Bad Therapy

Why the Kids Aren't Growing Up

De: Abigail Shrier

Narrado por: Abigail Shrier

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER.

From the author of Irreversible Damage, an investigation into a mental health industry that is harming, not healing, American children

In virtually every way that can be measured, Gen Z’s mental health is worse than that of previous generations. Youth suicide rates are climbing, antidepressant prescriptions for children are common, and the proliferation of mental health diagnoses has not helped the staggering number of kids who are lonely, lost, sad and fearful of growing up. What’s gone wrong with America’s youth?

In Bad Therapy, bestselling investigative journalist Abigail Shrier argues that the problem isn’t the kids—it’s the mental health experts. Drawing on hundreds of interviews with child psychologists, parents, teachers, and young people, Shrier explores the ways the mental health industry has transformed the way we teach, treat, discipline, and even talk to our kids. She reveals that most of the therapeutic approaches have serious side effects and few proven benefits. Among her unsettling findings:

• Talk therapy can induce rumination, trapping children in cycles of anxiety and depression
• Social Emotional Learning handicaps our most vulnerable children, in both public schools and private
• “Gentle parenting” can encourage emotional turbulence—even violence—in children as they lash out, desperate for an adult in charge

Mental health care can be lifesaving when properly applied to children with severe needs, but for the typical child, the cure can be worse than the disease. Bad Therapy is a must-listen for anyone questioning why our efforts to bolster America’s kids have backfired—and what it will take for parents to lead a turnaround.

©2024 Abigail Shrier (P)2024 Penguin Audio

Reseñas de la Crítica

"Every parent should read this."—Elon Musk

“Essential reading for parents, teachers, and mental health professionals.”—Richard J. McNally, PhD, professor of psychology at Harvard University

“Shrier persuasively and forcefully demonstrates how mental health professionals (and some parents) often make things worse for the kids and adolescents they aim to help."—Elizabeth Loftus, distinguished professor of psychological science at University of California, Irvine

Compelling

I'm not a book critic at all.
This therapy trend in adolescence was pretty new when I was a kid and I soaked it up at my middle and high schools. while I was having troubles and I do think it helped to talk with somebody, having my own kids has really changed how I see things. I love how the author points to fostering indepence in youth rather than the full focus of our love as parents seeking to disect and direct every emotion of these budding people. It's a solid reminder of how intense life is - experience changes things and we're meant to learn and gain resilience, not be protected from every discomfort. I posted a recommendation on my FB page and promptly received warnings about the author's problematic position as she isn't one to affirm the current social trends. "Phobic" this and "lack of" that. Honestly, as a kid, if somebody other than my dad were to tell me that life is hard occasionally and you've just got to suck it up... it may have helped! 🤷🏼‍♀️

Insightful like surgery to a societal cancer

This book helps pinpoint why so many well-meaning parents and teachers cannot seem to provide healthy environments or even enjoy their own children. The isolation and focus on self and mental illnesses has children over medicated and overanalyzed. She balances her skepticism of therapy with faith in the average parent”s knowledge and devotion. I wish everyone would read this book. It is like cleaning your glasses and seeing the world clearly. She also is a great writer—clear, funny and poetic at times.

changed my entire understanding of being a parent

I've been doing things all wrong, and feel this book woke me and my wife up to our shortcomings that we have since been working feverishly to overcome. I've even noticed positive changes in both kids 4-6. thank you for writing this!

Every parent should read

The common sense we need to hear about raising kids in a child focused society.

A Must Read

If you love your kids read this book! It is insightful and eye opening. All of us have surrendered to culture to some degree. time to right the ship.

Thank You

Raising children is the hardest thing I’ve ever done but certainly the most gratifying. You don’t know if what you’re doing is right or not but you follow your instincts. You better. If you’re wrong or you make a mistake at least you have the peace of mind that you were doing things the way you & your wife thought was best. You coarse correct, talk it over with family, friends, parents with children that you respect, you poke fun at each other for even having these conversations to begin with & you move on. “Now I know why my Grandmother used to whip my ass”, I’ve laughed and said to my wife more times than I can count. In the end you do what you think is right. Thank you for writing a book that makes us feel normal. Not that it necessarily matters. Part of being an adult is knowing I won’t move with the herd all the time or at least the herd that I’m supposed to. But it’s helpful knowing we’re not alone. That our instincts told us to raise children that are resilient, confident, helpful, respectful, strong, humble, loving, skeptical & probably most important, suspicious of anyone claiming to have all the answers. My daughter & I are constantly poking fun at one another. My son & I are always trying to one up each other. Sometimes it puts a strain on our relationship because they want to joke with me when I’m not in a joking mood. But that’s my responsibility to reel it in instantly and quickly when a joke or a poke was given at the wrong time. Anyway, I’m going off on a tangent. My point is I didn’t grow up with my parents. Both of my parents were heroin addicts, both dead by 50, I didn’t have the first clue on raising children or marriage but I’ve done both the way my instincts told me to. I’ve been married almost 20yrs, my children are 14 & 7, my daughter is starting her freshman year at Harvard Westlake thanks to financial aid we received because of her soccer ability. Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think my kid would go to Harvard Westlake. Forget as an athlete but as a student? Harvard Westlake? My son is in second grade and is what we used to refer to back in our day as “all boy”. I just turned 50 in June & when my wife & I walk our dog every evening we talk about our kids, our day, gratitude, our lives & our future. None of it is easy. My marriage is but parenting isn’t. Thank you for making me feel normal. God Bless.

Best Parenting Book I’ve Read

Out of all the parenting books I’ve read, Bad Therapy by Abigail Shrier is by far the most relevant and impactful. It cuts through the noise of modern parenting advice and offers a clear, courageous look at what really helps children thrive emotionally. In today’s climate, it’s not just helpful — it’s essential.

Content

Extremely informed - Shrier hits on so many important issues in schools and provides fundamental parenting tips that seemed to have been lost along the way.

Brings up very valid points

I hope a lot of parents read this book, it's time for change. We need to dobetter as a society. if it's not broken don't fix it!

Every parent should read

I enjoyed the book and understand all the ways information. It also gave me more books I want to read! As an American parent who is in the age group but did spank, even though in the minority, I did feel like at times I was not the intended audience.