ONLINE Counselling: The Benefits

We are living in a world where "online" now commonly precedes or follows many services or activities.

• Church online

• Online education

• Online conferences

• the list goes on...

The health and allied health sectors have not been spared the influence and necessity of this online trend with tele-health and Zoom sessions becoming the norm in these arenas too.

Since its inception, Samway Counselling Services has adopted an online counselling model, not because of COVID, but rather because its founders, Wayne and Samantha, saw the value in making a quality, professional service available and accessible to anyone whether in the heart of a bustling city or 'out in the sticks' in rural or regional Australia (and even across the Tasman, in New Zealand).

But, what are the benefits of online counselling, one may ask. Is it effective? Can the same benefits be gained as from an in-person session. The answer to these questions is 'yes' and more!

Here are a few benefits to online counselling:

1. Time Saver

With online therapy, you don’t have to travel long distances. Just schedule the best time for you and your online therapist and that’s it! At the appointed time, each party needs to connect to the Internet to get started with the session!

2. Confidentiality

Nobody will need to know that you are undergoing therapy because, with online care, you can carry out the sessions from any location of your choosing without anyone knowing your business.

Because no referral or Mental Health Care Plan is needed, there is no need for a report to be submitted or even a diagnosis to be made. So, your seeing us is strictly confidential.

3. Cost Saver

When performing online therapy, you leave aside expenses like fuel, bus, train or taxi. Since you can do therapy from anywhere, you don’t need to move around to get to a clinic on time!

4. Convenience

Receive counselling in the safety and privacy of your own 'safe space', whether in your home, your caravan, your car, your garden. It's all about you - you choose your space!

5. No Wait Time

In most cases, we can see you within a few days of making an appointment. There's no long waiting list.

With extended hours of availability, you are certain to find a time that suits you.

6. No Referral Needed

No referral from your GP is needed. Neither do you need a Mental Health Care Plan.

You decide if and when you need to chat to us, and go ahead and make the booking at a time that suits you.

With these and many more benefits, there's very little reason to not put your needs first; to continue putting your self-care on the 'back-burner'. If you need someone to talk to or to journey alongside you in this season of your life, why not reach out today. We look forward to meeting with your wherever you are.

BOOK NOW

Compassion Fatigue: When the Pastor’s ‘Empathy Well’ Runs Dry

It’s the middle of the week. Pastor X is sitting in his office preparing for Sunday’s sermon. He answers the ringing phone and on the other end is a parishioner who shares with him some distressing news affecting her family.

Normally this loving pastor would be moved with what this lady was sharing with him; usually he’d drop everything and head over to offer support to the family. On this occasion, however, he hears her out, offers a few ‘low key’ words of encouragement, hangs up the phone and continues with Sunday’s preparation.

Usually, Pastor X would be so deeply moved with compassion and empathy - he usually felt it. This time he felt nothing, absolutely nothing!

Here, Dear Reader, is a classic example of what is known in therapy circles as ‘Compassion Fatigue’.

“Compassion fatigue is defined as an overexposure to suffering and pain that can cause personal stress and a reduced ability to be empathetic”

The bottom line is, we keep giving and giving till we have nothing more to give…. Drained! Empty!

Some experts believe compassion fatigue is a misnomer because it is not fatiguing to extend compassion to others. In some circles there’s a move away from the use of compassion fatigue to talking more about empathy fatigue.

(If you are keen to read more about some neurobiological research in this area, then this article is an interesting read).

Other terms that you may encounter from time to time include:

- Vicarious trauma

- Secondary trauma

As a Pastor, one listens to, and starts taking on the trauma of one’s parishioners and this in turn starts having an unhelpful impact on one’s own psyche. This whole phenomenon has been described by some as the “cost of caring” for others.

• Another member needs to bend your ear.

• Another member needs your advice on something.

• Another member is going through a difficult season.

You give, you pour out, you invest…Pastor, who’s giving back, who’s pouring into your life; who’s re-investing…

One cannot keep pouring without eventually running dry or scraping the bottom of the proverbial barrel. There needs to be a time of stopping, pausing, refilling and refuelling in order to carry on effectively and efficiently.

