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Coronavirus/Covid 19 update

• 16th Mar, 20 •

Coronavirus /Covid 19 Update

Coronavirus is dominating headlines around the world. While the media focus is on the impact on people’s physical health and what’s being done to prevent the spread of the disease;

Currently there is a lot of anxiety about the virus which undoubtedly can also have an impact on people’s mental health and wellbeing. Many clients who are in therapy will undoubtedly be fearful of their sessions being withdrawn as a result of this health threat.

My current stance is to update my approach daily based on government guidance and If any clients are unable to attend a counselling session support can be offered either by telephone or online via zoom,I am competent in using these modalities to support clients and have completed training courses that support this. I am aware that this health threat will possibly be causing for many clients an increase in fear and anxiety, feelings of powerlessness, relationship conflicts and a fear of loneliness and isolation. I will therefore be doing my best to support clients in the safest way possible and will be taking my duty of care to clients very seriously.    

The NHS Guidelines describes how the virus causes flu-like symptoms including a fever, a cough, or difficulty breathing.  I will continuously monitor developments in respect of COVID-19 and will be following the advice and guidance of Public  Health England.

In the counselling rooms in which I provide face to face sessions hand wash facilities, tissues, hand wipes and anti bacterial hand wash will be provided for clients to use, the area will be cleaned thoroughly at reular times throughout the day to maintain high levels of hygiene standards. 

The Government has issued advice about what to do if you feel unwell, or have been to any affected areas. The advice has guidance on how to prevent the spread of disease.

How you can help 

If you are due to attend a session with me  please inform me if any of the symptoms described on the NHS website in relation to Coronavirus  applies to you or if you have been in contact with someone else showing symptoms, or if you have visited one of the Countries highlighted as a risk to health and I will support you with counselling by a different modality such as  telephone or online support . For clients who are unfortunately not well enough to proceed at this time then counselling sessions  will be postphoned until a time when you are feeling able to proceed.

Here are some additional suggestions to help if you are feeling anxious about the spread of the virus.

Don’t ignore your anxiety - Suggestions:-

“It’s very normal to feel scared about risks to health,”  “Therefore Acknowledging the feeling you are experiencing is important. Don’t ignore these feelings, speak them out loud.”

Exploring why you feel anxious can help.

Talking to someone by telephone will help you feel connected

A counsellor can help you to deal with anxiety by offering strategies and supporting you with your concerns.

 

Do something you can control

It can help you to express this anxiety in a way that you can control.

Writing down what you feel

Keeping a journal

Keeping it real….Saying it out loud

Challenge your thoughts…focusing on what is fact and what is opinion

Each day write down 3 things you feel grateful for 

Distract yourself and remain positive

Have a declutter day

Let it go

Once you’ve written it down, let it go, don’t keep reading it

Once you have acknowledged it out loud let it go.

 Bring it back to the present by being mindful

Anxiety will not be your best friend anxiety loves to ruminate negativity, loves irrational thoughts, so challenge the thoughts and bring your attention back to what is happening in the “here and now”.

Ask yourself what is a fact ? and what is an opinion?

Sometimes we can catastrophise and focus on “what ifs?” and “yes but’s” these can often create unhelpful processing and uncertainty, keeping us stuck in negative thinking cycles.

Breathing techniques and mindfulness

Practising mindfulness or using breathing techniques to help you relax.

Mindfulness can be helpful in managing anxiety and nervous feelings.

Think about access to media and social media

“Some people can be quite paralysed by this anxiety and may want to completely stop interacting with the news,”

“But for others this can be quite difficult. They want to know what’s going on. Not knowing makes it worse.”

Consider limiting how much time you spend on social media or reading, listening or watching the news.

You may want to think about where you are getting your information from. Are the reports sensationalising the situation and scaremongering? Or do you feel they are reporting responsibly and with balance?

Learn something new

Try something new or rediscover an old interest or hobby 

Give yourself permission to be kind to yourself

Sign up for an online class

Research something you have always been curious about

Learn how to cook something new, or invent a new recipe

Be Active

Do some easy exercises to keep moving

Do gentle stretching exercises when you wake up

Dance to your favourite music

Try an online exercise class

Jog on the spot whilst waiting for the kettle to boil

Showing compassion towards others

Approach panic with patience

Approach uncertainty with education

Be kind to each other

Support one another in the best way possible

Write a letter to a friend to show you care or send a card

 

Read the Government’s latest information and advice regarding coronavirus.

The NHS also has information about the virus, what you can do to prevent its spread and what to do if you worried that you might have symptoms. 

Jacqueline Bird March 2020

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