When someone you care about starts therapy, your support can make a real difference. You don’t need to be their therapist—you just need to be present, respectful, and patient. Here’s how:
1. Respect Their Process
Therapy takes courage and time. Don’t treat it like something to “fix.” Your patience is one of the best gifts you can give.
2. Ask Better Questions
Swap pressure-filled questions with open ones:
- Instead of “Did therapy help?” → Try “How are you feeling after your session?”
- Instead of “Are you better yet?” → Try “What’s been on your mind lately?”
This creates space without pushing.
3. Protect Confidentiality
Let them share what they want, when they want. Don’t dig for details. Just being available shows you care.
4. Affirm Their Strengths
Notice and reflect their progress:
- “I admire how committed you are to your growth.”
- “It takes a lot of courage to face what you’re working through.”
Specific and genuine affirmations boost confidence.
5. Honor Boundaries
They may need time alone after sessions or limits on advice. Respect those requests—it’s not rejection, it’s healing.
6. Show Support in Everyday Ways
Offer practical help, include them in normal activities, and celebrate small wins. Sometimes just sitting together in silence is enough.
7. Take Care of Yourself Too
Supporting someone in therapy can stir up your own emotions. Keep your self-care strong and remember: you’re not responsible for their healing.
Moving Forward Together
When you support someone in therapy with respect, boundaries, and genuine care, you're strengthening your relationship and contributing to a culture where seeking help is courageous rather than shameful.
Your loved one's therapeutic journey is ultimately their own, but your supportive presence can be a source of strength along the way. By asking thoughtful questions, respecting their privacy, celebrating their strengths, and honoring their boundaries, you become part of their healing story in the most meaningful way possible.
At Peck Counseling, we see daily how the love and support of friends and family can enhance the therapeutic process. Your role is not to be their therapist, but to be their person—someone who sees their worth, believes in their capacity for growth, and walks alongside them with patience and love.
Remember, every person's journey toward wellness is unique, and there's no timeline for healing. By offering your support with empathy and respect, you're contributing to something truly transformative: a life where your loved one can embrace their full potential for resilience, growth, and joy.
