Due to the current global pandemic, every counsellor and psychologist around has suddenly switched to offering their services by video sessions only (or phone, in some cases). We are all thankful that mental health support can continue to be provided at all during this challenging time, especially when the need for psychological counselling will inevitably only increase as the public health crisis progresses.

Naturally, many people are wondering, is video counselling:

a) Just as effective as in-person sessions?

B) Almost as effective?

C) Not effective at all?

D) Even more effective?

E) It’s all we've got, so let’s do it regardless of the actual answer.

Jokes aside, of course we want to KNOW what the research says!

I recently pulled something in my shoulder and suddenly had a bout of acute pain that lasted for many days. Like most of us, I’ve had my share of injuries and pain, but this issue was so sudden and affected so much of my day to day life that it really threw me off my game. I couldn’t do many of my usual activities and experienced jabbing pains with every micro-movement I made. I found myself catastrophizing, focusing all my attention on the pain and how terrible it was, and it really dominated all my attention.

Read on for strategies for responding to pain…