Bad Therapy

Outline

Bad Therapy (2024) questions whether the rapid growth of mental health interventions is helping young people. Journalist Abigail Shrier argues that frequent diagnoses, a constant focus on feelings, and overly protective parenting may leave some children more anxious and less independent. She encourages parents to restore their authority, allow children to face manageable challenges, and build resilience.

• Rapid growth in mental health interventions may not be helping young people, and the book asks readers to question whether it is.
• Frequent diagnoses and a constant focus on feelings may leave some children more anxious and less independent.
• Overly protective parenting can work against children by shielding them from challenges they could handle.
• Parents are encouraged to restore their authority at home instead of handing it over to outside experts.
• Letting children face manageable challenges helps them build resilience and independence.

Abigail Shrier is an American journalist and author who writes about education, parenting, and youth culture. Her work has appeared in The Wall Street Journal, and she writes a widely read newsletter.