As a mental health counselor that is harsh and judgmental person when it comes to anything said about my profession. I agree with 90% of the book. Thats high praise :)
People need to make sure their therapist isn’t insane.
I listened to both podcasts with Jordan Peterson and Joe Rogan. Rogan is a much better listener and asks more thoughtful questions (in my opinion). Excited to read the book. I loved your first book.
As an almost 60 year old ex-teacher, mother of 3 and grandmother of 2 I agree with all you are saying. Now to help my Gen Z/ Millennial daughter-in-laws and sons make the time to read the book and listen. They already had tried to label my 2 year old grandson and were taking him to “therapy” for what a therapists claimed was “OT” because of his mother having Covid when she was pregnant with him. 🙄 After 6 weeks of them being in our home through the holidays last Nov/Dec I finally just had to say, “This little boy is a normal 2 year old who needs boundaries and authority in his life. He’s trying to be the boss and you are letting him. “ It is ridiculous that there are therapists out there labeling kids and teaching them at 2 to say “they feel sad”, instead of obeying the house rules. The therapist encouraged rolling on balls and stretching exercises to help him learn how to obey. What the heck? This gentle parenting/therapy excuse is out of control!!
Hope the truths in your book will be heeded! My daughter who is a senior in college told me last week she needed to go with her friend to the post office to mail a package because her friend had too much anxiety and was afraid to go to the post office alone. What in the world?? The fragile minds of most teens and early 20’s is astounding. Our daughter studied abroad her senior year of high school. However, I don’t think many of her college friends couldn’t do that now as young adults.
As a psychology PhD candidate (adolescent gender dysphoria), there are no words to convey how desperately this book is needed. It's a horror and a joy to read all at once.
I read Bad Therapy very soon after its release, and for once, I am ahead of the trend! It was a really great book and one that I think is incredibly important to read.
My husband & I could not put this book down. THANK YOU for explaining how we lost our 31 year old son. Your book was so validating of our parenting style: lovingly but firmly setting boundaries, teaching responsibility, respecting elders, etc. Then he went to college & was taught that was "emotional abuse" & hasn't spoken to us in years. Textbook behavior from that generation.
God bless you for exposing schools & SEL & all of it. Homeschooling is the only way thru. We learned too late w our older son, but wound up homeschooling our youngest & he's healthy, happy, & owns his own business. And finds the behavior of his brother utterly ridiculous.
Thank you! Wishing you ALL the success with this book!
In (overly) simplistic terms, for the sake of brevity, my parents’ generation was often beaten. (I’m 65). We were often spanked. We didn’t spank our kids, but used “punishments” like Time Outs or denial of privileges. Then it totally flipped over time with the kids being given the power and “wisdom”. Parents want the child’s approval, not vice versa. The kids are simultaneously arrogant and unmoored. No wonder so many are mentally ill. Children need rules, boundaries and told that often they just have to figure things out on their own and sometimes they’ll fail and so what, we all do. Safetyism, both physical and emotional is devastating to kids (and adults). It’s paralyzing and life limiting. But, it’s institutionalized policy now.
Caught your Rogan episode . Must see for sure. It seems as though these crisis of the explosion of transgender / dysphoria in children and now your latest work have common themes. In a Venn diagram they would likely intersect at victimhood and money . Pathetic really . At any rate Bravo once again Abigail
I have enjoyed your various interviews on the subject of your book. Although funny enough, they all came out around the same time. So I was listening to nothing but you being interviewed for a week straight.
As someone who has been on the receiving end of therapy that actually did help somewhat, I understand why people want to believe it helps. Because for many it does, but I think like anything it becomes counterproductive at some point.
Eventually you have to do the work yourself without assistance. Live without a tightrope.
