Lockdown happened so quickly, here in Auckland, and really threw a spanner in the works with my fortnightly counselling sessions. Face to face sessions were cancelled and online sessions replaced them.
I initially avoided my online counselling sessions. I told myself that I would be ok and able to cope until we were able to resume as normal. Unfortunately life had other ideas for me and as much as I wanted to avoid any online counselling sessions I soon realised I wasn’t going to be able to work through the emotions, that were triggering me to lash out and leave my family in the middle of Level 4 lockdown, without speaking to my counsellor.
One of the reasons as to why I was so hesitant about going online with my counsellor was the unknown of what it would be like to speak to her over a computer instead of in the same room. My counsellor has an amazing ability to set the tone and the environment for our sessions, creating a security blanket that makes me feel safe to open up and explore all emotions. In this environment I have become comfortable getting uncomfortable while she is there with me. Going online didn’t give me that same comfort and so I was extremely apprehensive about reaching out for help.
When I finally did reach out and take the step to go online I was scared. It was unknown and I wasn’t sure I would be able to cope with the heavy emotions not being in the same room as her. I soon realised that I needn’t have feared. My counsellor was able to support me just as well as if she was there in person. She knew how far to push me, and when to pull back, so I wasn’t completely overwhelmed. I was grateful and so appreciative of how much she cares and how well she has gotten to know my tell-tale signs of stress over the last year.
If you receive regular face to face counselling and you are feeling nervous about going to online sessions I would highly recommend you to give it a try. Through my experience I have learned that keeping your regular counselling sessions any way you can is much better for your mental wellbeing then not receiving any counselling at all.
Click here to find out more about Visionwest Wellbeing Centre.