"Long Covid"

Three and a half years ago I developed Covid. I was working as a teacher in a special needs school with very tactile pupils. It was inevitable. It was severe and I just couldn't seem to recover. I couldn't understand how friends and  family got over covid, returned to work and got back to normal living when I could not. Even getting out of bed and having a cup of tea proved, on most days, unmanageable.

After a few months my Dr referred me to the long Covid clinic. I attended the covid doctor and began online workshops with other people similar to myself. Tina was excellent, providing advice and fantastic strategies on fatigue, insomnia and anxiety. I also benefitted from one to one online sessions with Tina and online counselling with Inspire. I was grateful to receive so much help but I just wasn't getting any better. My anxiety levels were sky high. I had numerous panic attacks on a daily basis and life continued to be a huge struggle. I had enormous guilt over not being able to attend family events including my own retirement lunch. I had panic attacks passing certain buildings until I basically could not leave the house, even with another person. I even struggled to go into my own enclosed garden.

I had been referred to Naomi for clinical psychology. At first there was the initial panic of this being face-to-face. Everything else had been online, or as with counselling, over the phone. With online, if I didn't feel like taking part I stayed quiet and let others speak. This time, I couldn't hide. I knew I needed this and was determined to attend. My husband drove me and waited for me. I immediately was welcomed and drawn to the warmness and kindness of Naomi. Naomi tailored appointments to my needs using a variety of therapies: ACT; CBT;EMDR as well as some necessary cognitive assessments.

I spent 2 years attending Naomi on a one-to-one basis and I cannot put enough value on this face-to-face engagement, which you definitely cannot replicate online. It felt much more informal. There was an unique warmth. Naomi was able to notice appearance, how I dressed, hands, feet, energy and also small changes you would not notice on an online session. She was able to adapt and move therapy in a different direction if needed on that particular day. She got to know me and what I needed each session. There is definitely a place for online therapy but in my own experience I allowed others to talk, I sat back and noted how 1 or 2 people out of a group of perhaps 6-8 people did most of the talking. This, I note, is normal in any group situation. I also found it difficult, particularly when unwell to set up zoom calls. It was just an added stress for me.

For me, there was a particular comfort in a face-to-face session. The effort required for me to go to my appointment was huge and at one point it was the only time I left the house, but this was important. A life line. It was set at my own pace. Over time, family and friends noticed changes. My anxiety levels had lessened and strategies I had learned from both Tina and Naomi where being used to help me throughout the day. I get out more often now and look forward to events with friends and family. The anxiety and fatigue associated with long Covid will, I know, always be there and I may continue to struggle, but through Naomi I have strategies in place that I know help and work for me. I cannot thank Naomi and this service enough for the life line they have provided. Online services have their place but face to face, definitely, for me, is more authentic and real.

A Big Thankyou.