Common Sense Media Review
By Joyce Slaton
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Mature but tender, lovable dramedy about therapists.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Shrinking
What's the Story?
We meet SHRINKING's Jimmy (Jason Segel) after he's been through a truly terrible year. His wife, Tia (Lilan Bowden), was killed in a car accident, and he's been lost in grief and pain ever since, to the point of neglecting his similarly grieving daughter, Alice (Lukita Maxwell). But after Jimmy impulsively decides to start being more honest and demanding with the patients in his therapy practice, he finds that he's able to help them, along with himself. Fellow therapists Gaby (Jessica Williams) and Paul (Harrison Ford) provide support while going through their own issues. And whether Jimmy is sparring with nosy neighbor Liz (Christa Miller) or hanging out with best friend from college Brian (Michael Urie), he and the other characters get through tough times together using spicy humor, occasional sexcapades, and lots of unsanctioned therapizing.
Is It Any Good?
Lovely, tender, and often heartbreaking, this series features characters in realistic struggles, trying and sometimes succeeding in reaching each other to offer connections and comfort. Shrinking's main character, Jimmy, is definitely struggling. He can't seem to find a way out of the intense grief he's felt since his wife's death. But then Jimmy discovers one of the great truths of life: Fulfillment and happiness can be found in helping others. He orders one patient to leave her emotionally abusive husband, and he forcibly enrolls another in an amateur boxing club in hopes of giving him a healthy outlet for his post-military service anger and pain. It might be unethical according to the strictures of therapy, which a colleague warns him about, but it's working: His patients are making changes in their lives, and Jimmy is, too.
Segel is sad-eyed and relatable, as always; he's an easy actor to love. His chemistry with a salty, sarcastic Ford is something to see, particularly in the moments when Paul's reserve melts into softheartedness for a man who's just about the right age to be his son. The rest of the cast is stocked with realistically imperfect characters you'll want to know: Jimmy's bubbly colleague Gaby, impatient neighbors Liz and Derek (Ted McGinley), Jimmy's patient-turned-tenant Sean (Luke Tennie), and tough, sad daughter Alice. Fans of Ted Lasso, which shares a production team with Shrinking, will recognize the writers' humanity and easy humor, which makes Shrinking a worthy follow-up to the nearly universally beloved Lasso.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the therapeutic methods used in Shrinking. How do Jimmy, Gaby, and Paul communicate with their patients? Where do the therapists' practices align, and in what ways are they different?
Jimmy is portrayed as an unbalanced person in pain, but what are his pros and cons as a character? Do you approve of his unconventional methods as a therapist?
How do characters in Shrinking demonstrate compassion and empathy? What other character strengths does the show promote? Do you consider the characters role models?
How does Shrinking portray the process of grief and healing? How do characters get through moments of depression and anger? Where do they find support at their lowest moments? If you have a friend or family member who's suffering, how might you reach out to them?
Do you think it's typical for colleagues to also be close friends, the way the characters are in Shrinking? Which relationships matter to them most?
TV Details
- Premiere date : January 27, 2023
- Cast : Jason Segel , Harrison Ford , Jessica Williams , Christa Miller
- Network : Apple TV
- Genre : Comedy
- Topics : Friendship
- Character Strengths : Compassion , Empathy
- TV rating :
- Awards : Emmy - Emmy Award Nominee , Golden Globe - Golden Globe Award Nominee , NAACP Image Award - NAACP Image Award Nominee
- Last updated : January 27, 2026
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate