We know you might have some questions, or even some worries. That’s perfectly normal.
We’ve got you covered.
I don’t like the sound of it. Is it the same as in-person coaching?
How the coaching is delivered will obviously be slightly different, but the impact is exactly the same.
Best thing we’d recommend? Give it a go. We’ve often found just having the first session is the biggest hurdle. After that, people love it.
And if it’s really not for you, that’s okay.
I don’t want people in my house listening. What do I do?
We completely understand the worry. It can be a real benefit having this in the comfort of your own home, and not having to worry about how you need to be at work, but if you’re worried about housemates or family listening, here are some tips:
- You can use headphones so that your Sanctus Coach won’t be heard by anyone other than you
- It’s okay to ask your Coach to pause while you wait for your fellow house member to walk by
- You can play music or something similar to create some background noise
- If you feel able to, we’d recommend letting whoever else is in your house know that you’ve got a Coaching call (or just “important call”) at the time slot you have, and you’d really appreciate it if they could be out of the house for that time
- Failing that, perhaps you could take the session as a call while you walk around the local park
I don’t like talking on the phone!
We know that sometimes it can feel a little weird and awkward talking over the phone when you can’t see someone on the other end. We’d recommend having a video call with your Coach as it can really help to see a friendly face.
Name any anxieties that you have with your Coach – it’s totally okay to say “this feels weird” or even to start by saying you weren’t sure whether virtual coaching would work for you. Remember, your Coach is there to support you 🙂 They’ve done this dozens of times and can help you find a way to settle into the session and feel safe.
Worried that if you turn the camera on it might impact your connection, or want to turn your camera on or off? Let your Coach know about that too.
As with most things in life, the first bit is the hardest. You’ll ease into it once you get started.
I think I’ll just wait until Sanctus is back in my office
We know it can be tempting to think this, but there are two main things to consider here.
- We don’t know how long-lasting the Coronavirus will be, or when Sanctus will be back in the office – it could be several months before you see our friendly faces in person again
- When we are uncertain or anxious, it is a natural reaction to want to pause and wait for things to get back to ‘normal.’ But we’ve found that it is in these moments when it can be most powerful and transformative to feel connected and open up.
As you’ve heard us say plenty of times, we all have mental health all of the time, so there’s no need to pause working on yourself 🙂
I probably don’t need the session anyway, I’m fine!
This is the response that we often hear, whether we’re in-person or virtual. Remember, whatever is going on in your life right now, good or bad, big or small, personal or professional, is important to you.
We can often imagine that others need the space or time more than we do.
But we all deserve a space to talk and to grow, wherever we’re at right now.
How do I connect with the coach for my session?
We’ll always send instructions in the confirmation and reminder emails for your session. If you can’t find it, shoot an email to bookings@sanctus.io and someone on our support team will help you out.
We advise downloading the Zoom software in advance of your session.
Do I need any equipment to make the virtual coaching experience work?
You’ll need a device with a camera and a microphone that connects to the internet. For the best experience, we recommend using a laptop or Mac and using headphones that contain a microphone, but you can also use a mobile if you feel more comfortable that way.
I’ve never tried coaching before – is it ok for me to start with virtual?
Totally! Virtual can actually be a really great way to start your practice of working on your mental health, especially if you’re feeling nervous or apprehensive.
There’s no right or wrong way to have a Sanctus session so if you’d rather turn your camera off until you get a feel for things, that’s ok too. Sometimes even having the person on the other side of the screen can make you feel a little less exposed. Treat yourself with kindness and don’t worry about jumping into face to face coaching right away if you feel like you’d rather try it this way first.
What are the benefits to doing virtual coaching?
All the same benefits as in-person coaching plus a few added extras 🙂
- Chance for you to have the session in the place that you feel most safe and comfortable
- Not as much pressure to be so “in the moment” with your Coach
- Great for first timers, or those a little curious or nervous about Coaching
What do I do if the connection is poor?
Most broadband internet connections over 10 Mbps are sufficient to connect over video. You can test your internet connection speed here. Also, we know it’s cliche but hanging up and trying again can really make a difference if things cut off.
We’d advise against using public wifi networks like in coffee shops as the connection is not as reliable. If you have a strong mobile network, connecting over a ‘personal hotspot’ can help. Having multiple browsers tabs and windows open or downloading large files can also impact the reliability of the connection.
Any recommendations to make the virtual session go as well as possible?
Yes! Check out our tips & tricks page here.
If there’s anything you can’t see or have a question, let us know at bookings@sanctus.io.