How to convince someone to go to counselling

When a person you care about is struggling with their mental health, it can be incredibly difficult to watch.

When our loved ones are feeling low or distressed, or are struggling to overcome difficulties in their life, our automatic reaction is to want to be there for them and help and support them through the hard times.

But, in many cases, professional help is needed to help people to overcome their issues, address the factors that are causing them to feel low, and receive unbiased advice and insights that will help them to get stronger and come to terms with their problems.

However, encouraging someone to seek counselling can be a sensitive issue. Unfortunately, many negative stigmas are still associated with counselling, which can cause people to feel attacked and defensive.

Here are our tips on how you can convince someone to go to counselling, whether it’s a friend, colleague, family member or partner.

It’s got to be the right time and place

First and foremost, it’s important that you understand the sensitive nature of talking about someone’s mental health.

So, when you decide to broach the subject, make sure you choose a time and place where your loved one will feel safe and comfortable in. Choose a space that is quiet, comfortable, and where the person will feel at ease. It’s also important to avoid starting a discussion when your loved one is tired, in a bad mood or stressed, as this is unlikely to get the conversation off to a good start.

Tell them your concerns

Letting a loved one know that you’re worried about them and think they need help is never going to be easy. You should prepare for the person to be defensive, and be aware that you’ll need to have patience and understanding throughout the process.

A way of addressing any resistance is to be open and honest with the person by going through the reasons why you are worried about them. You should also tell them how hard it is to watch them struggle and how you’re concerned about their health and well-being. Try to avoid sounding critical.

Share your experiences

If your loved one is hesitant to open up to you, sharing your experiences of hardship or challenges in your life that have been emotionally stressful can be a great way to encourage them to open up and seek help.

This can help to destigmatise and dispel the common misconceptions that come hand in hand with counselling, reinforcing that they aren’t alone.

Love and support go a long way

Love and support always go a long way during difficult times. So, when you start to discuss the idea of your loved one going to counselling, it’s important that you show them an abundance of love and support and always use open, non-judgmental language.

Let them know that you will be there for them every step of the way and that they have your full support and understanding.

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