How to Help a Loved One who might need Therapy in Ohio
Watching someone you love struggle is hard and especially when you know therapy could help. Whether it’s anxiety, depression, OCD, or feeling “stuck,” it’s natural to want to guide them toward support. But when you live in Ohio, you might also be wondering how to help them take that first step and find the right therapist nearby. Every state is different but most of them require the client to book themselves.
In this post, we’ll walk through how to gently encourage a loved one to consider therapy, plus practical tips for finding a therapist in Ohio who feels like the right fit.
1. Start With Compassion, Not Pressure
Therapy is a personal decision, and pushing too hard can backfire. It is super important that someone feels as though it is their decision to go to therapy. When it isn’t it can be harmful (I call these “hostage” clients because they don’t want to be there). It’s important that someone builds up their personal agency and automony and feels in control of their own life, including in this area. It can also be insensitive to someone to lead with a solution such as therapy. Instead of leading with “You need therapy”, try opening with care and empathy:
“I’ve noticed you’ve seemed really stressed lately. I care about you and want to help. Tell me what is going on?”
“That sounds so overwhelming. I’m here to listen if you want to talk. Do you want me to offer advice or just listen?”
Creating a safe, judgment-free space for conversation helps your loved one feel heard and can make them more open to the idea of talking to a therapist.
2. Normalize Therapy in Everyday Life
In Ohio and beyond, many people still hold outdated ideas about therapy. They may think it’s only for people in crisis or that it means they’re “broken.” There can also be stereostypes based on gender, especially that men are not allowed to seek therapy or that you should “pull yourself up by your bootstraps” and andle it yourself. You can help by reframing it:
Compare therapy to working with a personal trainer but for your mind. It can be helpful for some to think of a therapist as a “coach” or “consultant”, which means you are a part of the team and this person is helping you on your personal journey. They are coaching you but you are in control.
Share your own experience if you’ve worked with a therapist at all currently or in the past. Just sharing that you have found therapy helpful normalizes it and can encourage them to ask questions about your experience.
Talk about therapy like you would any other form of healthcare. Treat it like going to the dentist or a check up. Encourage them that healthcare for the mind is just as normal as for the body.
When therapy becomes part of everyday conversation, it feels more approachable.
3. Focus on What Matters to Them
Rather than focusing on what’s “wrong,” connect therapy to the life they want to build by helping them identify values:
For someone with anxiety, therapy can help them feel calmer and more confident.
For someone grieving, therapy offers tools to process emotions and heal.
For someone stuck in a rut, therapy can provide clarity and direction.
Making it about their goals and not just their challenges- it helps it feel more empowering.
4. Offer Practical Help in Finding a Therapist
Even if someone is open to therapy, the search process can feel overwhelming. You can make it easier by:
Looking up therapists in their area whether in Columbus, Worthington, or anywhere else in Ohio. Therapists are licensed by state, so if they are open to virtual or driving, they could see a therapist almost anywhere state wide if they are a resident of Ohio.
The best directory tends to be Psychology Today, with the option of filtering by condition, city and state, special treatment approaches, gender, online or in person. Most of the time you can also see videos that show a little about what the therapist is like.
Encourage them to book a few consult calls. Don’t go with the first one you find. Most therapists, like me, offer a FREE consult call where you can chat with them and see if they are a good fit before you dive right in.
Checking their insurance network or out-of-network benefits (you can use Ember & Oak Counseling’s payment page to get started for working with an anxiety therapist in Ohio like me).
Sitting with them while they send an email or make a call or helping them draft the email. You can send them options and a sample of what you might look for or say.
5. Respect Their Timing
Sometimes, people just aren’t ready yet. If they live in Ohio, remind them there are many options — in-person therapy, telehealth sessions, and different types of therapists — and that they can explore when they feel ready. Keep showing up for them without judgment so they know you’re a safe person to turn to.
6. If They’re in Crisis
If your loved one is in immediate danger of harming themselves or others, they need urgent help. In the U.S., you can:
Call or text 988 or use the webchat at 988lifeline.org for 24/7 support.
Text HOME to 741741 to connect with the Crisis Text Line.
If you’re in Franklin County, Ohio, you can also call Netcare Access at 614-276-CARE for 24/7 local crisis response.
Final Thoughts
Encouraging someone to start therapy isn’t about fixing them but it’s about walking alongside them until they feel ready. Your patience, understanding, and gentle guidance can make all the difference.
If your loved one is ready to take the first step, Bethany Johnson at Ember & Oak Counseling in Worthington, Ohio offers compassionate, evidence-based therapy for anxiety, OCD, perfectionism, and more. I see clients both in-person in the Columbus area and virtually anywhere in Ohio.
They can learn more and book a free consultation here: emberoakcounseling.com