Asking for Help

July 18th, 2023

Asking for Help 

Why is it hard to ask for help? It’s scary asking for help, but why? There could be a variety of reasons as to why a person may have a hard time asking for help. Here is a list of some possible reasons:  

Self-doubt / Criticism: Self-Perception of weakness.

Social Stigma: Judgment of others. 

Self-Sabotage: Feeling unworthy of change.  

Cultural Suspicion/Distrust: Becoming white-washed. 

Accessibility: Limited access, financial strain, language/cultural differences. 

Microaggressions: Verbal, behavioral, or environmental actions that communicate hostility toward oppressed or targeted groups. 

It’s Okay to Ask for Help 

Asking for help can be challenging but what does help look like? It can look like this:  

• Support Groups  
• Friends  
• Lovers 
• Pets 
• Therapy 

Looking for a Therapist

Some things to consider when looking for a therapist: 

• Personality Fit 
• Specialty 
• Cost & Insurance coverage 
• Scheduling  
• Online vs In-Person  
• Specific life stages or Cultural backgrounds 

And when help is received, it is okay to question the care that is being received or provided. Having a good rapport with a therapist is the most important factor in determining the outcome of therapy. Here are some questions to ask yourself when meeting with someone new: 

• Do you feel emotionally and physically safe?  
• Do you like how they carry themselves and the energy they exude?  
• Do you want to stay and talk or are you counting down the minutes until you can leave? 
• Do you feel heard and understood? 
• Does the therapist seem empathetic to your situation? 
• Did you walk away with a feeling of trust and confidence in this therapist?

Differences Between Therapists  

Therapist: Broad umbrella term for professionals who are trained—and often licensed—to provide a variety of treatments and rehabilitation for people. 

LCSW/LMFT: 2 years of graduate training, followed by 2-3 years of supervised clinical work. Emphasis on connecting people with the community and available resources.  

Psychologists (PhD, PsyD, and EdD): 4-6 years of academic preparation, followed by 1-2 years of full-time supervised work with patients. 

Psychiatrists: 4 years of medical school training, followed by specialized residency (3-4 years). Because of their medical training, psychiatrists’ work with clients may include talk therapy combined with medications. 

Therapy Types 

• Cognitive-behavior therapy (CBT): CBT is a helping approach that focuses on teaching people to identify and change unhelpful, negative thought patterns 
• Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT): In ACT, the emphasis is on attitudes and behaviors toward value-driven goals. 
• Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT): DBT is useful for managing emotions and distress and involves skills training for effective problem-solving and actions. 
• Exposure therapy: Exposure therapy helps people address and reduce anxiety and phobias. 
• Person-centered therapy: In person-centered or client-centered therapy, the therapist’s primary role isn’t to teach skills but instead is to listen to the client and engage in discussion that helps the client discover how to move forward. 

When You’re Ready  

Services we provide: 

PTSD 

Grief 

Anxiety 

Burnout 

Trauma 

Dyslexia 

Disability 

HIV/AIDS 

Addiction 

LGBTQIA+ 

Depression 

Alcohol Use 

Coping Skills 

Self-Harming 

Schizophrenia 

Racial Identity 

Social Anxiety 

Gender Identity 

Transgender Issues

Learning Disabilities 

Compassion fatigue 

Kink/Diverse Sexualities 

Prejudice 

Discrimination 

Open Relationships/ Polyamory 

Cultural and Systematic Oppression