Therapy and Manipulation in MM Romance: A Rising Trend in Healthy Relationships

In the last six months, I’ve read over 50 MM romance books, primarily from indie and debut authors, and noticed a growing trend: the portrayal of therapy as a crucial aspect of character growth and relationship building. This trend, which focuses on mental health and self-awareness, is juxtaposed with the themes of manipulation and toxic relationships. Below, I’ll explore several books that highlight this trend and examine how therapy and manipulation are used to craft more complex and meaningful narratives.

Therapy as a Healing Tool: Building Healthy Relationships

In many of the books I’ve read, therapy is portrayed as a vital and positive tool for healing. It allows characters to process toxic parenting, trauma, and anxiety, and to rebuild healthier, more balanced relationships. For example, in The Naked Dancer by Emme C. Taylor, Lu and Morgan are two creative souls navigating their own personal struggles. Therapy plays a significant role in Lu’s journey as he seeks to heal from depression. This theme of healing through therapy recurs in other books, particularly in MM romance, where it’s often used to help characters understand their behavior patterns and gain control over their reactions to difficult situations.

In Unfix Me by Emory Weste, Sen’s parents attempt to “fix” him, leading to severe anxiety attacks and homophobic self-loathing. As Sen develops feelings for Kai, his anxiety escalates, and therapy helps Sen to accept himself and move past the harmful messages he’s internalized. It's hard for him to accept therapy because of bad expertise of his "fixing" sessions. Therapy, in this book, is about finding the strength to heal, not only for oneself but also for the sake of a healthier relationship with one’s partner.

Manipulation: Breaking Free from Toxic Influences

Manipulation is another central theme in these books, often rooted in toxic family dynamics. In Inevitable by Erin Rose, Bash’s father is a manipulative villain who tries to control every aspect of his son’s life, including his relationship with Micah. Bash’s journey to therapy is a key turning point in breaking free from his father’s toxic influence and reclaiming control over his life.

Similarly, Finally Free by Jaiyde Thomas delves into toxic parenting and its impact on self-esteem. Chase’s therapist helps him unravel the emotional damage inflicted by his overprotective aunt, allowing him to set healthy boundaries and rebuild his self-worth. The therapy sessions in this book are crucial in breaking the cycle of manipulation and guiding Chase towards a healthier, more independent life.

In these examples, therapy serves as the means through which characters can break free from the manipulation and control that have shaped their lives. Importantly, therapy is not depicted as something that the love interest is responsible for “fixing.” Instead, it’s a separate, third-party process that allows the character to take charge of their own healing while being supported by their partner.

Therapy: A Device for Strengthening Romance

One of the key takeaways from this rising trend is how therapy enhances the romance plotline by adding depth to the characters and their relationships. Therapy helps characters understand the root causes of their behaviors and emotions, allowing them to change and grow in meaningful ways. In the All Access series by Jaiyde Thomas, therapy is depicted as an essential part of overcoming trauma and establishing boundaries. The series also emphasizes the importance of meaningful apologies—characters are encouraged not just to say “sorry,” but to understand the deeper issue and work to prevent the same mistakes from happening again.

This use of therapy as a narrative device adds an emotional complexity to romance stories that resonates with readers. It allows the characters to move beyond surface-level conflicts and address deep-seated emotional issues, ultimately leading to more satisfying and believable romantic outcomes.

The Impact of Positive Therapy Portrayals on Society

The portrayal of therapy in these books is more than just a trend—it’s a reflection of society’s evolving attitudes toward mental health. By destigmatizing the therapy process and showing how it can lead to healthier relationships and personal growth, these authors are contributing to a broader cultural shift. Books like Dare You To Love Me by Kelly Washington and A Destined Christmas Miracle by Jaiyde Thomas highlight the importance of seeking professional help to overcome trauma, anxiety, and manipulation. These stories normalize therapy as a vital part of life and relationships, helping to reduce the stigma and encouraging readers to view therapy as a positive and transformative experience.

In a world where people are increasingly struggling with anxiety, stress, and mental health challenges, these books offer hope. They show that therapy is not something to be ashamed of but rather a path toward understanding, healing, and growth.

Conclusion: Therapy as a Layer of Complexity

While traditional conflict and tension remain central to romance novels, the incorporation of therapy adds a new layer of emotional depth and complexity. It allows for more nuanced character development and creates more engaging narratives. The trend of using therapy as a tool for healing and growth not only strengthens the romance between characters but also contributes to a broader message of emotional well-being and self-awareness.

As this trend continues to grow, I believe we’ll see more stories that embrace therapy as a core element of character development, leading to healthier, more realistic relationships in romance novels—and perhaps even in real life.