Ever feel like friendships were easier when you were younger? You’re not imagining it. As adults—especially as therapists—life pulls us in different directions, making deep connections harder to maintain.
Want to get my emails? My pen-pals get all the good stuff! https://balanced-thunder-281.myflodesk.com/drjenb I write back :)
In this episode, I’m breaking down why adult friendships take more effort, how loneliness intersects with burnout and depression, and what we can do to build meaningful relationships—even when it feels impossible.
What You'll Learn in This Episode:
- How loneliness impacts both clients and therapists
- The challenges of treating physiological depression and how it intersects with burnout
- Why adult friendships require more intentional effort than childhood friendships
- The role of proximity, chemistry, and timing in forming lasting connections
- How technology and the rise of smartphones have reshaped social interactions
- Practical strategies for initiating and sustaining adult friendships
- The importance of shifting perspectives from rejection to logistics when making social connections
March Preview:
- Next week features a therapist interview (guest TBA)
- March is National Brain Injury Awareness Month, and Jen will explore the concept of "overwhelmed brains"
- As a certified brain injury specialist, Jen will share insights from her work in neuropsychology and burnout prevention
Key Takeaways:
- Depression can make social connection feel impossible, even for therapists who encourage it in clients.
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is often used for depression, but co-occurring issues like anxiety and trauma complicate treatment.
- Adult friendships don’t happen as effortlessly as childhood friendships due to shifting life demands.
- The "great scattering," a term coined by Mel Robbins, describes how careers, families, and other responsibilities pull people away from close friendships.
- Instead of waiting for invites, therapists (and adults in general) should take an active role in fostering friendships.
- Smartphones, while helpful, also contribute to feelings of disconnection and information overload.
- Research shows that meaningful friendships require consistent effort and intentionality.
Listener Engagement:
- How have you navigated friendship as an adult?
- What strategies have worked for you in maintaining deep connections?
Join the conversation on LinkedIn or email Jen with your thoughts! Don’t forget to check out last week’s episode (Ep. 60) for more insights on adult friendships.
Connect with Jen Blanchette:
Thank you for tuning in! If you found this episode valuable, please share it with a fellow therapist or leave a review.
