Supporting someone in therapy is hard. There’s no doubt about that. Knowing what to do or say, can be tricky, whether that is your child, partner or friend. Even if you’ve been for counselling yourself; when someone you care about is in therapy – it’s different.

Everyone’s experience, and what can lead them to seek counselling is different. But there are some things that you can do to help – which is probably why you’re reading this!

What does supporting someone in therapy look like?

Firstly – the fact that you want to support them through their therapy journey is great. It can be a lonely journey, and knowing that you have support around you can feel good.

Secondly – ask what they need from you, whether it is a lift, someone to vent to, or just to sit with or say nothing at all. You may find that practical help can be really helpful whilst they focus on the heavy lifting of dealing with their emotions.

Practical help could look like:

Text that reads: "supporting someone else in therapy" with a photo to the right depicting a lady in a therapy session

How else can I support someone in therapy?

If someone in your life is struggling with their mental health, or just going through a rough patch – it can be hard to feel as though there’s not much you can ‘do’ or to be able to ‘fix the problem’. One of the things you can do is focus on looking after your wellbeing so that you have the energy and capacity to be there if or when they need extra support.

To maintain your wellbeing you may want to consider widening your social support network, leaning on other friends or family members.

Getting enough rest and exercise is important, along with making time for yourself.

How long will it take?

You may wonder how long your loved one will need to see a counsellor. There is no fixed duration. Some may have a set number of sessions through an organisation, while others may choose private, open-ended therapy.

Typically, my clients start with weekly sessions and taper off as they progress, possibly returning occasionally for short-term needs.

Other important things to remember when someone you care about is seeing a counsellor:

You may have been told by someone, but this does not mean it is public knowledge or that they want to discuss their therapy. Despite my personal and professional belief that therapy is positive, it can still be deeply personal, and some people feel stigma or embarrassment around seeking help.

You can do your best to normalise seeing a counsellor, and you can talk openly about your own experiences – but you can’t make others do that before they are ready to.

So being a welcoming, non-judgemental space, is also a great way of supporting someone else in therapy!

In summary – supporting someone in therapy:

Supporting someone in therapy can be challenging, but there are several ways to help. It’s important to ask what specific support they need, provide practical assistance, and take care of your own wellbeing to ensure you have the energy to be there for them. Remember to respect their privacy and normalize the idea of seeking help.

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