Relatable with Allie Beth Stuckey REPLAY | The Dangers of Gentle Parenting, SEL & Empathy | Guest: Abigail Shrier
14 snips
Jun 16, 2025 
Abigail Shrier, author of 'Bad Therapy' and 'Irreversible Damage', dives into the dangers of therapy for children and how it may inadvertently harm family dynamics. She questions the efficacy of gentle parenting, emphasizing that self-centered empathy can stifle children's emotional growth. The conversation also covers the troubling rise of social-emotional learning and its potential to exacerbate anxiety. Shrier challenges the idea that therapy is the key to happiness, urging a re-evaluation of contemporary parenting methods and the implications of therapy culture.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Youth Suffering Despite Therapy
- The rising generation suffers despite unprecedented mental health interventions and therapy access.
- They also show no interest in traditional adult roles like driving, marriage, or parenting.
Therapy's Hidden Harms
- Therapy can cause iatrogenic harm, worsening anxiety and alienation from parents.
- Many therapists either deny these harms or are unaware of them.
Child Therapy Dynamics Differ
- Therapy for children differs from adults due to lack of child autonomy and pushback.
- Therapists pander to children to gain their agreement, potentially creating harmful dynamics.