Closing thoughts

Caring is an inevitable part and an unavoidable expectation of the call to ministry (or any field, for that matter, that involves supporting or caring for others). However, it is draining work; it is hard work. As inevitable as it is for a good pastor to care, so too is it inevitable that this good pastor will hit rock bottom emotionally and psychologically (even spiritually and physically) if adequate boundaries are not in place to ensure that while he is so busy taking care of the souls of others that he himself does not wear out his own.

Do you need a listening ear?

If you need help with working on a ministry self-care plan or finding ways to navigate through a difficult patch in ministry or leadership, contact Samway Counselling Services on

0432 816 005 to discuss your situation and find out how we can help.

Remember your 'WHY' when the Immigration Journey Gets Tough

Why did you make the decision to move from a country as beautiful as South Africa?

Why did you make the decision to leave the country of your birth and start from scratch in a brand new one as an immigrant?

What motivated such a momentous life-changing move, one that when made, would change everything? Your world as you knew it ‘back home’ would never be the same again!

The answers to this question ‘Why’, would no doubt be varied. As our faces differ, so do our experiences in life.

I can almost hear some saying that you made the move because of the ‘horrible crime situation’ back in South Africa. While that is certainly a valid reason, it is not the only one. Some other common reasons often heard are:

• I wanted to provide better opportunities for my children.

• I wanted to pursue better job prospects.

• We were looking for a better and safer lifestyle for our family.

• (For some Christians) We were following the call of God as He led us to different ministry opportunities.

For my family and I, the last reason was the most applicable for us when we emigrated from South Africa back in 2009.

Whatever your reasons for emigrating are (it may be different to the few listed above), the reality is one sets out on the new adventure; what you ‘know’ about what lies ahead is gleaned from research you may have done leading up to the move, but in reality the picture is never a fully clear one. It really is a step of faith (whether one is a person of faith or not).

So, the move was made, eyes bright as a result of the tears shed at the airport as well as the sense of excited anticipation of what lay head. At that point began your ‘happy forever after’…BUT…wait…let’s fast forward to present day, 5, 10, 15+ years since you turned that immigration leaf in the story of your life. How are you feeling about it now?

Some common murmurings that we hear from immigrant clients that we counsel revolve around the following:

• Loss of family support

• Children growing up without ouma (granny) and oupa (grandpa), tannies (aunties), ooms (uncles), neefs en niggies (cousins).

• The cultural values and morals that one is trying to instil in the lives of one’s children so that they ‘don’t forget their roots’, are being questioned or even disdained by them.

In light of these emerging challenges, amongst others, one could be left with doubts, questions, inner wrestling at times surrounding immigration. How do you deal with those niggling doubts, which if left unchecked, could lead to a sense of despondency.

Well, could I encourage you, if you find yourself in this space, to revisit the ‘why’? Go back to the first paragraph and answer those ‘why’ questions truthfully. The true nitty gritty of it. No fantasy, no ideal pie-in-the-sky idealising about the future. Be real. Why did you make the move?

You see, much may have changed since you arrived in your new country of residence. Some expectations may not have been met. The job may not have panned out as hoped. Other family challenges may have surfaced over the years. But, you know what, the constant in all of these seasons of change is the answer to that ‘WHY’. That remains immutable/unchanging.

As you revisit that ‘why’ – your reason(s) for immigrating- may that be a source of encouragement, hope and motivation. You made the decision, with the best intentions, based on knowledge you had at the time; you had no control of the future, what may or may not transpire. You took that step of faith and hope back then, hold onto that faith and hope now; stand firm in that faith and hope; move forward in that faith and hope!

Don’t give out, give in or give up, but fan into flame the embers of dying dreams and shattered hopes and step into the future confidently, remembering your why!

---

If you or someone you know can do with an empathetic listening ear, do contact Samway Counselling Services today and let's journey together:

Telephone/ Text/ Whatsapp: 0432 816 005

Web: www.samwaycounselling.com.au

Business Card: https://card.link/items/sGS6pmOGAu