I'm halfway done and it's very good. I have 5 kids and my Gen Z kids are doing great -- it's my younger millennial (28) who is struggling and has been going to therapy for 5 years. Literally, ALL of her friends have been in or are in therapy (they are all between 26-35). I took her once to a therapist as a young teen because she begged me -- and she had always struggled with social anxiety (she still doesn't like large crowds -- I think this is normal for a more introverted personality and a minor health issue she had when she was in elementary school that made her self-conscious.) But when the therapist wanted to drug her I said no, so that was it. No more therapy. She learned using practical life skills to battle her social anxiety, went to college, has a full-time job. BUT she started going to therapy and now is trapped because to get the drugs (I am so mad about this) she has to go to therapy monthly. She has been convinced by the therapist that she needs anti-depressants and Adderall. But she's an adult and lives 2500 miles away and while we talk nearly every day, this is an off-limit subject. :(
What a sigh of relief it is to finally read the truth laid out end-to-end like this, backed with solid research (and such a good read too)! I am myself an author of an upcoming book for adults who never received help that *worked* for the very real problems that stem from abuse and neglect in their childhood -- not as a child, and not as an adult. It's a dirty secret that everything your insurance covers (if you have insurance) has no real record of efficacy for healing the effects of trauma. The claims that providers are "trauma-informed" could mean just about anything -- including a blithe confidence that talking (and talking) about what happened will somehow help your present day life. I had serious, untreated PTSD at the time I finally quit therapy, and luckily, survived to figure out a better, more practical way to recover and put my life together, focused on mastering re-regulation, stopping trauma-driven behaviors and taking steps to support onoing positive changes in one's life.
You should have seen the hateful and dismissive comments I received (at first) from therapists and doctors when I first began teaching my approach on YouTube. They would literally say I had no right to heal myself or teach others. They are coming around though by the thousands, because the need for common-sense life healing is greater than ever, and the shortcomings of the "feelings" craze are lying all around us in city streets.
I have anxiously awaited the release of this book. I accidentally ordered two copies but I am happy to have both so that I can loan them out. I have finished the book and listened to a bunch of the interviews. Thank you so much for all the hard work you put in to provide us with this excellent, timely, and important book. After reading your first book i am not surprised to find this one every bit as good. As the mother of a 13 year old girl I already feel more grounded and confident in the way I am raising my daughter. You remind me to just keep trusting my heart and stick with a common sense (and not very modern)parenting style. So far it’s working…. She’s doing fantastic ! I can hardly wait to hear what your next book subject will be.
As a mental health counselor that is harsh and judgmental person when it comes to anything said about my profession. I agree with 90% of the book. Thats high praise :)
People need to make sure their therapist isn’t insane.
I listened to both podcasts with Jordan Peterson and Joe Rogan. Rogan is a much better listener and asks more thoughtful questions (in my opinion). Excited to read the book. I loved your first book.
As an almost 60 year old ex-teacher, mother of 3 and grandmother of 2 I agree with all you are saying. Now to help my Gen Z/ Millennial daughter-in-laws and sons make the time to read the book and listen. They already had tried to label my 2 year old grandson and were taking him to “therapy” for what a therapists claimed was “OT” because of his mother having Covid when she was pregnant with him. 🙄 After 6 weeks of them being in our home through the holidays last Nov/Dec I finally just had to say, “This little boy is a normal 2 year old who needs boundaries and authority in his life. He’s trying to be the boss and you are letting him. “ It is ridiculous that there are therapists out there labeling kids and teaching them at 2 to say “they feel sad”, instead of obeying the house rules. The therapist encouraged rolling on balls and stretching exercises to help him learn how to obey. What the heck? This gentle parenting/therapy excuse is out of control!!
Hope the truths in your book will be heeded! My daughter who is a senior in college told me last week she needed to go with her friend to the post office to mail a package because her friend had too much anxiety and was afraid to go to the post office alone. What in the world?? The fragile minds of most teens and early 20’s is astounding. Our daughter studied abroad her senior year of high school. However, I don’t think many of her college friends couldn’t do that now as young adults.
As a psychology PhD candidate (adolescent gender dysphoria), there are no words to convey how desperately this book is needed. It's a horror and a joy to read all at once.
I am listening to the audio version of the book and buying 6 copies to give to school board members in my county.
I read Bad Therapy very soon after its release, and for once, I am ahead of the trend! It was a really great book and one that I think is incredibly important to read.
My husband & I could not put this book down. THANK YOU for explaining how we lost our 31 year old son. Your book was so validating of our parenting style: lovingly but firmly setting boundaries, teaching responsibility, respecting elders, etc. Then he went to college & was taught that was "emotional abuse" & hasn't spoken to us in years. Textbook behavior from that generation.
God bless you for exposing schools & SEL & all of it. Homeschooling is the only way thru. We learned too late w our older son, but wound up homeschooling our youngest & he's healthy, happy, & owns his own business. And finds the behavior of his brother utterly ridiculous.
