How does my physical health affect my mental wellbeing?

Learning to live with a long-term health condition can be challenging and people with lung disease often report having to make changes in their day-to-day lives. Things that were easy might be harder to do, leading to frustration and rising stress levels. Anxiety and depression can be problematic, particularly as the disease progresses. Physical and emotional health is not separate and it’s important to think about how to increase overall wellbeing to maximise quality of life.

What is counselling?

Counselling takes place in a private and confidential setting and provides the opportunity to explore the issues that are affecting wellbeing.

Counselling is not a cure. You will need to work in partnership with your counsellor and this will be an individual experience.

Having time – in a neutral space – can help to reflect on difficulties with a new perspective and give a clearer understanding of your own needs.

You and your counsellor will meet face-to-face and following an assessment, will make a contract for future sessions. The assessment will look at gathering information about your current situation, any difficulties or problems you have and how long you have been experiencing them.

Who can have counselling?

Counselling is available to adults with a respiratory diagnosis and close adult family members. It provides additional support to the healthcare you already receive from your respiratory physiotherapist, respiratory nurse and GP as part of an integrated approach.

An initial assessment will help you and your counsellor decide if it will be beneficial and appropriate for you. You are under no obligation to attend further sessions if you feel that counselling is not going to benefit you.

When your referral is received you will be sent a letter of acknowledgement and your counsellor will contact you as soon as there is an appointment available.

What sort of problems can counselling help with?

Some common presenting problems are listed below but this is not exhaustive.

• Anxiety.
• Depression.
• Bereavement.
• End of life issues.
• Issues around loss; this might include confidence, work, finances, housing, health and relationships and historic issues.

How can I access counselling? 

You can refer yourself. Patients attending pulmonary rehabilitation programmes will also be given a self-referral form. Clinics are available in east Kent.

Your physiotherapist, nurse or GP can also refer you at your request. Our qualified counsellors are experienced practitioners in the respiratory field and are registered and accredited members of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP).

What do other people think?

• “The counsellor was very good at picking up problems I had not realised were causing part of the difficulties, and was able to help me understand them”
• “After my first session I realised that making the decision to attend and seek help had certainly been the right step to take for me.”
• “I found it much easier to discuss any personal issues with someone outside of my family circle and I think it helped me to come to terms with them.”
• “It is very reassuring to know that I can ask for the service again.”
• “I cannot stress how important it was to be able to talk to someone who specialises in people like me with pulmonary problems and not just a general counsellor.”