Anyone in England, UK gone back to in person therapy?

[Movingforward10]

Just going back to this thread. My T is still doing online. I think I might ask her tomorrow about in person.

I know some people in the UK have gone back to in person, but others are still online.
Do you mind sharing what your T's are saying about it?
I keep reading the updating BACP guidance, which basically says it's up to the T and the situation.

But if you are in person, are you or your T wearing masks? Sitting further apart? Anything different?

 

[Survivor3]

I'm back in "in person". Wear a mask entering and exiting the building but take it off in session.

 

[Movingforward10]

Thanks @Survivor3 . Do you mind me asking how big the room is you meet your T?

The room my T had was quite small.

 

[Survivor3]

The room is quite big and we sit about 8 feet apart.

 

[Movingforward10]

Thanks.

I wonder if my T would get a bigger room? I need to ask her what she will do. The room is so small so the chairs can't go further away from each other. Which makes me worried.

 

[Survivor3]

Yeah we are in the attic so it's a big room. The rooms downstairs are much smaller. I hope you can see her in person soon. Maybe ask her or email her.

 

[Movingforward10]

Yeah, I think I will ask her tomorrow. I think I'd like to know if this is going to happen or not and if it is, when. So that I can plan.

Bit apprehensive about going back to in person. Will be so odd being in the same room as her again! I only had that for 2 months , and then Bering online since March 2020.

 

[barefoot]

Still no mention of in-person for me. And I’m fine with that. I often used to tie in therapy sessions with days I was in London for work to save myself a special 4 hr round trip. But since my work clients are not back in their offices yet, I’m still working remotely. Don’t fancy a train journey into London and a ride on the tube ‘just’ to see her when I could just hop on a zoom call at home.

And she’s still not back in London herself anyway. Not sure whether she has plans to move back to London or whether she will now just stay at her boyfriend’s place in the countryside where she has been all through the pandemic.

She did say she’d asked several clients what their preference was and they had all said stick to online sessions. So, I’ve no idea whether she will ever return to in-person work like before.

The thought of not ever seeing her again in-person feels strange…

Definitely ask her

 

[Movingforward10]

Thanks for sharing @barefoot . It's interesting how different T's are responding differently.

I will ask tomorrow!

 

[barefoot]

Yeah, I think it depends on so many factors like what their in-person set up is, their client’s preferences, their own risk assessment, what changes there might have been in T’s lives/circumstances since start of the pandemic…lots of variables.

I also know my T hadn’t given return to in-person a thought until a client asked to see her in person a couple of months ago. (Though, of course, we have had restrictions eased since then). But it might be that your T isn’t sure yet and maybe hasn’t really thought about it, so you asking will get her considering next steps.

What answer are you hoping for?

 

[Movingforward10]

Yeah, I haven't asked her so far because the government guidance was to work from home if you can. And she could (with me anyway...I obviously don't know about her other clients).
But now the guidance has changed and it's "return to work with caution" and a gradual return, I just wonder what her plans are?
Her website and everything still has her office on it. Her psychology today thing has that she is offering online at the moment.

I'm not sure what I'm hoping for as it's very easy doing online. No need to travel. No need to compose myself on public transport after.
Also, online she can't see all my fidgeting I do with my hands. All that would be exposed to her in person.
But also, when internet connection issues happen, it's super annoying. And can be upsetting.

I think I'd prob like a mixture of both: alternating every week? I don't know if that is possible and if that is more disruptive.

I would obviously go with whatever she says: no sure there is much choice in the matter!

 

[RNrecovery]

I prefer in person therapy but am worried about what will happen when she goes back. I need to ask my therapist if that is on the horizon and if she is going to make it mandatory. She is in an older building and I am sure the air circulation isn't great. I worry about all the patients who go through the room before me. Has anyone felt comfortable asking about things like air turnover, Ts vaccination status, and if they are requiring other patients to be vaccinated?