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

[Chris-duck]

I asked a while back (so last T but same NHS service as now) n got told it'd probably be a long time before in person was done again. And there's no plans for moving to in person for my NHS service currently. But um, I kinda prefer online I think so it doesn't bother me really.

 

[Movingforward10]

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?

Yeah, I wonder. Can T's ask their clients those questions? I'm making massive assumptions that my T is vaccinated, but how on earth do I know? And my appointment is likely to be on of her last as it's later afternoon, so everyone will have been in that room before me. So hard to know what is ok to ask and what isn't.

I asked a while back (so last T but same NHS service as now) n got told it'd probably be a long time before in person was done again. And there's no plans for moving to in person for my NHS service currently. But um, I kinda prefer online I think so it doesn't bother me really.

Interesting the NHS has said that.


My T has mentioned a couple of times about the difference online. Like she has said it is more intense as there isn't the room to give more space. Idk. But that gives me the impression she would prefer in person. Personally, I think in person is more intense as it's in 'her' space and she sees all of me. Different takes on it.

 

[barefoot]

I think it’s fine and reasonable to ask all those questions @RNrecovery

 

[Chris-duck]

I think it’s fine and reasonable to ask all those questions @RNrecovery

Yeah same. But be prepared for a vague answer about other patients (like whether they have all been vaccinated).

 

[Movingforward10]

Can a T ask clients that though? Is it ethical?
Like, will they only see clients in person if they have been vaccinated?

 

[Chris-duck]

Can a T ask clients that though? Is it ethical?
Like, will they only see clients in person if they have been vaccinated?

They can ask. Clients can lie. Ts can't tell other clients about other people's vaccination status

 

[barefoot]

I guess if they are just a solo set up, they can decide whatever terms they want to work on. So, if they only want to see ppl in person who have been fully vaccinated/who will wear masks or if they want to ensure there’s some social distance etc, I guess they can.

My T for instance - her partner is clinically vulnerable so I know she will be very hot on assessing risk. We both know the other is double vaccinated. I don’t know if she knows the vaccination status of all other clients - or whether they all know hers.

But I can’t see how they can insist on seeing proof of vaccinations really?

And I think they would still need some offering (ie remaining online) for other clients they’re working with so as not to discriminate?

I guess the building owners may also have policies in place that T’s who rent space there have to follow?

 

[RNrecovery]

I know the UK laws may be different but in the US you can 100% ask for vaccination status. A medical provider can’t share “my Patient jimmy before you is vaccinated” but they can share their plan with you “I am only seeing unvaccinated patents on Fridays” or “I am not seeing unvaccinated in person” or “unvaccinated patients must wear a mask”. Your t doesn’t have to tell you if they are vaccinated but for me that will be a deal breaker. If they won’t answer then I can’t see them. I think mine is but I’m putting off asking because we aren’t in person and I really need her right now.

How much control the indivual T has is somewhat based on their practice. If they are private then they will just need to follow any government laws. If they work for a company that company may not allow the T to ask vaccination status or group unvaccinated during certain times ever though from a legal standpoint then can.

I am not looking forward to these conversations. I know legally what health care can and can’t do. But talking to my therapist about it is whole different ballgame. I wish you all weren’t dealing with this but thank you for making me feel less alone about it.

 

[mylunareclipse]

I am in US but I just went back in person end of June and it’s when I met my T in person for the first time. The difference in the work is astonishing. it’s like we are meeting all new all over again. I am lucky that both T and I are double vaccinated for a long time ( we just randomly revealed this during discussions when it happened). And now that we are back she also has confessed that she really didn’t like online sessions either (neither did I). So it seems like we will go on this way unless we go in a full lockdown again. Neither of us wears a mask when we meet, the room is big, she has the window open and we sit about 5 or 6 feet apart.

 

[Movingforward10]

I am not looking forward to these conversations. I know legally what health care can and can’t do. But talking to my therapist about it is whole different ballgame. I wish you all weren’t dealing with this but thank you for making me feel less alone about it.

Yeah, I hear you. I struggle with asking my T questions. I'm going to try and start the session with it today. Get it out of the way.

June and it’s when I met my T in person for the first time. The difference in the work is astonishing. it’s like we are meeting all new all over again. I

This is really interesting. Do you mind sharing a bit more about what the difference is? Obviously don't if you don't want to! I only saw my T in person for two months before it went on line. So I'm a bit apprehensive about what being in person might be like.

 

[Movingforward10]

I asked my T.
She's stopped renting her room, so she needs to find a new room that is bigger, with better ventilation, and better internet connection.
She won't be wearing a mask in the room.
She'll let me know when this is happening, so for now it is online.
.glad I asked.

 

[mylunareclipse]

Ah glad you asked too! Seems like it will be a bit longer for you. But hopefully soon enough. And if online works well for you maybe it’s not such a big deal.
For me, online therapy kind of worked but I just couldn’t wait to meet in person. It’s hard to explain what the difference did. It’s just in the feelings of being present with someone and being seen that the video calls cannot replicate. But at the same time like I said I am feeling a lot of parts rotate in and out trying to settle as though my body doesn’t know how to react to T now that we meet in person.