Bad Therapy by Abigail Shrier

In this episode of BookBytes, we explore Bad Therapy: Why the Kids Aren’t Growing Up by Abigail Shrier—a provocative and critical examination of how today’s therapeutic culture may be unintentionally harming children. Drawing on interviews, research, and cultural analysis, Shrier argues that the over-therapizing of childhood has led to a generation that is anxious, fragile, and ill-equipped to face real-world challenges.

Key Takeaways – Insights from the Book:

1. Therapeutic Culture Has Taken Over Parenting and Education 

   • Schools and families now rely heavily on therapy-based practices to raise “happy” kids.

   • Normal childhood experiences—like disappointment, conflict, and boredom—are increasingly pathologized.

2. Overemphasis on Feelings Can Undermine Resilience 

   • Constant focus on emotional processing teaches kids to ruminate rather than act.

   • Instead of building problem-solving skills, it encourages helplessness and over-dependence on adults.

3. The “Trauma-Informed” Approach May Cause Harm 

   • Labeling ordinary life events as traumatic can create a self-fulfilling prophecy.

   • Children begin to see themselves as damaged or fragile, even in the absence of actual trauma.

4. Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Has Unintended Consequences 

   • SEL programs, though well-intentioned, may stifle natural social development.

   • Kids become reliant on adult mediation rather than learning to navigate conflict on their own.

5. Overdiagnosis and Overmedication Are Rampant 

   • Common behaviors are increasingly labeled as disorders, with medication as the default solution.

   • This trend can distort development, obscure root causes, and entrench dependency.

6. Therapeutic Parenting Erodes Authority 

   • Parents are often told to prioritize emotional validation over setting firm boundaries.

   • The result: children who are confused about limits, authority, and personal responsibility.

7. Children Need Risk, Responsibility, and Real Challenges 

   • Resilience develops through moderate adversity—like independence, exploration, and failure.

   • Overprotection stunts emotional growth and creates anxiety-prone young adults.

8. Technology Compounds the Problem 

   • Smartphones and social media isolate children further, promote comparison, and increase emotional dysregulation.

   • They reduce face-to-face interaction—crucial for learning empathy, conflict resolution, and connection.

9. Traditional Parenting Wisdom Still Holds Power 

   • Clear expectations, natural consequences, and incremental autonomy help kids develop competence.

   • Parental instinct and experience should not be overridden by expert culture.

10. Restoring Parental Confidence is the Key to Healthier Kids 

    • Parents must reclaim their authority and trust their ability to guide their children.

    • Children flourish when raised by adults who set boundaries, allow struggle, and model confidence—not by therapeutic micromanagement.

Bad Therapy is a bold call to rethink how we raise and educate children in a world increasingly dominated by therapy-speak and emotional coddling. Abigail Shrier challenges the prevailing wisdom of the mental health industry and encourages parents to lead with courage, common sense, and trust in their own judgment.

Enjoyed this episode? Don’t forget to: 

• Leave a 5-star review and subscribe for more transformative book insights. 

Keywords: 

Bad Therapy, Abigail Shrier, youth mental health, therapeutic culture, overdiagnosis, social-emotional learning, parenting authority, resilience, overprotection, trauma-informed education, emotional regulation, child independence, parenting critique, helicopter parenting, modern childhood.