When do you make the switch to forcing engagement with therapy...

[NeedYourThoughts]

DD 17 has had a tough time with a shit dad, shit family on his side, lack of friends, historic bullying and casting out to name but a few things. She is now:

Lonely
Only enjoying the physical part of her sports course and every single bit inbetween chat between peers she doesn't feel part of, find of interest, want to partake in
She says she feels insignificant
She hates her day to day life as it's the same every day - go to sports college, come back, spend the evening on her own, spend the weekends on her own.

I'm getting to the point where I no longer know what to do. She's 17 now and could get a job with a bit of luck - not sure if that will be enough to lift her spirits. I think she's v v afraid of opening up the hurt she feels (I honestly think I am too tbh, I actually worry it might break her...). But I also think we can't go on as we are.

Worryingly (or at least I think it is) she shares video clips of herself doing her physical activity and she always looks happy and chirpy and I'm concerned that outside of the purely physical parts of her day, the rest of the time she's masking how shit she really feels.

I'm loathe to force the issue (and frankly, I don't even know if I could successfully actually force her to access this type of help - what would I do, literally drag her screaming to an appointment?) and I just don't know what to do, I really don't. All I know is she is v v v unhappy and I'm v concerned about her.

[soberish]

I very recommend a book called "Am I depressed and what can I do about it ?" by Shirley Reynolds. It's a cbt approach, written by cbt / teenager experts, and there's an accompanying book for parents. Lots of useful stuff in both books. My dd refused to read it so I have picked out bits and read them at her from time to time ! Good luck with your dd , look after yourself, you are not alone !