Is Therapy Bad for Kids? 5 Reasons Why Abigail Shrier Says Yes

A child sitting in a chair wondering if therapy is bad for kids

Can child therapy actually damage family relationships? Is therapy bad for kids, in general? In Bad Therapy, Abigail Shrier argues that while mental health treatments aim to help children, treating them when it isn’t necessary can cause unintended harm. She discusses five ways therapy can damage young people. Below we’ll look at the five negative consequences of therapy for kids, according to Shrier.

3 Ways Therapy Contributes to Overly Emotional Children

An overly emotional child crying over a broken toy

Do you have an overly emotional child? How does therapy cause children to obsess over their emotions? In therapy, children often reflect on and share their emotions, and parents and educators regularly check on how kids feel. However, Bad Therapy by Abigail Shrier argues that constantly asking children how they feel teaches them to see their emotions as overly important. Keep reading to learn why therapy negatively impacts a child’s emotional intelligence.

How to Raise Resilient Children: 2 Tips for Parents

A father trying to raise a resilient child by talking to them after a bike accident

Do you want your child to be more independent? How can you be an authoritative parent? In Bad Therapy, Abigail Shrier says modern parenting has become too dependent on experts and interventions. To raise more resilient children, Shrier encourages parents to trust their instincts instead of relying on expert opinions. Read below to learn how to raise resilient children who don’t need to be coddled.

Authoritative Parenting Benefits: Raising Capable Children

An authoritative parent disciplining their child at home

What’s authoritative parenting? What are the upsides of parenting with discipline and rules? Abigail Shrier explains that modern parenting has become overly permissive and therapeutic. She encourages parents to adopt a more authoritative parenting style—an approach that combines love with clear rules, high standards, and consistent discipline. Continue reading to learn the authoritative parenting benefits that both you and your child can experience.

How to Promote Independence in Children (Abigail Shrier)

An independent child doing work on their own

How can you promote independence in children? Is there a level of independence that is considered too dangerous for young people? In Bad Therapy, Abigail Shrier writes that children need time away from adult supervision to develop properly. This could mean letting children solve problems on their own or allowing them to participate in activities without your intervention. Here’s how you can push your child to be more independent so they don’t have to rely on you.

Bad Therapy by Abigail Shrier: Book Overview & Takeaways

A woman wearing an orange sweater reading a book

Can mental health treatments ever be harmful for children? What’s Bad Therapy by Abigail Shrier about? In Bad Therapy, Abigail Shrier lays out her argument for why mental health treatments aren’t helping young people. She also discusses how well-intentioned interventions by parents, schools, and mental health professionals can damage youth mental health. Read more in our brief overview of Bad Therapy.

Advice for Young Athletes: A Balanced Approach to Excellence

A smiling young golfer with blond hair, a white and gray cap, and a blue polo shirt illustrates advice for young athletes

What does it take to build a successful athletic career that stands the test of time? How can young athletes avoid burnout while maximizing their potential? In The Unstoppable Athlete, Andrew Simpson shares valuable advice for young athletes about balancing passion with longevity. His insights cover everything from the dangers of early specialization to proven strategies for maintaining motivation throughout an athletic career. Keep reading to discover practical guidance that can help transform athletic ambitions into lasting achievements.

13 Things Mentally Strong Parents Don’t Do—Book Overview

A cartoon image of a woman on a couch in a living room reading a book and smiling.

Why should you let your child experience hardship? How can you prevent your child from acting like a victim? Why shouldn’t you try to cheer your child up when they’re sad? There are countless books telling parents how to give their children the best possible upbringing, but psychotherapist Amy Morin realized that there were few—if any—warning parents about what not to do. That’s why she wrote 13 Things Mentally Strong Parents Don’t Do, describing 13 common mistakes and how to avoid them. Continue reading for an overview of Morin’s game-changing parenting book.

Why You Should Avoid a Perfectionist Parenting Style

A father giving his young daughter a high-five on a plain orange background, representing the avoidance of a perfectionist parenting style

Do you expect your child to get all As in school? Is it good to set high expectations for your child? In her book 13 Things Mentally Strong Parents Don’t Do, Amy Morin says that a perfectionist parenting style is potentially damaging to your child. Mentally strong parents realize that everybody has different strengths and that mistakes are necessary for growth. Here’s why you should encourage your child, but not push them too far.

How to Teach Responsibility to Your Children at a Young Age

A cartoon image of a young boy standing in a clean bedroom while holding a broom, representing teaching responsibilities to your children

Why is teaching responsibility to your children so important? How early should you start? What are the benefits? In her book 13 Things Mentally Strong Parents Don’t Do, psychotherapist and mental strength trainer Amy Morin stresses the importance of instilling a sense of responsibility in your children. Responsible children grow up to be more self-reliant, empathetic, and more. Here’s how to set your child up for success.