I’m taking this opportunity to reach out to all my past, current and potential clients.

How things have changed in a short space of time! Fortunately, our bodies and brains are very capable of adapting. However unusual the new circumstances might feel right now, soon it will most likely feel quite normal. Once you settle in to a different routine at home or in life in general, your gastrointestinal symptoms may even be happier and more settled, as you don’t have to worry about finding toilets when you are out or eating foods that don’t agree with you. For others, additional work stress or financial strain or worry about family members, may be aggravating your GI symptoms, as your body struggles to adapt quickly with ongoing changes.

Regardless of how your body is reacting, there will be time when we get through this and need to re-engage with the world around us. As much as we look forward to that time, it will be a “new normal” that our bodies again need to adjust to. At that time, your Gastrointestinal or anxiety symptoms may decide it was “safer” being at home and may complain about you re-engaging. It is an important time and a great opportunity, to continue to settle and improve your gastrointestinal symptoms. It is an important time to continue to move and exercise, as this is important for gut health. It may also be a good opportunity to experiment by broadening the foods that you eat, if you don’t have to be as concerned about the repercussions of this for “going to work”.

I would encourage all past clients to continue their practices, recordings and strategies. If you have forgotten how to access the recordings, please email or text me and I can reconnect you to them. Any clients that have temporarily put their treatment “on hold”, I would encourage you to continue with your strategies or have a initial session with me to discuss what you can do to maintain or progress things yourself, in the mean time. Potential clients are still encouraged to contact me by phone to have an initial chat about the possible options, so you can use this time to your advantage. It is encouraging to see that most clients, who have commenced interventions with me, are very keen to continue throughout this difficult time, as they see the value in what they have started.

Needless to say we are still here to assist you, in a variety of forms. We are a small, boutique practice, therefore are able to comfortably conform to social distancing guidelines. Those that currently attend the clinic report feeling safe and comfortable. There are of course Telehealth options and we are up and running with these. Or even a good old-fashioned phone call can answer any initial questions.

Of course, it is essential that if you:

• Feel unwell on the day of a face-to-face appointment, you cancel and the usual late cancellation fee will be waived. We all have an obligation to the health and well being of others and ourselves.
• If you personally fall within an “at risk” group, due to health issues of yourself or those close to you, we would encourage you to consider Telehealth options.
• If you have recently travelled from interstate, live with someone who has recently travelled or know someone being tested for COVID19, it is essential that you let us know and we can consider the safest option moving forward.

Please let me know if I can assist in any way.

Kind Regards
Cathy Martin
0412280257
cathy@gutpsych.com.au