Reaching out to people who care

Avoiding power-crazed authoritarians for the good of your health is one thing, but where might you go instead for some support?

While you can’t ever guarantee someone won’t harm you, there are signs you can pick up straightaway from a person as to whether or not they have your interests at heart. Below are some questions you might want to ask internally when debating a person’s trustworthiness.

Are they actively listening to what I’m saying? Are they showing signs of empathy? Are they authentic? Are they respecting your physical and psychological boundaries? Is the gaze of their eyes kindly or intrusive? Am I at ease or on edge with this person? What is my gut telling me? Is the relationship consensual? Are they showing any signs of entitlement and privilege? Do I feel I’m being judged? Oppressed? Belittled? Am I being steamrollered into making a decision, or is there a shared element of cooperation?

NB: When it comes to talking therapies, while it’s generally accepted that each modality is as good (or bad) as the other, person-centred counselling is set up to be non-authoritarian. The same cannot be said for cognitive behavioural therapy.