Life as we know it has changed… A LOT. It’s hard to believe that we’ll ever return to “normalcy,” and if we do, will it be a new type of “normal” from what we were used to prior to the pandemic.
My family and I talk about what the future might be like when the COVID-19 is a thing of the past. Will we always have to practice social distancing? Will we always have to wear masks out in public? Will we always have to wipe down everything we purchase before bringing it into our homes? The more you think about these things, the more stressful it can get.
I would want nothing more than to hug a friend right now, go shopping without a mask, and attend a Memorial Day barbecue. BUT… I know that situations like that might have to hold off a bit longer until it’s safe to do so.
I consider my family blessed. Aside from being furloughed from my job until possibly September, and being bored out of my mind being stuck at home 24/7, things have not been that bad. My husband and son kept working, and my daughter was only out of her job for a few weeks. We’ve all been healthy (thankfully) and we’ve been able to get by OK. Sadly, that is not the case for others. Some families have lost several family members to the virus. Some people have lost their jobs indefinitely. Others have no idea where their next meal is coming from and how they are going to pay their rent/mortgage. The pandemic has hit some harder than others.
Getting over the death of a loved one or a beloved job is hard. Combined with all the other stresses this pandemic has caused, it might not be as easy as it once was to make our way through it. For this reason, having counselors available is even more important than ever if you feel the need to talk to someone. But how can you meet with a counselor when you are confined at home and most places are closed? There is one way around it – telephone counseling.
Telephone counseling allows you to connect with a certified counselor from anywhere, and often, at any time.
Connecting with a counselor over the phone works just as well, if not better, than in person. For shy people, like myself, not having to look someone in the face when discussing problems makes opening up easier. When you can open up easier, you are able to get out all that is bothering you.
Taking advantage of telephone counseling is also great for busy people who might not otherwise have the time to drive across town to meet up with someone. If you are a parent, not having to look for a sitter is also a bonus.
I like the idea of being able to speak with a counselor from the comfort of my home. You can sit and chat while in your stain covered top and ripped pants and no one will know. You also don’t have to worry about your hair or make up (I’ve barely worn any make up the entire time I’ve been stuck at home during the quarantine).
As a bonus, you also don’t have to worry about a parking spot or getting stuck in traffic and running late to your appointment.
This excellent article explains in more detail whey phone counseling is a great option for many people, as well as frequently asked questions people have about telephone counselling – https://www.betterhelp.com/advice/counseling/get-telephone-counseling-when-and-where-you-need-it/
Since most places are still under quarantine, and many places are not opened, getting counseling over the phone is a great option. I would recommend meeting with a counselor in person, even one you plan on utilizing entirely over the phone, just to put a face to the voice. However that is not possible right now for most people.
Utilizing the telephone to connect with a counselor would be vital for many people right now. I’m not sure if people know that telephone counseling is even an option. It pains me to think of all those people who are in dire need to speak to someone, but are not aware that they can connect with a counselor over the phone.
If you, or someone you know, would benefit from the help and guidance of a counselor, whether it’s related to the pandemic, or from other issues, why not give telephone counseling a try? You have nothing to lose, and a lot to gain, by trying it. Even if you find that it’s not for you, and you prefer a face-to-face meeting, taking part in a telephone counseling session is better than nothing – at least until the time comes where you can safely do a face-to-face meeting.
Would you take advantage of a telephone counseling session if it was available in your area? Why or why not? You are welcome to explain your reasoning why if you feel comfortable leaving a comment (no worries, the information is not collected – it’s just for my own curiosity). If you wanted to know my answer, my answer would be “yes.” I say this because my daughter sees a counselor and he’s been doing telephone sessions since the quarantine kicked in. She “meets” with him every few weeks, just to touch base and see how things are going. He also charges half of the price he normally charges in person.
Kimberly
*I have partnered with BetterHelp to bring you this post. Although compensated, the post was written entirely by me.