Teen Refuses to Speak in Family Therapy

Family therapy can be a great way to work through issues and improve communication, but what happens when you’re punished for speaking your mind? One 16-year-old girl found herself in this exact situation, and her solution was to stay completely silent during therapy sessions. Her half-brother followed suit, and the two of them created a tense atmosphere that left their parents and therapist baffled. Let’s dive into this family’s story and see how their silent protest played out. ‍ ‍ ‍

A Dysfunctional Family

Family Therapy Decision

Punished for Speaking Up

Laptops and PCs Confiscated

Realizing the Consequences

The Silent Treatment Begins

Ignoring the Therapist

Parents’ Anger and Therapist’s Struggle

No Punishment This Time

Mum’s Extra Talking Time ️

Feeling Bad for the Therapist

Rude or Justified?

Dad Thinks They’re Sabotaging

The Dilemma

The Silent Idea

A Silent Standoff in Therapy ‍ ‍ ‍

This 16-year-old girl and her half-brother chose to stay silent during family therapy sessions as a way to avoid being punished for speaking their minds. Their silent protest left their parents angry and their therapist struggling to engage them in conversation. While they felt bad for the therapist, they couldn’t risk being punished for sharing their thoughts. Their dad accused them of sabotaging the therapy, but they believe they can’t truly participate if they’re punished for speaking up. Let’s see what people think about this silent standoff… ️

Encouraging response to NTA’s tough situation in therapy

Teen refuses to speak in therapy, gets punished. NTA.

Teen punished for speaking in family therapy. NTA, tough situation

NTA. Don’t let your parents sabotage your therapy progress.

Family therapy fails when parents refuse to self-reflect

Expert therapist explains why teen went silent in family therapy ‍ ‍

Silent teen in therapy with abusive parents gets advice. #NTA

Speak up in therapy or stay silent? Therapist weighs in

Therapy session turns on mother, never returned.

Speaking up in family therapy: How to overcome fear

Therapist is prepared for silence. Request alone time with siblings.

Therapy fail: Punishing honesty defeats the purpose. #NotTheAH

Informing therapist when feeling unsafe to share opinion

Therapy shouldn’t feel like punishment. Parents are the AHs

Therapist may help, NTA. Narcissist vibes from parents ‍♀️

Overcoming therapy obstacles with assertiveness. NTA.

Therapist can help address issues without throwing anyone under bus

Engaging in therapy requires participation from all family members.

Encouraging NTA comment urges teen to speak the truth in therapy

Encouraging response to a troubled teen’s situation

Seeking help is NTA. Individual therapy can provide safe space

Encouraging NTA comment suggests explaining silence to parents for progress

Family therapist should have individual touch points with each member. #NTA

Honesty punished: NTA for not speaking in family therapy

Therapy sabotaged by parents. Call therapist to explain silence. NTA

Silent therapy rebellion with a sneaky twist. #NTA

Consider involving a trusted adult or sibling in therapy discussions ‍

Teen refuses to speak in therapy, NTA suggests parents change.

Advice for teen in family therapy to request private sessions

Speak up in therapy without fear of punishment. NTA.

Teen shares experience with unhelpful family therapy, offers support.

Speak up to your therapist ️ They’re there to help.

Teen in therapy punished for speaking up, NTA. Protect yourself.

Encourage communication in therapy by sharing parental punishment consequences

Therapist suggests focusing on parents in family therapy ‍

Honesty is key in therapy. ️

Supportive comment for a teenager in family therapy

Advice on how to handle therapy confidentiality with frank discussions

Encouraging reply to a troubled teen.

Silence speaks louder than words in unsafe family therapy sessions

Encouraging support for teen in family therapy

Teen in family therapy chooses not to speak. NTA recommends solution.

Silence can speak volumes in family therapy. NTA

Safe space breach leads to silent therapy session. NTA wins.

Honesty is key in therapy, even if it’s hard

Supportive comment suggests sneaky ways to seek help and justice.

Escape ASAP!

Trust issues with therapist? NTA seeks advice on speaking up.

Engaging in therapy without speaking up: coping strategies

Opening up in therapy can be scary, therapist can help

Speaking up gets punished, staying quiet gets no progress. NTA.

Therapist can help. NTA, but tell therapist privately

Teen suggests standing up for themselves in family therapy

Therapist might help. Email her and explain the situation.

Therapist can suggest separate therapy sessions for parents and kids ‍

Don’t punish for speaking out in therapy. NTA

Sharing personal experience and suggesting reaching out to therapist for help.

Teen’s silent treatment in therapy explained with humor

Teen’s silence in therapy justified, NTA

Establishing ground rules in therapy sessions can be therapeutic. ✌️

Breaking the silence: NTA comment encourages OP to take risks

Defending the right to speak up in family therapy

The long-lasting impact of forced silence in therapy

Punishing for speaking in therapy? NTA, parents are TA

Speaking up in therapy is crucial. NTA for being honest.

Prioritizing safety in therapy with dangerous parents. NTA.

Sharing truth with therapist to improve family therapy sessions. ️

Speak up in therapy without fear of punishment. ️

Setting boundaries with family. NTA.

Therapy with abusers is a bad idea. NTA.

Clear cut NTA case, educate on emotional abuse

Passive-aggressive NTA comment about abusive parents and therapy.

Empathetic comment acknowledges no-win situation in ineffective therapy. NTA

Sibling support in family therapy. NTA, let brother speak up

Communicating boundaries in therapy without speaking, NTA.

Supportive comment hopes for satisfying update. NTA

Speak up in therapy, it’s worth the punishment.

Speaking up in therapy is crucial for progress

Encouraging support for teen in family therapy, criticizing parents’ behavior

NTA OP advised to speak up in therapy and express concerns

Speaking up is hard, but communication is key in therapy.