Redditor Regrets Letting His Parents Know About His Therapy Appointment After They Thought He Was Only Joking
“It sounds like your parents are the reason you're going to therapy”
One Redditor thought he was just making a harmless joke, until his parents realized he was serious about therapy. That moment turned a simple phone call into an awkward family conversation about mental health, judgment, and support.
The 26-year-old teacher said life has felt heavier since the pandemic, so he booked a therapy appointment on his own. Things stayed calm until he mentioned it to his parents, who did not react the way he expected.
Now he is left wondering whether telling them was a mistake, and the family tension is still hanging in the air.
Here's OP's post
Spart1898The phone call happened because he had to set up a time to help them pick up a couch.
He went through his schedule and disclosed his two upcoming appointments. His dad suddenly joked that OP finally found time to go to therapy.
Spart1898OP’s dad didn’t realize that his joke was the truth and was surprised, along with OP’s mom. They asked him why, and he disclosed the lighter issues he was dealing with instead of the whole truth.
Spart1898
The judgment from both of them highlighted how different OP’s generation is, and it made OP play it off until they stopped.
Spart1898
That joke stopped being funny fast.
The summary of the post
Spart1898
It is understandable for parents to question where they went wrong when they’ve been living their lives thinking...
expespuella
...they’ve been doing right by you, but trying to understand that it’s not always about them can be unfathomable for them.
expespuella
No one even said it was about her, but their immediate reaction is to think they’re being attacked.
TealSwinglineStapler
The mom seemed really guilty about that.
PirateNinjasReddit
His parents clearly took it personally.
People from a different generation made many choices that were only beneficial for their generation, which negatively impacted the environment of the next one.
-my-cabbages
Therapy starts working when you become aware of what you need and are willing to work on that.
last_rights Prolific
If your parents deny you the freedom to seek help for fear of being blamed, then there might be something wrong.
Starkiller_303
This is a passive-aggressive way to help your child.
ChibiSailorMercury
When things go their way, they just stop everything.
ChibiSailorMercury
"Focus on you"
ChibiSailorMercury
He still needs the appointment more than the argument.
It’s a similar mental-health standoff to the OP refusing parents who want to move in during a housing crisis.
If you find a therapist who works for you and invest your effort into making good progress, then there’s a higher chance that you’ll reap great results.
hot_ho11ow_point
You’re already paying for it anyway; you might as well get the best out of it.
hilberteffect
Finding the right person might take time and a couple of trials and errors, but if you persist...
Kitamasu1
...you’ll find someone who clicks.
Kitamasu1
Some parents bring their kids to therapy because they think they need to fix something about them that they can’t.
HarioDinio
Even if the reactions of their kids are very reasonable in response to how they treat them.
firemogle
Parents often look down on healthy ways to get your life...
kuroimakina
...together when they turn to life-impairing coping mechanisms.
kuroimakina
end of comment
kuroimakina
Another commenter thinks the parents missed the point entirely.
This Redditor pointed out the reasons why OP’s parents...
citizenyinz
might have reacted that way and how OP should focus on himself first.
citizenyinz
Parents often become blinded by their own reality and forget that their kids need their love and support. It is understandable that they might think they are being blamed, but what is more important is the next step they take to become the support system their kids need.
Have you had any experience with therapy? We'd like to hear your stories in the comments.
He may need less judgment and more space.
Want the full “therapy for strained parents” verdict, read this AITA about asking resistant parents to try family therapy.
