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.
READ MORE: Find out more about my work with adults
FIND OUT MORE: About occupational therapy
WATCH: Mindfulness – The first few steps…
