2:22 A Ghost Story - Support Page

Please scroll down for information on the complimentary support available.

Welcome to your company’s support page. If you are viewing this page, you are a member of the company, creative or production team for the “2:22 Tour” and its August 2025 through June 2026 run throughout the UK.

Below you will find information on how to book in a 25 minute check in, details about the themes and content of the show, resources and support links, information about Victoria your PWP as well as mental health tips that might feel helpful over the course of the run.

FAQs

  • Check-ins are not a therapeutic or HR space, but instead offer a chance for you to speak to someone 1:1 outside of your organisation about mental health. They are led by Victoria who is a qualified psychotherapist who will hold the space in a Mental Health First Aider capacity. Check-ins will be 25 minutes long (in some cases they can be longer) and are facilitated in person or on zoom

  • They are designed to be a non- judgemental space for people who might be looking for a space to reflect on their current experienced both within the production and outside of it or for further sign-posting support in regards to mental health and well-being. They are a space that can offer an impartial and empathic ear. These sessions are confidential but the limits of this confidentiality will be explained to you by Victoria. Check-ins are not designed to fix or solve but instead support and guide you and allow a safe space for conversation

  • You might want to spend some time to reflect on what you might like to talk about

    Don't be afraid to ask questions Reflect on your expectations of the session.

    Don't worry about knowing exactly what to say, it will be an open conversation and you will be supported throughout. Go easy and be kind to yourself before, during and after - they are a space for you!

  • Victoria will be able to sign-post you to further support options whether that be through resources or longer-term 1:1 support

    These avenues of support can include help finding therapy, coaching, specialist support groups, charities, getting help from your GP, physical or holistic therapies, amongst others that might be appropriate to your needs

Book a time to speak to Victoria

Below you will find all the available appointments in the next week to speak to Victoria for a wellbeing check in. Where Victoria has limited availability she will make reasonable adjustments to accommodate you within her working hours or help you find alternative support.

Victoria is not working full time with this production and is contracted for a particular number of hours per week to offer complimentary support to company members. If there is demand above her contracted hours or if she feels someone is in need of more permanent ongoing support this can be discussed but might be outside of the complimentary support package. These conversations will be informal and transparent and as supportive and accommodating as reasonably possible.

These sessions can be held in Victoria’s private therapy room in Waterloo (details of how to find her will be given upon booking), online via zoom or in the theatre/rehearsal space depending on your preference and Victoria’s availability.

All conversations with Victoria will be conducted within the client therapist ethical and confidentiality policy according to the BACP. If you have any questions about this policy you can read more about it on Victoria’s FAQ page. Nothing from your conversations will be passed on unless you specifically request it to be or she believes you may be a risk to yourself or others.

Please see the options below for current availability. If you don’t see a time that works for you, please email victoria@victoriaabbotttherapy and she will do her best to accommodate you.

Victoria Abbott - Production Wellbeing Practitioner and Integrative Psychotherapist

Victoria (she/her) has un undergraduate degree in Psychology, a masters in the Psychodynamics of Human Development and a PGDip in Integrative Psychotherapy as well as experience and training as a performer. She has her own thriving private practice where she specialises in burnout, life transition, trauma, bereavement and anxiety and is the Support Lead at Applause For Thought.

Victoria believes in helping all those working in the creative industries develop practices that exist in harmony alongside the demands and requirements of the the job. Empowering individuals to support themselves and organisations to provide a duty of care.

​Victoria is a registered member of the BACP (British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists), regularly takes her Production Wellbeing Practice to clinical/process supervision, and also engages in Continual Professional Development through on-going certified training and learning practices. Victoria was nominated for an Industry Mind award in 2022 for her contribution to mental health in the arts.

The role of the Production Wellbeing Practitioner on productions is to support and advise the Heads of Department (HoD) and Producers on how best to meet their duty of care to the crew and cast as a neutral third party. They are there to actively support the cast and crew with their own mental health, resilience and wellbeing as they work.

Where we differ from a lot of Wellbeing Facilitators in the industry, is that Victoria is also a registered psychotherapist so can offer one to one support within her private practice or group sessions to help creatives, crew and members of production process any emotional or mental health difficulties they may encounter when working in the development stages, in the rehearsal room or within the production.

  • Resources & Support

    See below for details on services and organisations that offer help and support.

