In-person and online counselling

During the COVID-19 lockdown, our wellbeing landscape was challenged like never before. No social interaction outside your home, but the Internet opened a portal to a new form of normality. Via the Internet, it is possible to reach people over great distances. We can facilitate training and communicate with people who need help from all over the world.

In our office, the conversation changed from the risks and pitfalls of working online, to what are the possibilities. Instead of thinking about traditional forms of counselling and training as opposed to working online, we developed combinations of best practices.

My first venture into online counselling was an asynchronous e-mail based process. This was slow and not very effective in dealing with the crisis element of trauma counselling. The delay between emails created expectation and communication gaps.

In-person and online services are combined to maximize benefits and minimise risk. The synchronous such as chat and video conferencing are popular with clients because they have more options. By combining the possible means of doing counselling, supervision or coaching clients find it easier to manage their schedules and fit in appointments.

Some clients prefer face-2-face services because their appointments are part of their “me-time” and they need the closeness of therapeutic interaction. Other clients have difficulties to leave their home due to certain illness, working from home, physical limitations, transportation difficulties or family commitments. Although online counselling it is only available to clients who have access to a computer and the Internet, the client has more therapeutic options than before.

Book your online or in-person appointment today.

The process of sharing feelings, pain and failure is always very personal. In venturing to offer in-person and online counselling, I am taking ethical considerations, risks and exceptional quality of client care to heart. Policies and procedure are on Aquilla Wellness Solutions’ website and I take the same care to get informed consent from in-person and online clients. This means I don’t offer advice via social media and all clients have to sign an information and consent form.

Various services have different information and consent forms. All the forms are in English. Since I am bi-lingual the actual interaction can be in English or Afrikaans.

To benefit most from our interaction, I give clients homework. Sometimes talking isn’t enough to express what you are thinking and feeling.

Book your online or in-person appointment today.

A journal is an ideal tool – read more.

Benefits of a Gratitude Journal

Gratitude is the act of being thankful and expressing appreciation – here and now. Encouraging you to focus on and reflect the positives in the present.

The first step to benefit from a journal is to choose a book in which you can write, draw and scribble. You can choose a notebook which you can decorate and cover or a beautiful ready-made journal. Whatever you choose must allow you to express yourself, because sometimes talking isn’t enough to express what you are thinking and feeling.

The second step is to commit to write or draw every day. Write at least 10 to 15 minutes a day, using your own words. You just need to be true to who you are and what you are grateful for.

Your gratefulness helps you to show compassion, happiness and concern towards others. Your behaviour will be motivated out of the concern for others, rather than any selfish morals. You will see opportunities to be kind without being a ‘doormat’.

An attitude of gratitude leads you closer to God because you start to see the wonders of being alive and the miracles He bestows on you every day. This enhances your sense of security, healthy compassion and sound judgement.

Make your gratitude journal a regular practice in your life. Keep a diary to record all the things that make you feel thankful.

Here is an infographic to illustrate the benefits of a gratitude journal.

Should you feel stuck in a spot of unwellness or trauma, I am available to help you to put the trauma behind you and become well.

Book your online or in-person appointment today.