If your partner is depressed, then you might feel stuck.

While you think they’d benefit from therapy, convincing them of this may be somewhat of a challenge.

Not only does your partner have to acknowledge that there is a problem, but also that they have to get past a few other obstacles.

The financial price of therapy, for example, often sways people away from getting the help they need. Also, deciding which therapist to seek can feel more overwhelming than a lot of people realize.

There are a few ways to help convince your partner hat therapy is the way to go. How?

Consider the follow ideas.

Remind Them of How It Use to Be

You’re not the only one who remembers how life was before depression weighed heavy on your partner. Most likely, they know very well that life was better before this negative feeling descended upon them.

Take advantage of opportune moments to reminisce with your partner about how life was before. Kindly express a longing for that life to be your norm once again. You might even go as far as to tell them you miss the person they used to be.

Be sure, though, to reassure them of the love you still feel for them. After all, you’ve committed to sticking by each other through thick and thin. When you partner is depressed, they need you to be empathetic.

Choose Compassion Over Judgment in Your Approach

You send an indirect message to your partner when you suggest therapy. Although your intentions are pure—you want to help them—it still sends your partner a message that you want them to change.

You can imagine that this confrontation of sorts could make your partner feel offended or even rejected. To help make it easier to swallow, make sure you approach the subject with compassion rather than judgment.

The message of “you’re not good enough for me” isn’t exactly the epitome of being a supportive partner.

Furthermore, should they decide to attend therapy of their own accord, avoid an “I told you so” moment. They have to want to change or it’s all for naught. So, accept your partner’s chosen pace.

Do Your Homework to Eliminate Overwhelm

When it comes to choosing a therapist, the process can be overwhelming to a person struggling with depression. So, do the homework for them.

With insurance card in hand, research in-network providers. Eliminate sticker shock for your partner by locating practices who work on a sliding scale. You can even go as far as to call and interview therapists to whittle the choices down to just a handful.

In the end, make sure you keep the options simple for your partner. Rather than choosing from a long list of therapists, introduce your partner to a few you think would fit best.

Compare Cost of Therapy to Cost of Problem

Another positive pro-therapy strategy actually has to do with overcoming a common financial predicament. Many people don’t think that the price of therapy is worth it. They either don’t think the problem is bad enough or else they don’t value their mental health enough.

No matter the case, try presenting an insightful comparison to your partner. Compare the short-term cost of therapy to the long-term cost of the problem. You can even point out how much it’s costing you to maintain your partner’s coping mechanism.

Obviously, when your partner is depressed, they’re less productive than usual. Whether the declined productivity manifests itself at home or at work, it’s undoubtedly impacting you both negatively. Once pinpointed, remedying that problem is often a selling point for therapy, too.

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If you’d like to talk about you or your partner’s struggle with depression, I’m here to help. I’d be happy to offer my support as you try to help your partner overcome their depression and reach mental health goals for a joyful future.