Sorry if this isn’t the right place to post, just looking for some advice on my hair. 

I have just been horribly depressed. To the point I showered MAYBE once a week, and brushed my hair once every two weeks. I’m trying to get my life back on track and I’m getting help. But I want to at least start working on my appearance. 

I have a a horrible knot in my hair. I guess it’s more accurate to call it a mat. It’s there because for a long time I didn’t get out of bed, and when I would roll from one side to another my hair would get tangled together. I’ve had mats like this before and in the past I’ve just cut my losses and cut out the mat. But this one is pretty big… I’d hate to lose that much hair. 

 I can’t do this by myself, I need a professionals help. But where do I go? A salon? And what do I ask for? “Can you de-mat my hair please?” I’m so embarrassed of any  hairdresser seeing this horrible mat in my hair, and just seeing the state of my hair in general. 
 
I’m 22 I’ve never mg scheduled my own hair appointment. But I don’t want to go to my old hairdresser cause I’m embarrassed. I want to go to a stranger. 

Any advice is really appreciated.