The experience of one therapist during the time of covid

Currently, therapists are allowed to practice in Switzerland (yay!), so this means our office can stay open for sessions. This also means that we will continue to have a health protection plan to keep everyone safe and healthy. These include: Working from home, when possible Wearing a mask within the practice, as well as during sessions Providing disinfectant for clients and colleagues to clean hands, especially upon arrival or between activities Keeping more than 1.5m distan

As COVID cases continue to rapidly increase, I am questioning how to continue working in a way that provides both safety and quality. Although I did move to an online-only way of working during the spring, I would like to avoid doing this again, if possible. This could of course change based on government restrictions, but for the moment I am still able to provide sessions in the office. Therefore, I am kindly requesting clients to consider if they have the ability and willi

As you may have seen, there are some painful events happening in the US right now, especially affecting people of color. Many activists are speaking out, which I hope will bring about positive changes. As an American and as a therapist, this touches me deeply, and I have been reflecting on my role as a white person, a woman, and as a therapist on a global scale. I feel that as therapists, we cannot limit our work to the counseling room, but should also be aware and act

The coronavirus crisis is ongoing and ever-changing. Part I of this blog series focused on the basics - setting up a routine while staying at home, the importance of connecting with others, and how to take care of yourself. So now, two months later, what else can we do to manage the stress and fear associated with the trauma we continue to live? Many of us are still experiencing high levels of fear. Why is that? As humans, we have a built-in threat defense system that helps k

You may be wondering - "what's with the tiger in your logo?". Well, the tiger can, of course, be symbolic of many things. Maybe the wild, animal nature in all of us. For some, it could represent anger. The way he's sitting in the tree could represent either strength or loneliness. Everyone may have a different interpretation, which is something I love about my new logo (created by local artist Natacha Veen). However, the main reason I wanted the tiger represented in my logo i

This time has been, for me, a time to slow down, reflect, and focus on what's essential. That has included continuing my work with clients, which I am so grateful for (not everyone has been able to work, nor feel like they have more time for themselves), as well as connecting with nature, listening to music, re-energizing my at-home yoga practice, and just taking time to connect with myself and others. It has, of course, come with some fear, which I realized is a natura

When you hear the word crisis, how does that feel? In your body? In your heart? Most likely the word crisis, disaster, or confinement will evoke some kind of a physical reaction. Maybe a constriction in your chest or stomach, a headache, tension in your face or neck. Can you sit with that? Could you wait and see what happens next? What might come after the initial panic, worry, or fear? Take a moment. Take a deep breath. Listen before moving on to the next thing. Many of us (

For me, travel is a time to slow down, to reflect, and usually to read a good book or two. In a recent holiday to the Croatian coast, I found myself with a few extra hours to spare as I sailed towards my destination via ferry boat. In my bag I had plenty to explore – books, magazines, downloaded podcasts. I decided I was in the mood for a light read and chose a magazine. I dove into my Yoga Journal and came across an article entitled Quantum Leap – A Guide to Navigating True

As my reading list is constantly being updated, I thought it would be better to find a way to share my favorite books, updated in real time. To see what books I recommend, as well as to see what I’m currently reading, please see my GoodReads account. Also, if you haven’t yet heard of the English book sale in Geneva, check it out here. Many of the books on my shelves come from these sales. Photo: Pexels

I get this question a lot. What is a Counselor? And what’s the difference from a psychologist or psychiatrist? In Switzerland, counseling is a field which is not yet well known. Counseling has existed in the USA and the U.K. since the 1950’s and is now a widely known and respected practice. However, there is still some confusion between psychiatry, psychology, and counseling. A psychiatrist in a medical doctor who can diagnose and treat mental illness using a combination of t

Being in a couple can be complicated. Luckily, there are ways to improve your relationship. By developing awareness of and skills for healthy relationships, you can already start making things better. Here are some free resources from the Gottman Institute which can be a good starting point: Top Seven Ways to Improve your Marriage How to prioritize your relationship after kids Cultivating happiness in your couple Card Decks App to foster connection and of course, conflict man

We live in relationship with others. Whether it’s with friends or coworkers, romantic partners or family members, having connection is important. However, at times we all have difficulties managing these relationships. The most common relationships difficulties I see include: Difficulties finding and keeping friends or romantic partners Being in unsatisfying relationship(s) A need for improved communication and conflict management skills Not finding the support we need Counse

Stress is something that everyone experiences, however at some point in our lives, we will all have difficulties managing it. This can be due to several factors, including facing stresses that we have never experienced before, such as international relocation, being in a stressful job or relationship, getting married, dealing with grief, and many more life experiences. Stress can also come out in a variety of ways including feeling out of control of your emotions, crying or g

Having experienced my own international transitions as well as being a native English speaker makes me an ideal choice for many people seeking counseling in Geneva. Many people moving abroad underestimate the impact such a change can have, and often don’t know where to turn. I use my understanding of the international experience to help my clients going through the transition of first moving to Geneva, but also those who have been here for a longer time. Common things I see i

In an interesting report from the RTS last night which explored burnout in Switzerland, psychologists and victims of workplace burnout explored the burnout experience. I see this in my practice very often. Many of my clients are either on the path to, in the middle of, or are recovering from burnout. Some have even recovered once before but are again facing the same challenge. Burnout is becoming all too common. Usually linked to the workplace, burnout is “a chronic stress th

A few months ago, I did an interview with expatarrivals.com, a site aimed to help smooth the transition for new expats coming to Switzerland. They wanted to know what my transition here was like and how I coped with it. I’ve hesitated sharing the interview here, as I usually don’t share much about my personal life on my website, but I think it could be helpful for expats in Geneva to know that struggling after the move is completely normal- even I did! If you or someone you k

Technology is quite amazing these days, with even phone apps addressing mental health needs. Whether you’re travelling or waiting around for public transportation, they’re accessible! Here are 5 apps you might want to check out: Mindshift – for managing anxiety and stress Headspace – to learn how to apply mindfulness to everyday life Habitica – a fun way to increase productivity and manage time Mood tracker – get in touch with and track your emotions Sleep Cycle Alarm Clock –

In 2013, Shonda Rimes, creator of series such as Grey’s Anatomy and Scandal, realized that she was always saying no. A working mother and a highly creative professional, she told herself she was happy…ish. She then decided that she would spend an entire year saying yes, especially to the things that scared her. In her words, she was “going to say yes to anything and everything that scares me. For a whole year. Or until you have to bury me”. What ensues is a year of saying yes

At the beginning of the New Year, I was hearing a lot about The Happiness Project. I went to New York and people were buzzing about it. I saw it in bookstore windows, heard about it on the news and TV talk shows. But what was it? I decided to find out. A happiness project is “an approach to changing your life… by identifying what brings you joy, satisfaction, and engagement, and also what brings you guilt, anger, boredom, and remorse… then you make the resolutions, then you i