Abstract
During the past year, counselors adjusted to the pandemic social distancing mandates. They have donned masks in hospitals and clinics. Many have shifted their practice to a virtual format. Face-to-face meetings was the bedrock of therapeutic processes; they were extinguished overnight. What did counselors do to maintain the therapeutic relationship? What strategies worked to create safety and rapport? What were counselors’ personal and professional priorities? What strategies and adjustments might be useful in the next pandemic lockdown? This study explores the stories and themes of several counselors who rose to the challenge of cultivating their practice as technology redefined therapy. The findings show that counselors prioritize somatic engagement to facilitate the therapeutic relational processes and to enhance personal self-care.