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?
How did lockdown and COVID-19 impact your relationship?
How long you have been attending counselling with us?
What were your initial thoughts about switching to Zoom?
And how have you found Zoom counselling sessions in practice?
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?
Any final words of advice for anyone considering Zoom counselling?
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.