People say to me: “I know you can help me – but how do you do it?” Here’s how…
As an occupational therapist, I often get people saying to me: “I know you can help people…but just how can you help me?”
It’s a perfectly fair question.
For adults who have never sought help from someone who is outside the family or friendship group, it can be daunting to ask.
Who do you go to? How do you describe your feelings? And just who is this person I am going to sit down next to (or see on a computer screen) and trust enough to tell them some very personal things, when I have never even met them before?
Reassuring clients
The first part of my job with any new client is to reassure them and make them feel comfortable with me and the environment we are in.
Because of how important that is, I offer a free initial consultation which is just a ‘hello’ chat on the phone or Zoom so we can get to know a little bit about each other.
After that, if you think this is not for you, that’s fine.
If you think this it is for you, however, we would meet again and begin talking about how you are feeling and what is important to you. We would look at reasons why you might be feeling that way and then work on developing techniques and strategies to help you in your everyday life.
Non-judgemental
Because I am not part of your family or friendship group, I listen to what you have got to say in a totally non-judgemental way. It’s just about you.
I want to offer you a place away from work and home where you can share what is happening. We can identify priorities and set realistic goals and I will work on making every session count and be meaningful to you.
We can identify your strengths and focus on them to build your confidence and self-esteem.
So, here are some of the feelings and experiences that adults and young people have told me about when looking for some help.
Feeling anxious and it’s getting in the way of daily life
Struggling to think clearly or focus/concentrate
Feeling overwhelmed or as though they can’t cope sometimes
Struggling with getting enough or good quality sleep
Feeling as though they aren’t good enough
Feeling often tearful
Having panic attacks
Avoiding difficult situations
Usual coping mechanisms aren’t doing the trick
Having unpleasant thoughts or can’t stop thinking and analysing things
Feelings
One of the most enjoyable parts of my job is seeing people weeks or months after our sessions have ended and hearing them explain how they have found ways to calm, temper and overcome the feelings they had before they came to see me.
It’s lovely to help people by working with them in a relaxed and calm environment to and teach them strategies and techniques that they can put into place to manage anxiety, panic, low moods or other problems they may be dealing with.
I want to give you the tools to help you, help yourself.
So, if any of this resonates with you, give me a bell on (07426) 083189 or email me at kate@wellbeingtherapysolutions.co.uk – I would love to hear from you.
This is the place to find any supplementary resources needed to accompany Wellbeing Therapy Solutions’ courses, webinars, sessions or videos.
A page to find all of Wellbeing Therapy Solutions’ downloadable worksheets and resources to accompany courses, webinars, sessions and videos…
* Self-care for children: A downloadable worksheet for children to use while watching the ‘Self-care for children’ video found at https://youtu.be/UMeqBLgnve8
* Positive self-talk for children: A downloadable worksheet for children to use while watching the ‘Positive Self-talk for children’ video found at: https://youtu.be/qV7TUTynVoQ
Join Kate Jackson for some practical hints and tips to help you deal with the domestic challenges posed by lockdowns and homeschooling
Are you a parent or carer who is struggling to find any clarity or calm during the latest pandemic lockdown?
If so, don’t feel like you are alone.
The latest lockdowns in the UK – and all over the world – have given parents a tremendous amount to deal with.
They are a test for relationships, they put pressure on those working from home and the challenges of keeping children learning and active is a big one.
Webinar
Join Wellbeing Therapy Solutions’ Kate Jackson for this webinar called ‘Finding Clarity and Calm During Lockdown’.
It is mainly aimed at parents, grandparents and carers who are supporting primary-school aged children.
It will focus on hints, tips, and support, helping viewers deal with the various challenges that are being thrown at them, including the issues of homeschooling.
So often it is our thinking around what is happening that causes the distress, rather than what is actually happening.
Notice your thoughts
One of the first things to start finding some calm and clarity, is to start noticing our thoughts.
Ask yourself: Are they helpful? Are they true?
If you can start noticing what you are feeling inside your body, it can be really helpful in realising how we are feeling.
Watch the video to learn more from Kate and put yourself in a better position to tackle the challenges that are being thrown at all of us during a pandemic.
Making key decisions will help protect you from anxiety and fake news
Kate Jackson has advised BBC Radio Leicester listeners to be aware of the amount of news and social media they are consuming during the latest nationwide lockdown.
Appearing on Jimmy Carpenter’s Breakfast Show after being invited onto the programme, Kate said that too much news and social media could lead to stress and anxiety during what is already a very testing time.
“We all need to stay connected so it’s important to know what is going on and for that reason, news channels and social media are important,” said Kate.
“We all need facts – but opinion and speculation can spark stress and anxiety.
Endlessly scrolling
“Perhaps have a look and a bit of a clear out this week and decide what social media and news you want to consume.”
Kate, who was approached by Radio Leicester for her advice having been a guest on the station before added: “I am guilty of endlessly scrolling through my feeds and, as a result, consuming a lot more social media that I intended to and stressing myself out as a consequence! Cutting back on some of the things I follow would limit that consumption.
“It’s also a good idea to set times for consuming news and social media so you do keep up to date with what is going on but don’t allow yourself to take too much opinion and speculation on board.”
“Try and be positive but also be realistic about what you can and cannot achieve.” – Kate Jackson
Breakfast Show: BBC Radio Leicester host Jimmy Carpenter
As a third national lockdown begins across England, Kate Jackson has appeared on Radio Leicester’s Breakfast Show to offer some positive advice on how to deal with another challenging situation.
The sudden and seemingly lengthy lockdown facing the public in England took many people by surprise and left them with a feeling of déjà vu as they woke up on Tuesday morning.
But while Kate explained to Radio Leicester listeners, there would be challenges ahead, she hoped that the learnings of previous lockdowns could put people in a better position to deal with another one.
“There will be many people at home this week wondering how they are going to juggle their work and home lives, especially those with children,” Kate told BBC Radio Leicester’s Jimmy Carpenter (pictured above).
Positivity
“But there were lots of learnings from the first lockdown last year and hopefully, we can all take those lessons into this one.
“We talk about positivity a lot at Wellbeing Therapy Solutions and this situation is about how we can stay positive when there is a lack of control in our lives.
“People are fatigued by lockdowns so be kind to yourself this week because the decision to enforce a lockdown has come quickly and allowed nobody to plan ahead.
“Take stock, see what your expectations are see what is still within your control. Ask yourself what can you do to make a positive start this week? Try and be positive but also be realistic about what you can and cannot achieve.
Challenge
“This is a new challenge for us this time because there was lots of nice weather in the summer for us to enjoy outside. This time, it is cold and wet at times but can you find the time to go out in daylight hours, especially if the sun is out?”
“Write down your positive achievements and put them together. I have a jar at home to put mine in.
“And look out for resources to help too. I can recommend the Action For Happiness Calendar. They are a charity ran by a group of people who are committed to building a happier society. Their calendar has small but achievable things to do every day to put some positivity in your life and it is really good.”
If you would like some tips and advice from Kate about dealing with the latest lockdown, homeschooling or your own personal mental health, please get in touch at kate@wellbeingtherapysolutions.co.uk.
