Page 42 - dissertation flip book

APPENDICES 5
Interview with therapists over email transcript- Laura Portsmouth
1) Would you say that you have noticed a particular rise or fall in the amount of people requesting therapy since March when lockdown began?
Answer : I personally haven`t noticed a rise or fall in the amount of enquiries I usually have since lockdown began. My enquiries have always been sporadic and this has continued to be the case since March.
2) Is there any age group in particular who would appear to be struggling more throughout the pandemic and if so, would you be able to explain why?
Answer : As the enquiries I`ve had and clients that I have got have not sought help due to their struggle through the pandemic, I cannot comment as to whether there is a particular age group struggling through this crisis. 3) Do you think this second lockdown is going to worsen people’s mental health?
Answer : My opinion is that for those unable to afford therapy and were already struggling with depression/anxiety, these people will definitely be suffering more with this second lockdown. Sinking more and more into a place of isolation, unable to ask for any help at all or help themselves by being proactive in any way. For those who were managing their mental health quite well before March, I think are struggling more than ever before but are stable enough to be able to help themselves with all the online resources and asking for help from friends and family.
4) Would you have any key tips that would help people during this lockdown?
Answer : To keep as connected to friends/family as is possible. Walks together, zoom, facetime, e mail, share feelings/emotions/worries as much as feel comfortable with. To not have unrealistic expectations of themselves – what was manageable before March may not be as manageable at the moment.
Practice self compassion and self kindness – talk to themselves how they would do a dear friend/family member who was struggling. Quieten the inner critic.
Find level of acceptance where possible with present being as it is but how this will not be forever.
`It`s ok to not be ok`
Find simple things to feel grateful for and remind yourself daily. Write them down to read over daily. Appreciate the simple pleasures in life and the slower pace of life, advantages can be found if look hard enough.
5) Would you say more people are worried about their physical health worsening or more about losing their family and friends which is causing a rise in the amount of people needing therapy, or could it be that it is a mixture of both?
Answer : I would say it’s a mixture of many different worries causing people to need therapy. Sadly the thousands affected financially, losing their jobs etc, life changing circumstances to deal with but no finances to get the therapy which could help them cope better. As I said though, not one of my clients has come with Covid related issues, they all have their own separate issues, relationship, childhood trauma etc. However they are finding it more difficult to cope due to this crisis going on.