It Does COVID-19 Have You Feeling On Edge, Overwhelmed Or Alone? Pandemic Counseling Can Help.
Have you and/or your family been impacted by COVID-19, feeling increasingly stressed and not seeing an end in sight to what feels like a rollercoaster of change, flux and heightened emotions? Are you working from home, perhaps also caring for kids that would normally be in school, camp or childcare? Maybe your routine is highly compromised. Classes and events that usually bring you contentment and connection have been canceled, creating increased feelings of isolation. Or, perhaps you fear to leave your home. You may be highly concerned about your safety and health, or the health and wellbeing of others in your home and family, especially if someone has a preexisting health condition or is at heightened risk. Have you wondered if pandemic counseling can help?
Has unresolved trauma been triggered?
Has unresolved trauma been triggered by the added stress, uncertainty and isolation, causing you to feel progressively more anxious and depressed? It might be that these abrupt and unprecedented changes have created havoc on your nervous system, and now you feel easily triggered and/or fatigued when you want to feel alert and wide awake when it’s time to rest. With so much coming up all of a sudden, you might also be struggling with relationship issues, managing stress and trying to get personal, professional and family needs met.
Furthermore, like so many others, you may be highly concerned about the future, wondering what you can do to stay regulated, present and calm within all of this uncertainty.
Do you feel isolated and alone?
Even if you feel isolated and alone right now, support is available, and we need connection and compassion for ourselves and each other more than ever. For better or worse, we’re all in this storm together. The pandemic might feel like being a mild rainstorm or feel like a hurricane.
We are hardwired for social connection.
As humans, we are hardwired for social connection. Our very socialized brains need that kind of contact. The stay-at-home and safer-at-home orders put in place by leadership are meant to protect us from contracting and spreading COVID-19, however, social distancing and the mandatory wearing of masks is triggering increased feelings of anxiety and depression, especially for people who have already struggled with one or both of these mental health issues. Without a routine and container for coping, concern about economic fallout, the increase in stress and feelings of estrangement from our families, friends and community, millions of people are struggling to adapt to this new normal—especially when this new normal seems to be changing all of the time. Whether it’s stress-eating, old addictions coming back up or previous potentially destructive patterns arising, we’re all looking for ways to deal with the pandemic. In an attempt to cope, many are falling back down an old rabbit hole, thinking and behaving in ways that do not support or serve their best selves.
These are tough times for sure. Whether you feel like this is a passing storm, a full-blown hurricane or something in between, we all could use additional support and skills during these trying times. And this is especially true if old traumas are resurfacing and/or you’re struggling with depression or anxiety.
Coping: Pandemic Counseling Can Help
In the safe space of my Louisville, CO office (depending on public health guidelines and a decision mutually and thoughtfully made), by phone or online through your home computer, we can meet to talk about and work through what is happening—both internally and externally—in your life right now. In response to the pandemic, I have broadened my practice to include online counseling that can be done from the safety and comfort of your home.
Using techniques, such as Mindfulness, Brainspotting, Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) and Somatic Experiencing, I can help you develop the insights, perspectives and tools that can help you take care of yourself mentally, emotionally, physically and spiritually during these unprecedented times. Although change is inevitable, this kind of uncertainty can elicit a lot of fear and create heightened stress. Together, we can talk through how the pandemic is impacting you and your loved ones. Through this process, I can help you come to terms with your thoughts and feelings about the virus and devise strategies that support you in navigating these unprecedented and uncertain times.
This form of therapy is especially effective for people feeling particularly challenged by the pandemic, and for those who are experiencing an increase in anxiety, depression and trauma symptoms. With tools to help regulate your nervous system through somatic therapy, stress management skills and simply having a trusted guide to talk with, you can work toward feeling less overwhelmed. I can also help you develop and manage routines, work through any relationship and family issues that are coming up and make some sort of sense out of the pandemic and the changes that have been thrust upon you.
Are you struggling to cope with increased stress and feelings of isolation, uncertainty and overwhelm?
Pandemic therapy is geared mainly toward adults who are struggling to cope with increased stress and feelings of isolation, uncertainty and overwhelm. I have decades of experience working with teenagers and young adults. Please see my website for information geared toward teens and young adults, and reach out if you’re concerned about your child. My primary specialties include anxiety treatment, depression treatment, trauma therapy and chronic illness counseling. I am trained and experienced to help you and your family with relationship issues, managing stress and working through fear-based thoughts and feelings.
Through pandemic counseling, it is possible to feel more connected, understood and sustained. We could all use extra support right now, and I am here to help. Through this type of valuable connection, you can figure out ways to get your needs met (which is imperative especially if you’re also charged with caring for others now), mindfully bring yourself into the present moment, engage in self-care practices and mitigate feelings of stress, anxiety and depression.
You may still have questions and concerns about pandemic counseling…
I’ve heard a lot about online counseling recently. Is it as effective as meeting in person?
Even before the pandemic hit, online counseling was gaining a lot of traction. It’s an attractive option for people with busy personal and professional schedules as it cuts out commuting time and can be done from the comfort of your home or office. Many studies have been conducted on the effectiveness of online counseling, with most finding that it is as effective as in-person therapy, especially when it comes to the treatment of anxiety and depression.
With all the talk about economic fallout, I’m concerned about future finances. I could use some help navigating these new internal and external landscapes, but can’t help but worry about the cost.
I understand your concern. It’s unlikely that our economy will ever return to the way it was before COVID-19 hit. I also understand that it can feel hard to invest in ourselves, especially in times of financial uncertainty. Many forms of self-care, including therapy, are often the first thing to go when we feel worried about the future. That said, I cannot stress how important it is to take care of yourself right now. Stress lowers our immunity and can cause and aggravate a multitude of health issues. Investing in therapy now can lower stress levels and give you tools, skills and strategies that you can put into place to help you navigate the uncertainty and challenges with greater ease.
Would it be possible to do both online and in-office sessions?
Absolutely. Together, and based on direction from the governor and health agencies, we can schedule sessions and develop a therapy schedule based on needs, goals and safety requirements.
Handle Stress And Uncertainty With More Ease
If you’re in Louisville, CO or the surrounding area for in-office sessions or anywhere in the state of Colorado for online counseling sessions, I invite you to call me at 720-427-8222 for a free phone consultation. I’m happy to discuss your specific needs and answer any questions you have about pandemic counseling, online counseling and other aspects of my practice.