I think many people would realize that they actually do have emotional support available to them if they allowed it in.

When I started therapy last fall, T asked me if I had a support network. I told him I didn't. Over the course of the next few months, he encouraged me to reach out to some of my (then) casual friends and connect. A few of them have become close friends and one is probably the closest friend I've ever had in my life. Turns out, they were holding back because I'd given them a "please stay back" vibe.

When I terminated with that T before he moved, I told him that I had been wrong when I answered his question. I told him that I did have people who were there for me, but I hadn't been there to let them.