COVID-19 changed the way all of us do a lot of our everyday activities, and for us at Relate this meant moving our counselling services entirely over to phone and Zoom. It was a big change for us, and we recognise it's a big change for many of the people who come to speak with us too. For a lot of people, meeting a counsellor over Zoom can seem a bit daunting.
That's why we asked two of our clients, a couple named Sarwar and Farideh, to share their experience of Zoom counselling and reassure anyone considering it that it's actually really enjoyable.
Why did you seek counselling in the first place?
We were struggling to communicate after going through a trauma, so we decided we would try relationship therapy to understand each other better and encourage healing.
How did lockdown and COVID-19 impact your relationship?
On the whole, our relationship has been good due to spending more time together. But there have been tough patches, too. Continuing therapy on Zoom has been a real help!
How long you have been attending counselling with us?
We’ve been going every week for about six months. We’ve had five Zoom sessions so far.
What were your initial thoughts about switching to Zoom?
We weren't sure at first and wanted to put the sessions on hold. Neither of us had received Zoom therapy before and felt we would be getting a poorer experience than an in-person session.
And how have you found Zoom counselling sessions in practice?
We've been surprised at how well it's gone and actually enjoy having the sessions from home. We get more out of it in our natural setting and can be more open with each other.
There’s been no major challenges so far, other than the fact we need to give each other plenty of space to think about our sessions before and after. Before the restrictions came into force, we would have more time apart to reflect and we feel that’s an important part of therapy.
Oh and we have two cats who are determined to be involved - thankfully our counsellor has been very accommodating.
There’s been no major challenges so far, other than the fact we need to give each other plenty of space to think about our sessions before and after. Before the restrictions came into force, we would have more time apart to reflect and we feel that’s an important part of therapy.
Oh and we have two cats who are determined to be involved - thankfully our counsellor has been very accommodating.
What would you say to other people considering relationship counselling on Zoom?
Zoom counselling has been incredibly helpful for us so don’t be put off especially if you’re feeling the strain or want to work on your relationship. It can be just as effective as in-person sessions. Our counsellor was great at helping us to adjust to virtual sessions and we get so much out of it that we continued having Zoom sessions even once the restrictions lifted. Just be sure you have a good internet connection!
Any final words of advice for anyone considering Zoom counselling?
Each person will be on their own journey and having Zoom sessions at home may not be practical or entirely comfortable. That's understandable. Our message is give it a try, if you can. You will be pleasantly surprised at how well it works.
For a lot of people, communicating with friends and family through video calls was a big adjustment. Many of our Zoom counselling clients told us that being in the comfort of their own home actually helps them to open up. If you're considering Zoom counselling, it might help to practice where in the house you would put your computer or tablet so you feel comfortable before you start your sessions. And of course, your counsellor won't be judging your appearance, they there to listen and help you, so prioritise comfort.
Our counsellors can be flexible in finding a time of day that suits you, and where you have the physical and mental space to talk openly. They can also be flexible with which video conferencing software you use, so if there’s an app you prefer to Zoom you can let your counsellor know in advance.
To start the conversation about Zoom counselling, contact your Local Centre.
How can we help
If you feel like you need some support in your relationship there are lots of ways we can help
* This case study is loosely based on the kind of scenarios we work with, as opposed to a specific client. Relate never shares the stories of our clients without permission, even with names and details changed.
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