Coronavirus (Covid-19) Support

• respiratory droplets generated when you cough or sneeze
• close, prolonged personal contact, such as touching or shaking hands
• touching something with the virus on it, then touching your mouth, nose or eyes before washing your hands

“Canadians should continue to think ahead about the actions that they can take to stay healthy and prevent the spread of COVID-19 in Canada, including: 

• being prepared in case you or a family member become ill
• following the latest travel advice from federal and provincial public health leaders:
  • avoiding all non-essential travel, including cruise ships
  • self-isolating, and monitoring for symptoms (cough, fever or difficulty breathing) for 14 days if you have travelled outside of Canada
• reducing contact with others by following the guidance for self-monitoring, self-isolating, or isolating
• practicing social distancing and proper hygiene wearing masks, if necessary”

Reference: Government of Canada

With growing global concerns around COVID-19 (“coronavirus”), we are thinking of you and your loved ones. We want to abide by the BC Government’s guidelines to stay open as an essential resource. At the same time, we want to keep our counsellors and the community at large, safe at this time. We have been back in person at some capacity since June 1st, 2020, following WCB reopening guidelines. As of October 2020, the majority of our counsellors are now working in person.

For those not comfortable to return to in person counselling, all our counsellors are offering remote sessions in the form online video  platforms, such as Doxy.me, Zoom, Skype, Google Hangouts, etc. 

Free platforms such as Zoom Doxy.me do not require any set up, software, or accounts to utilize and are secure and do not store any of the video chats in any way. One thing to note is that due to the nature of online communication, it is not possible to ensure the same degree of confidentiality as in-person counselling. However, your counsellor will do all that is in their power to ensure that you have a private and confidential space.  

Remember that your counsellor is still there for you as a support and can connect with you with greater flexibility during this time. Having someone to reach out to and a space to process all the feelings that may be coming up for you can help make this feel more manageable and give you a sense of connection is particularly important at this time.

It is all too easy right now to get lost in worries about your own health, your loved ones and your country. It is important to acknowledge your feelings and accept them as they show up, while trying not to get lost and overwhelmed by them. 

One thing that can help is to focus on things that are in your control. Asking yourself what is in your power to do, to help yourself or others, can give a sense of direction and engagement and also gives you something to focus on. 

Worries about the future can bring extra stress and compromise our ability to cope. Simply bringing your attention to the present moment can give you a chance to detach from those worries, even if just temporarily. Paying attention and being mindful in your daily activities, practicing yoga or meditation or even just taking a moment to check in with how you’re feeling are all great ways of returning to the present. 

At a time like this, connection with others is more important than ever. Reaching out to social supports allows you to still feel connected to others and share your experiences. If you feel comfortable, consider sharing how you feel with people you trust. Many communities are still connecting over online platforms and it may be worthwhile to check out events or meetings that interest you as a way of remaining connected and engaged. 

Taking care of your body and mind is important right now, and so is having compassion for yourself. Practice self-kindness by checking in with your needs and doing things that nourish and soothe you.