Why Are So Many People Turning to Therapy?
A 60-minute session on why therapy has gone from something nobody admitted to something people book on their phones: the parents who don't know, the friends who used to be enough, the cost, the chatbot at 1 a.m., the men who still won't go. Is it progress, a fashion, or a sign of what we've lost? Twelve independent cards; open three or four.
The opening question
When something is really bothering you, who is the first person you actually tell?
Everyone in the room answers this in one line before any card is opened. Write the answers down; you will come back to them.
The cards
12 ways into the topic
Each card is independent. Your group votes on which to open, and four or five is plenty for an hour. Behind every card sit three prompts, one at a time, that only appear once it is opened on the board. Unopened cards keep for next time.
- 1
Telling Parents About Therapy
You've been seeing a therapist for months. It's helping. But when your mum asks where you go every Thursday evening, you say “a friend's place”.
- 2
Therapist Or Best Friend
You had a terrible week. You could call your best friend tonight for free. Or you could pay a stranger to listen for an hour.
- 3
How Our Parents Coped
Your parents had money worries, family fights and hard jobs. Nobody they knew saw a therapist. They just got on with it.
- 4
The Cost Of Therapy
One session costs about as much as a nice dinner out. You'd need one every week. For months.
- 5
Therapy Words In Everyday Talk
Your friend cancels plans and says she's “protecting her peace”. Your cousin calls his ex “toxic”.
- 6
Venting To ChatGPT
It's 1 a.m. and you can't sleep. You don't want to wake anyone. So you open ChatGPT and type out everything that's wrong.
- 7
Telling Someone To Get Therapy
You're in an argument with someone close. In the middle of it, one of you says, “You need therapy.” The room goes quiet.
- 8
Men Going To Therapy
Growing up, you heard “boys don't cry” more times than you can count. Now you're a grown man having a hard time.
- 9
Blaming Your Upbringing
After a few months of therapy, you start seeing your childhood differently. Things that felt normal now look like they hurt you.
- 10
Telling Work About Therapy
You have a therapy session at 4 p.m. on Thursday. You need to leave early. Your manager asks why.
- 11
Why Not Everyone Needs Therapy
Your friend had one bad week and says she's booking a therapist. Your aunt rolls her eyes and says, “In our day, we just got on with it.”
- 12
Going To Therapy Yourself
You've thought about it. Maybe you've even saved a therapist's number. But something stops you from booking the first session.
The line to leave with
If someone you love were carrying exactly what you're carrying right now, what would you tell them to do, and why haven't you done it?
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