Bad Therapy: Why the Kids Aren't Growing Up

How would a therapist’s perspective differ from Shrier’s? How might such a professional respond to such a scathing critique? Which of her concerns, if any, would be considered reasonable?

Is there an over-reliance on medications for psychological illnesses? Consider the case of ADHD and weigh the arguments on each side.

What stressors do children and adolescents universally face in the 2010s and 2020s in the US? Does Shrier fairly acknowledge these? How might these stressors impact parents’ decisions about granting children independence and allowing risks?

Why is Shrier so disdainful of the focus on feelings? What negative consequences flow from that focus? Alternatively, is there a way to balance feelings with connections to others and a work ethic?

Is Shrier correct to highlight the potential dangers of mental health screening? Does she present a comprehensive picture of the use of mental health screening? How could screenings be improved to address her concerns?

Why have schools adopted social-emotional learning? Why does Shrier object to it? How should these curriculums be evaluated or assessed?

Shrier highlights past scandals in the mental health field, such as lobotomies and repressed memory testimony. How does her account of modern bad therapy compare and contrast to those scandals?

What evidence does Shrier provide to support her allegations about the parenting style of Generation X? How widespread is this parenting style in the US? To the extent it is used, is it as unsuccessful as Shrier maintains?