Hello World!

By way of introduction, my name is Claudia Sartor and I am Counsellor and Global Mental Health Advocacy leader based in Johannesburg, South Africa.

My area of specialisation lies is in wellness and spirituality counselling. In other words, my approach entails life skills coaching and body-mind-spirit cohesion in improving quality of life. I help my clients by introducing them to the use of positive psychology techniques and to the concept of mindfulness and self-awareness. I encourage meaningful conversation during my sessions which enables us to delve into the events and emotions that have caused distress and an unhealthy state of mind and well-being.

Well-being is more than just feeling good and being physically healthy. It extends to the state of our mind, body and spirit. The key to wellness is finding inner peace and self-acceptance. Admittedly, this sounds easier than it probably is to achieve. We live in a world where we are exposed to busy work and home lifestyles, tight deadlines, illness, crime and so forth. How are we expected to be mentally and physically healthy? This is where the role of mental health professionals is crucial.

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As a supportive counsellor, my job is to screen individuals, determine what they may be lacking and why and also to assist in drawing up a plan (together with my client) setting out their goals and finding ways of achieving those goals. This requires honesty and integrity on my part but also the willingness and active participation by my client. No one person experiences the same thing in the same way, similarly, no one professional approaches counselling in the same way.

We all need different things to feel truly happy. My approach challenges you to focus on what you actually need and I ask the question of what must you to do to achieve your needs? Sometimes we act impulsively to get what we want and need. This is why my approach encourages emotional resilience which helps one to react and behave rationally.

Yes, the world is in crisis with the Coronavirus spreading fast across the globe but this does not mean that we cannot help you. This does not mean that you need to avoid being social; socialising can be done online, via WhatsApp, by dialling a number. The interaction may not be face-to-face, but your social system must remain in place. My concern is that persons with mental health lived experience may find it difficult to continue therapy sessions which may lead to them feeling alone and fearful of their state of well-being. Rest assured, I continue to offer teletherapy, skype and zoom sessions.

Primary healthcare service providers continue to do their best to help people during this difficult time and the same is true for me. For those of you who have not experienced heightened anxiety like this before and/or feel unusually down as a result of forced isolation, and you do not know how to handle it, please do not hesitate to contact a professional . The same applies to individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19.

Like with mental health, there is an increased stigma surrounding the illness. Society remains sceptical of the unknown. We have come to notice new things about the illness and our emotions have intensified. We are creatures of habit and when we are exposed to uncertainty and chaos and a lack of control, we panic. Panic causes unrest. Unrest causes anxiety. Anxiety causes fear. Fear causes judgement.

My message to you (and not just particular to the covid-19 pandemic we are experience right now) is to remember that you are important and worthy of living a healthy and happy life. If you are struggling with any of the following areas, please contact me to find a workable solution.