Thank you! Wishing you ALL the success with this book!
In (overly) simplistic terms, for the sake of brevity, my parents’ generation was often beaten. (I’m 65). We were often spanked. We didn’t spank our kids, but used “punishments” like Time Outs or denial of privileges. Then it totally flipped over time with the kids being given the power and “wisdom”. Parents want the child’s approval, not vice versa. The kids are simultaneously arrogant and unmoored. No wonder so many are mentally ill. Children need rules, boundaries and told that often they just have to figure things out on their own and sometimes they’ll fail and so what, we all do. Safetyism, both physical and emotional is devastating to kids (and adults). It’s paralyzing and life limiting. But, it’s institutionalized policy now.
Caught your Rogan episode . Must see for sure. It seems as though these crisis of the explosion of transgender / dysphoria in children and now your latest work have common themes. In a Venn diagram they would likely intersect at victimhood and money . Pathetic really . At any rate Bravo once again Abigail
I have enjoyed your various interviews on the subject of your book. Although funny enough, they all came out around the same time. So I was listening to nothing but you being interviewed for a week straight.
As someone who has been on the receiving end of therapy that actually did help somewhat, I understand why people want to believe it helps. Because for many it does, but I think like anything it becomes counterproductive at some point.
Eventually you have to do the work yourself without assistance. Live without a tightrope.
Congratulations Abigail. It's an important book and beautifully written. As a teacher and parent, I pray that your book is widely read.
Wow, you couldn't ask for better reviews. Congratulations, and thank you for writing this much-needed book.
I'm halfway done and it's very good. I have 5 kids and my Gen Z kids are doing great -- it's my younger millennial (28) who is struggling and has been going to therapy for 5 years. Literally, ALL of her friends have been in or are in therapy (they are all between 26-35). I took her once to a therapist as a young teen because she begged me -- and she had always struggled with social anxiety (she still doesn't like large crowds -- I think this is normal for a more introverted personality and a minor health issue she had when she was in elementary school that made her self-conscious.) But when the therapist wanted to drug her I said no, so that was it. No more therapy. She learned using practical life skills to battle her social anxiety, went to college, has a full-time job. BUT she started going to therapy and now is trapped because to get the drugs (I am so mad about this) she has to go to therapy monthly. She has been convinced by the therapist that she needs anti-depressants and Adderall. But she's an adult and lives 2500 miles away and while we talk nearly every day, this is an off-limit subject. :(
What a sigh of relief it is to finally read the truth laid out end-to-end like this, backed with solid research (and such a good read too)! I am myself an author of an upcoming book for adults who never received help that *worked* for the very real problems that stem from abuse and neglect in their childhood -- not as a child, and not as an adult. It's a dirty secret that everything your insurance covers (if you have insurance) has no real record of efficacy for healing the effects of trauma. The claims that providers are "trauma-informed" could mean just about anything -- including a blithe confidence that talking (and talking) about what happened will somehow help your present day life. I had serious, untreated PTSD at the time I finally quit therapy, and luckily, survived to figure out a better, more practical way to recover and put my life together, focused on mastering re-regulation, stopping trauma-driven behaviors and taking steps to support onoing positive changes in one's life.
You should have seen the hateful and dismissive comments I received (at first) from therapists and doctors when I first began teaching my approach on YouTube. They would literally say I had no right to heal myself or teach others. They are coming around though by the thousands, because the need for common-sense life healing is greater than ever, and the shortcomings of the "feelings" craze are lying all around us in city streets.
I have anxiously awaited the release of this book. I accidentally ordered two copies but I am happy to have both so that I can loan them out. I have finished the book and listened to a bunch of the interviews. Thank you so much for all the hard work you put in to provide us with this excellent, timely, and important book. After reading your first book i am not surprised to find this one every bit as good. As the mother of a 13 year old girl I already feel more grounded and confident in the way I am raising my daughter. You remind me to just keep trusting my heart and stick with a common sense (and not very modern)parenting style. So far it’s working…. She’s doing fantastic ! I can hardly wait to hear what your next book subject will be.
Fantastic!! The damage therapists did to my daughter is awful. Luckily my sons kept away from them and they are doing just wonderfully.
Excellent reviews 👏👏👏 No. 1 for a reason….outstanding work and dedication.