship need a dedicated space to focus on the connection they want most, or to identify patterns that feel ready to shift, even if you’re not sure how.
We love to create this space with a non-judgmental, deeply passionate therapist or coach, depending on your needs, so you can set goals, understand one another, align on what life can feel like together, co-parent effectively, express your needs, and feel seen.
Learn about the difference between coaching and therapy for couples: What is Relationship Coaching? Empowering Growth-Minded Couples
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