Therapy in the Time of Social Distancing

March 20th, 2020

Social distancing is far from the most fun thing in the world. When all you want is an audience to appreciate your singing or a hug in the middle of the coronavirus outbreak, this prudent suggestion can cause problems.

As you already know, the COVID-19 pandemic drastically affects the way we live our lives. Anxiety and fear are up. Concerns for ourselves and others are hard to push to the side. However, people find creative ways to take care of themselves and others. We see Italians quarantined to their homes having neighborhood sing-alongs on their balconies. Children are going to the grocery store for elderly neighbors. Yoga teachers offer livestream classes. Friends text and do group chats. Even some nightclubs are having virtual parties. Part of the human experience is survival, adaptation, and resilience.

Therapists are also adapting and being creative. The main way we have done this is going to tele-therapy. Typically, licensing boards are fickle on condoning this practice. However for many localities in our nation, they are loosing restrictions.

I have begun seeing clients via Doxy.me, a HIPAA-complaint video chat platform created specifically for healthcare providers. Of course, this is far from the preferred way of making connection and working with people on very sensitive concerns. But seeing each other, even with distance, can be better then no contact. Survival, adaptation, and resilience are part of the a human experience – even when we’re social distancing.

If you’re looking for a therapist during this time of uncertainty, feel free to contact Mike Giordano at 202-460-6384 or Mike.Giordano.MSW@gmail.com.

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