Face to face therapy

[seaandsand1]

I was wondering what your thoughts were on how quickly we will be able to return to face to face therapy. I have asked and I’ve been told they will review their policy of no face to face on July 1st. I’m not feeling very positive, which in turn makes day to day like more tricky.

And also, how are you getting on with video sessions. How do you find them?

I was doing ok with online sessions, but it’s starting to not be enough. I do the sessions in my car for lots of reasons, but with the weather being hotter this isn’t so easy and I don’t have any other truly safe spaces.

The Internet connection went half way through my session today and we had to stop, which was really difficult to cope with, especially as I dissociate and I’m now on high alert, thinking that it will happen again. I think this will mean I won’t want to get too involved in the next session; just in case it happens again.

I know it’s such a small thing and I am truly grateful that I’m physically healthy and my family and friends are all ok. But I’m just finding this very difficult.

It depends on their supervisory body, some are already back to face to face sessions. I've been going back for a few weeks now.

I can understand how you’re feeling, I found phone therapy really difficult. I dissociate too so found it very hard. I had to think of it as maintenance therapy rather than time for making progress if that’s makes sense.
I’m seeing someone on the NHS so I’ve been back to face to face for a while or though now we have to wear face masks which is difficult. I hope you get to return to face to face soon. Take care.

I struggled massively, so much so I’m back in hospital as a voluntary patient for the first time in two years

@nothingcanhurtmewithmyeyesshut

That’s really interesting. What’s had to change for you? Do you have to wear masks?

@Sunshineandstars10

I’m really with you there, I was absolutely looking as it as maintenance. We have just been focusing on stage one skills. However, we started online therapy near the beginning of March and there is no date for going back yet, so now we are getting on for four months, at over £50 a session - with no reduction for online vs face to face and I’m not sure what to do.
As they said they would review their policy on the 1st July I may wait for then and then take a break if they still aren’t going back. Not ideal and not what I want - but it’s just not working.

It’s so tricky to keep everyone safe, but I’ve been at work nearly full time in a key worker role since the pandemic started, so it’s hard to not be able to get back to therapy whilst working and needing the support.

@Grumpbum123

Oh no I’m so sorry to hear that. I have been close to taking myself to hospital over this period. I hope you can get the help you deserve.

My private therapist is starting face-to-face sessions "in the next few weeks, hopefully". Her office seems pretty good for it, as it's not a busy shared space, no busy waiting rooms or anything like that. I've been struggling with the phone appointments, too. We tried a video call once, but I hated it even more. My only worry now is having to take public transport to actually get to therapy and back.

Nothing really. We dont have to wear masks or even sit further apart. He's doing more cleaning between clients but for me there's no difference from before.

If it's NHS then a large part of the decision is regarding building space. They've crammed staff into ever smaller spaces. Buildings are being assessed for how many people can safely use them given the cv19 guidance. Some assessments are returning with only allowing 25/30% usual capacity. This means they'll have to prioritise things that can't happen virtually, like depo injections, over things than can happen by video link even if it's much less desirable.

@dudsville

It’s not NHS it’s private, and they have a really spacious building.

@nothingcanhurtmewithmyeyesshut

That’s really good to hear. It gives me hope for mine getting you and running soon ish!

@InsaneProbably

That’s good new for you. Luckily I can drive to mine. I hope it works out ok for you.