  • Check Ins

    Contact Victoria using the booking page above to arrange a 25 minute wellbeing check in.

  • Mitigating Stress

    Practical tools and information to support wellbeing and the impact of workplace stress.

  • Crisis Care

    Details on procedures for anyone in crisis or emergency with reference to their mental health.

Resources & Support

Please find below details, resources and support for mental health. This isn’t an exhaustive list and should not replace talking to your GP or finding support for yourself if you feel your wellbeing is particularly low at the moment.

This is something you can discuss with Victoria, should you feel comfortable. All links include resources available to or tailored specifically for anyone that is non-binary and/or identifies as LGBTIQ+.

Practical tools to mitigate the impact of stress…

Get to know your stress signature

We can split the symptoms of stress into four areas: physical, cognitive, behavioural and emotional. Physical symptoms can include headaches, muscle tension, tiredness, chest pains and heart palpitations. While cognitive symptoms include low concentration, irritability, fatigue and impaired memory.

Stress affects our emotional state too with symptoms including emotional outbursts, low mood, sensitivity to criticism, low confidence, anxiety and anger. Once we know what to look for in ourselves and others it can be easier to start using strategies earlier and with greater effect. To learn more about the signs of stress click here.

Develop healthy responses to stress

Stress can often trigger unhealthy behaviours, like neglecting sleep, drinking alcohol excessively or bingeing on unhealthy foods.

Turn that on its head, by doing your best to make healthy choices when the pressure increases. Examples of these could include:

  • Exercising

  • Allowing enough time for a healthy amount of high-quality

    sleep

  • Maintaining a nutritious diet – not only is this healthier, but research shows that nutritious foods have stress-relieving benefits

Utilise or create a support system

We all experience tough times at work, so we need to know who we can rely on when this happens.

Identify the support system you can lean on during this time, whether that be friends, family or even colleagues at work.

Many employers contribute to this system, by offering internal services, such as training managers in Mental Health First Aid and providing a PWP.

If you require external support, then you should contact your GP, or an external service, such as the Samaritans.

Reward yourself for a job well done

When work gets busy, it’s tempting to only focus on the next task, rather than rewarding yourself for the task you’ve just completed.

When you complete a task, especially if it’s a significant one, reward yourself for your achievements. This could be successfully completing a technical run through or even bringing focus, energy and productivity to your work day.

It doesn’t have to be anything special! It could be a walk round the block, a chat with co-workers, your favourite coffee, anything that you enjoy. Taking time to recharge and come back to neutral is key to maintaining wellbeing.

Re-evaluate negative thoughts

When you’ve experienced worry and chronic stress for an extended period of time, your mind may tend to jump to conclusions and read into every situation with a negative lens.

For example, if your colleague doesn’t say hi to you first thing in the morning, you might react thinking “they’re mad at me.”

Instead of making automatic judgements, try distancing yourself from your negative thoughts and simply observe. In time you might even be able to reframe negative thoughts into more positive ones.

Learn relaxation techniques that work for you

Purposefully slowing down and being conscious of your surroundings can keep you relaxed throughout the week. Meditation, deep breathing exercises, and mindfulness all work to calm your anxiety.

Start by taking a few minutes each day to focus on being present and enjoying a simple activity — whether that’s a short walk around the park or appreciating a meal and then make it a habit. Here are a few other ways to build mindfulness into your daily routine: Pause for a few moments before starting your workday and set your intention. Download a meditation app you can use when feeling excessive pressure at work or during your commute. Schedule in a 5-minute break to try breathing exercises. Look out for Victoria’s tip of the week as they will include opportunities to practice this…

What if I or someone I know is in crisis?

You or someone you are working with may require immediate help or support. If you/they are feeling suicidal, there are people you can talk to who want to help you find some breathing space:

Call Samaritans 24-hour support service on 08457 90 90 90.

Go to, or call, your nearest accident and emergency (A&E) department and tell the staff how you are feeling.

Contact NHS 111.

Make an urgent appointment to see your GP

Want to know more about Applause for thought….

At AFT we appreciate individuals are indeed that…individual. This is why we aim to create safe, empowering and empathetic spaces for all within the arts, whether that be through; our links to 121 support, at one of our talks or workshops, during our accredited mental health training courses, or when we work with organisations.

View their website here