Bad Therapy by Abigail Shrier Summary

Bad Therapy critiques modern mental health practices, arguing that over-therapizing, over-medication, and lowered expectations harm children’s resilience. Abigail Shrier investigates how therapeutic interventions, social media, and parenting trends contribute to rising anxiety and delayed adulthood milestones. The book challenges the notion that therapy is universally beneficial for kids, highlighting unintended consequences like emotional fragility.

Parents, educators, and policymakers concerned about children’s mental health trends will find this book provocative. It’s also relevant for therapists seeking to reflect on industry practices. Shrier’s arguments appeal to readers skeptical of mainstream mental health approaches and those interested in fostering resilience in children.

Yes, for its controversial yet evidence-backed critique of child therapy’s pitfalls. While criticized for oversimplification, Shrier’s investigative journalism raises valid concerns about overdiagnosis and therapeutic overreach. The book sparks debate on balancing mental health support with fostering independence, making it a thought-provoking read despite its polarizing stance.

Shrier claims modern therapy often worsens kids’ mental health by:

• Encouraging hyper-focus on emotions and rumination.
• Rewarding emotional suffering while undermining resilience.
• Promoting overdiagnosis of conditions like ADHD and anxiety.
• Lowering parental authority and societal expectations for maturity.

Shrier argues that parents now prioritize emotional validation over teaching grit, often deferring to therapists instead of setting boundaries. Overprotection, “gentle parenting,” and avoidance of discomfort, she claims, leave kids ill-equipped to handle adversity. Examples include shielding children from failure and pathologizing normal developmental challenges.

• Reduce reliance on therapy for non-severe issues.
• Restore parental authority and high expectations.
• Encourage unsupervised play and risk-taking to build resilience.
• Limit social media and smartphone use to curb anxiety.

Shrier accuses many therapists of applying adult-focused methods (e.g., trauma-informed care) to children, despite limited evidence. She argues therapists often pathologize normal behavior, use leading questions that distort kids’ self-perception, and prioritize validation over problem-solving. Case studies describe therapy exacerbating anxiety or creating new insecurities.

Critics argue Shrier:

• Overgeneralizes from anecdotes while dismissing systemic mental health crises.
• Ignores benefits of therapy for severe cases (contradicting her own disclaimer).
• Romanticizes past parenting styles without acknowledging their flaws.
• Fails to address socioeconomic factors influencing mental health.

Shrier ties rising anxiety to smartphone addiction and social media’s curated realities, which amplify insecurities. She notes therapists often reinforce these anxieties by treating them as pathologies rather than encouraging offline resilience-building activities. The book advocates delaying smartphone access to protect mental health.

• “Therapy has become the first resort instead of the last.”
• “Kids need fewer sessions and more skating rinks.”
• “We’re teaching kids to manage emotions they’d otherwise outgrow.”

Like Irreversible Damage (2020), which critiqued teen gender transitions, Bad Therapy challenges mainstream narratives about child development. Both books blend investigative reporting with cultural criticism, though Bad Therapy focuses more broadly on mental health practices rather than gender ideology.

As Gen Z faces record rates of anxiety and delayed adulthood, Shrier’s critique of therapeutic overreach remains timely. The book fuels debates about balancing mental health awareness with fostering independence, making it a key resource for understanding contemporary parenting and education challenges.