{"id":121222,"date":"2020-12-15T11:00:08","date_gmt":"2020-12-15T11:00:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.harleytherapy.co.uk\/counselling\/?p=121222"},"modified":"2023-03-12T20:41:22","modified_gmt":"2023-03-12T20:41:22","slug":"reach-out-to-someone","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.harleytherapy.co.uk\/counselling\/reach-out-to-someone.htm","title":{"rendered":"How to Reach out To Someone Struggling (And Not Make Things Worse)"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"reach

photo by Andres Ayrton for Pexels<\/p><\/div>\n

by Andrea M. Darcy<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

We can have best intentions<\/a> when we decide to reach out to someone, but can end up making things worse instead of better. Here’s how to reach out and help.<\/p>\n

How to reach out to others who are struggling<\/span><\/h2>\n

So what do you need to keep in mind when you reach out to someone you care about?<\/span><\/p>\n

1. Don\u2019t assume you know what they want.<\/span><\/h3>\n

Let’s say it’s a certain holiday and you can’t imagine being alone<\/strong> for them. You then assume someone else who will be alone isn\u2019t okay with it, but wants to celebrate. But actually, that person would rather be alone and when you invite them they feel obliged to say yes even when it will make them feel worse.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

So what to do instead of make assumptions?\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

2. Ask and then listen. <\/span><\/h3>\n

Instead of assuming how someone feels or what they want, ask.<\/strong> Not with just a \u2018how are you\u2019 which begs for a false \u2018fine\u2019 as an answer.\u00a0<\/span>Try a more open, <\/span>inquisitive approach.<\/span><\/p>\n