本研究目的在於探討憂鬱情緒當事人決定求助的歷程及歷程中的影響因子，本研究採用質性研究法中之深度訪談方式蒐集五位研究參與者資料，並依據訪談逐字稿進行資料分析與統整。研究結果如下：一、就整體求助歷程來說，求助歷程是一個耗時、複雜的決定歷程。在本研究中，憂鬱情緒當事人求助的延宕時間最短為一個禮拜，最長為三年，平均延宕時間為近一年。二、就求助歷程的三個階段來看，在覺察階段中，參與者主要是經由自我覺察及外在系統的回饋兩種方式發覺自己低落的情緒。在決定階段中，「心理專業符合問題解決的信念」、「專業資源的可接近性」、「問題威脅加劇」及「強烈的情緒經驗」是最主要引發、促進求助的因子。「因應方式生效」與「文化價值觀的威脅」是延緩、阻擋求助的重要因子。而在驅使與延宕因子的交互影響下，「決心面對問題」、「問題威脅加劇」、「因應有限性」及「免付費資源」則是關鍵的決定點。在行動階段中，當參與者感覺心理師可以了解與接納他的困擾，及心理諮商經驗可以帶來新的覺察與改變時，參與者傾向評估心理諮商是正向的、有效的，反之，則為負向、無效的。本研究並根據研究結果提出對心理諮商專業及未來相關研究的建議。

The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the process of help-seeking and its influential factors among clients with depressed mood. Data was collected by means of in-depth interviews with five participants. The results were as follows: 1. Help seeking is a time-consuming and complicated decision-making process. On average, participants began seeking professional help a year after they first encountered the problem. 2. Three stages were identified in the help-seeking process. First, in the awareness stage, clients detected their depressed mood through self-awareness and feedback from environment. Second, in the decision stage, severity of problems and type of coping strategies were the important decision factors. Finally, in the action stage, experience of a positive therapeutic relation led some clients to new awareness and changes, and to the consideration that counseling is an effective method of addressing depression. Discussion of the findings provides suggestions for counselors, mental health institutions and researchers in the field of mental health.