Appointments Available

Tuesday - 9am (fortnightly appointment), Thursday - 10:15am, 11:30am (fortnigtly appointment), 5pm and 6.15pm

 
 

Family In Lockdown

It's never a more relevant time than right now, during the current global pandemic situation, to be focused on family for so many different reasons.

On the positive side of things, some of us may be relishing spending more time with our families doing things together that we enjoy (in line with social distancing guidelines of course!), reconnecting, not being distracted by work and other chores and activities that can sometimes get in the way of good quality family time. 

However, not all households will be experiencing this joy and togetherness and here are some reasons why: - 

  • Loneliness and Isolation - some people may live alone and are isolated from family members and close friends right now.
  • Domestic Abuse – it is reported that this is becoming exacerbated due to being in lockdown.
  • Guilt and Shame - some of us don’t particularly like spending large quantities of time with our children or partners and perhaps are experiencing guilt and shame for feeling this way.
  • Change of roles – our roles in the family, at work and in our community may have changed as a result of lockdown and this can affect family dynamics.
  • Environment – space in the home may be utilised differently right now and this inevitably can impact on family dynamics and the invasion of each other’s space.
  • Tension and conflict – being in close proximity with each other can cause arguments. Children may be witnessing more conflict than they ordinarily would.
  • Bereavement – many families are sadly experiencing loss and grief due to family members dying from Covid-19 and not being able to grieve and mourn in the same ways that they normally would. This is also true of those who have lost loved ones not from Covid-19.
  • Mental Health – those who struggle with mental health concerns may have found these more exacerbated right now and this will inevitably impact upon the family.
  • Chronic Health – some individuals are carers for family members and external help and assistance may have significantly reduced or decreased. Perhaps having everyone at home is interrupting a routine that a person struggling with an illness ordinarily works within and this may be creating tension.  

                   

Some of these may seem familiar to you or something different. Each and every family is different and will be affected by the current situation in different ways. 

If you would like someone to help you who is outside of the family unit, either as an individual or as a couple, I can help. I am still providing therapeutic counselling during the current situation. This will be online using video conferencing and you will need to find a confidential space to speak. However, I am finding that clients are being extremely creative about making this work and finding a space where they are free to talk. 

If you are unsure as to how counselling might help, send me an email (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) or call me on 07999 858630 and I will answer any questions that you may have.