Staying connected with online counselling.
Lockdown is taking a toll on the mental health of people across the country. Research shows that almost one in five adults were likely to be experiencing some form of depression in June. Redundancies, changing restrictions and not being able to see family and friends are all adding to the pressure. Lots of people are experiencing high levels of grief for the things they have missed and for life as it was before.
In these circumstances, counselling can be helpful however recent lockdown changes mean that lots of mental health professionals are once again unable to offer sessions face to face. Whether you are a person who has counselling regularly or if you are new to it, the thought of online counselling can be daunting and a bit strange.
If you are embarking on online or telephone therapy, here are a few tips to get your started:
Quiet space - It is important that you find a quiet space for your session. For some clients this means the spare room, the garden or even inside their car. Make sure you can hear the counsellor clearly and that there isn’t alot of background noise to distract you.
Privacy - This can be difficult if you live in shared spaces or have young children but it is important. You need to feel safe to share and privacy is key, if you are worrying about being overheard you are unlikely to get the full benefit from your sessions. If you live in a shared house, can you book sessions at a time when others are out? Speak to your counsellor about flexibility and what you might do if sessions are interrupted.
Think about afterwards - When choosing a location it is important to think about what you will do after your session. If lots of emotions have been brought up for you then you might need space to reflect or decompress afterwards. If you are at work, do you have space to take some time to yourself before you have to go back to your job? If someone else is looking after children can you work in some extra time before heading back to family life?
Practice the technology - Are you unsure about using technology? Ask a friend, family member or neighbour to help you practice. Do a test run in advance of your session - get used to the different buttons and make sure you are comfortable. Speak to your counsellor about choosing a platform you know how to use. Be patient with yourself, remember this is still new for lots of people.
Be comfortable - One of the biggest benefits to being in your own home is that you can make things comfortable. Choose a good chair, wear comfy clothes and bring your favourite hot drink along with you - there is no risk of your counsellor adding sugar or too much milk!
It might feel awkward - Your first online session should be similar to an in person session, just in the comfort of your own home. It’s ok if it feels awkward for you at first, share these feelings with your counsellor. You might be surprised how quickly you get used to it.
Communicate - If you decide you don’t enjoy the experience of online counselling then talk about it, some counsellors offer telephone options as an alternative. Remember that online counselling is new for lots of counsellors and clients alike so it might be clumsy. Ultimately you need to be comfortable with whatever method you choose to seek support so make sure you communicate if things aren’t working for you.
To look for a counsellor who will offer online or telephone therapy you can visit British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy (BACP) or Counselling Directory.
Contact me to find out availability for telephone and online counselling sessions.
