Even though a student asks for help with a problem and you are willing to help, there are circumstances which may indicate that you should suggest that the student use another resource. Examples might be:

• the problem or request for information or assistance is one you know you can't handle
• you believe that personality differences will interfere with your ability to help
• you know the student personally (as a friend, neighbor, friend of a friend, etc.) and do not think you could be objective enough to really help
• the student acknowledges the problem but is reluctant to discuss it with you
• after working with a student for some time you find that little progress has been made and you don't know how to proceed
• you are feeling overwhelmed, pressed for time, or otherwise at a high level of stress yourself