Benefit of Online Counselling in These Stressful Times

Please Note: Using our latest online help that we are providing is not meant to replace or substitute actually being at Hope Rehab itself for detox and treatment. Hope Rehab is where you experience the powerful realizations and unity working together as a group, learning to work as a team, or the face-to-face intimate relationship with your counsellor. Part of what makes Hope one of the best treatment centers is our secure environment and unique atmosphere, the Thai culture, the diverse team, the facility and accommodation, the food, sharing the everyday lessons learned by living in our community, also all our many recourses and much much more…we do understand this! — However, our online program that we have (initially used for aftercare) now also used for pre-Rehab preparation due to delays in getting here is working very well and is now part of our package.

Hello and welcome, wherever you are in the world. We’re living in unprecedented times, and I imagine the unpredictability of it has rattled a few nerves out there. Without the distraction of our day-to-day work and activities, many will have been left with a lot of time to think about their life and reflect on themselves, maybe for the first time. The unfortunate truth for some is that they might be uncomfortable with what they find there.

Perhaps without regular, in person contact with our friends you’ve started to question “do they even care? / like me? / what friends!?”Perhaps with all the extra time on your hands and lack of stimulation your intake of alcohol or drugs has risen to a level that you’re not content with (or certainly wouldn’t want anyone to know the true amount!). Or maybe you’ve been put on furlough, and now you’re having an identity crisis; who are you without the job that held so much of your sense of self?

Well, I have two pieces of good news for you: 1) These thoughts are completely NORMAL and 2) online counselling could be the perfect way for you to resolve these and many other issues you are struggling with.

But first, lets back up for a second and consider why counselling is a good mode of therapy for you. How is it more effective than a glut of self help books or a winge to your friends? I’ve compiled a list of just some of the benefits of engaging in counselling but there are many more:

Accountability – counsellors will motivate you to follow through with what you promised yourself last week. You’re much more likely to give it a go if you know you’ll have to give a progress report next session and we’ll help you with forming the manageable steps you’ll need to take to reach your goal
Progress – Week by week you will start to make some progress however small it may feel while still at home and in the community. This will start to give you a sense of achievement rather than feeling stuck and unfulfilled.
Improved Mental Health – All human beings benefit from staying healthy, this include both physical and mental health, anyone going through addiction issues will be mentally impacted whether they are aware of it or not.
You wont just be told what you think you want to hear – counsellors are objective participants in your journey. Yes, we’re right beside you every step of the way, but we’re not so concerned if you’re going to ‘like’ what we suggest if we think it’s what is best for you (unlike the way a friend might agree with you or tell a white lie in order to preserve the friendship).
Talking therapy is powerful – it is incredibly liberating to open up to someone who has a totally unbiased position with no fear of judgement. A counsellor has no preconception of you; there are no ‘shoulds’ or ‘shouldn’ts’; just a desire to listen, understand and help.
It’s confidential – This is your therapy even if someone is helping fund it. As long as the counsellor doesn’t think you’re a harm to yourself or others, they keep all your disclosures between you and the counsellor.
Family and loved ones – Your loved ones will be greatly relieved that you have started to find a solution and making an effort to change, they are also suffering and need to recover.
You’ll learn to manage your emotions and behaviours – your counsellor will be able to teach you a whole host of tools and techniques (often ones that they use themselves) to help you control your mental, emotional and physical wellbeing.
You’ll learn it’s OK not to be OK – in fact, it’s pretty normal. We spend much of our lives being told to “suck it up” or our pride gets in the way of opening up. But I’ll let you in on a little secret; its actually incredibly brave and shows great strength when you’re able to get vulnerable.
There is no problem too big or too small – you can literally bring anything to session; if it’s important to you, it’s important to your counsellor.
Preparing to come to Hope Rehab – This will help you take full advantage of all our Activities and therapy when you do finally get to Hope Rehab in Thailand.

Sign up here

The good news is Hope Rehab Thailand is accepting international clients again. Thailand is prioritizing medical tourism visitors for licensed facilities like Hope. The first step is to get in touch, and we will start your medical visa application. If you require immediate help, we suggest online counselling by one of the therapeutic team. Some of our Counsellors offer independent online professional counselling and coaching. On the next page you can select a counsellor of your choice.

I could go on …..

What about online counselling?

Technology has allowed us to bring counselling to you, wherever you are in the world. Sessions are no longer restricted to office hours in set locations. Therapy can be arranged at a time that suits you, from anywhere you like, across a host of mediums. Some people are also more comfortable and less anxiety is induced receiving therapy online as opposed to the traditional face to face settings. Indeed, although we’re always working hard to remove any social stigma, some clients will feel more comfortable accessing therapy online because it adds another layer of privacy.

Whatever is concerning you, wherever you are, I urge you to contact one of our counsellors and find out how you can emerge from this pandemic more confident and healthier than you were before. Take a look at some of the topics we can help you with and the counsellor’s profiles Here.

As I final thought, and perhaps most importantly, I want to tell you that the hardest part is going to be making the first enquiry, but it will be absolutely worth it. Nothing ventured, nothing gained!

The first step is the hardest in every journey of dreams. There is nothing else to fear unto whosoever has shown the tenacity to begin; because, once having started, the hardest part of the mission is the one lying behind.

Moffat Machingura