Today’s newsletter features an interview with Dr. Brian Licuanan, a psychologist and speaker who specializes in the areas of insomnia, substance use disorder and family crisis intervention, specifically helping individuals and families who may be struggling to support a loved one who is resistant to help or treatment. 

Over many years of helping families navigate this challenging dynamic, Dr. Brian began noticing patterns within the process, and in this interview, he shares some of his accumulated findings, including: 

• the influence of difficult emotions such as fear and guilt,

• the importance of validation,

• how everyone in the family system should commit to an equal share in the change process,

• why moving toward discomfort is often a key to change, and

• strategies for setting healthy boundaries, including what Dr. Brian terms “assertive love”.

Where to find Dr. Brian: drbrianlicuanan.com

Check out a preview of Dr. Brian’s book, How to Get Your Resisting Loved One into Treatment, here.

Additional Takes on Supporting Loved Ones Resistant to Help

“What to do when they don’t want help” via Mental Health America

“When You’re Worried About a Friend Who Doesn’t Want Help” via the JED Foundation

“4 Steps To Help Someone When They Don't Want It” via Psychology Today