Not Ready for Counselling

Your friends may feel hesitant about seeking help for various reasons. It can be hard for some people to overcome their struggles or worries before taking that step to reach out for help.  Sharing personal feelings and experiences with a professional, who is a total stranger in the first instance, takes a lot of courage.  No one wants to be forced to see a counsellor or psychologist. Willingness is necessary in bringing positive outcomes in the counselling process. 

• Listen to and acknowledge your friends’ concerns and worries about help-seeking.
• Clarify some misunderstandings on counselling (e.g. no privacy protection, non-professional, lack of choice etc.)
• Explain to your friends that counselling sessions at CEDARS-CoPE are confidential and the services are easily accessible and free.  
• Provide them with information about the services to reduce the sense of distance (e.g. links of our websites, our postcards, or other publication materials)
• Share with them positive experiences or successful stories you heard before.
• Point out that counselling can be a preventive measure before the condition gets worse.
• Encourage them to just give it a try and keep an open mind.
• Emphasise that seeking help is a sign of strength and maturity as it takes courage to face one’s problems and limitations.
• Offer to accompany your friends to CoPE, if they need facilitation.
• Be patient as your friends may need time and space to settle their struggles.
• Follow up after a short period of time and try to convince your friends to re-consider seeking help.
• Support other means that are acceptable and helpful to your friends’ condition.
• Provide other options such as University Health Service or community resources.
• Contact our Duty Counsellor for advice.