The Lessons We've Learned So Far

Winter 2020 certainly did not go as planned . . . for anyone. In a very short time, everyone in the world turned their attention to the first Pandemic in over 100 years. From the beginning, the news media anticipated the significant toll this experience would have on mental health. As mental health providers, we have had to become more technical, more strategic, and more creative in the delivery of mental health care. We are experiencing a crash course in fear caused by this Pandemic, altering the health, economic stability, and psychological well-being of individuals and families. As mental health clinicians/providers, we must understand the impact thus far as it affects ourselves, our clients, AND the world. We are still learning. Thus far some important lessons include:

Telehealth is Here to Stay

Zoom, Doxy.me, VSee, and other systems have proven a viable way of working with clients. Not only is it feasible for talk therapy but also effective for somatic experiencing, EMDR, Brainspotting, and group therapy. There are challenges but we in the psychotherapy community are working through them. Good work is being accomplished as we are invited into homes and living spaces and introduced to pets, family, and the personal isolation precipitated the Pandemic. Healthcare will be forever modified to accept telehealth to reach those in need.

Pandemic Fear

The psychological and emotional reactions to the pandemic are mixed and varied from client to client, family to family, crises to crises. For some, the Pandemic has brought about intense fear, anxiety, and panic, loneliness, depression, and grief. It may exacerbate an already difficult psychological issue and make matters worse. For others, it has meant losing your job or ability to make a living. For still others who are considered "essential,” it may mean great health risk(s), sacrifice, and even heroism.

Family Life

For some people this experience has given rise to a more difficult time with spouses and family members, leading to estrangement from relatives and support systems. Additionally, not everyone is safer at home, as the United Nations reports a simultaneous surge in domestic violence globally.

Home Alone

In 2019, 36.58 million people were living in single-person households. For those who are not quarantining with family and friends, this can be an even more isolating experience. Zoom, Houseparty, and other technologies have stepped up as a virtual respite. Additionally, there are social distance walks or friends meeting in the driveway or yards to have a connection with another human beings offline. However, loneliness can be bitter and cruel . . . leading to extreme depression, anxiety, and even panic. 

Who Needs Help?

There is an important role for therapists in supporting and caring for all the "essential workers" in healthcare, food, transportation, and city/state/federal positions. Relief, respite, and hope needs to be in ample supply for all these workers. To meet some of these needs, organizations have emerged to offer crisis support and short term affordable therapeutic services. 

Preventing Compassion Fatigue (Self-Care)

For those of us who readily supply emotional and psychological support, it is necessary to provide and maintain self-care. Therapists are talking amongst themselves about the adjustment to telehealth and the intensity of working in this way. Shifting schedules and investing in blue light protection are some of the self-care measures of the day. As we go through a very historic period, as therapists we have a chance to provide an invaluable service and make a difference, something akin to what we signed up for. To do this, however, we must make sure we are taking care of ourselves by honoring and addressing our own issues as we work towards alleviating the suffering of our clients.

While this has been an unimaginably challenging time, our common humanity and resilience have emerged. Friends, relatives, and colleagues have become closer through more frequent, benevolent, and kindly contact. Shelters and rescues across the country are running out of available cats and dogs who are more than happy to lend emotional support to homebound humans. There are countless free support groups online and social media. One such group offers meal support on Instagram to people struggling with eating disorders. Neighbors are organizing on apps like Nextdoor to shop for those at higher risk. Skies are clearing, traffic is calming, and many businesses are discovering that telecommuting can be very effective.

As we move through this time it is important that those who need our help can access it, are willing to reach for it, and can afford it. We must not only normalize the depression, anxiety, and trauma the public is facing but the need to seek help to process and work through it. Our role as mental health providers is essential as we continue to learn invaluable lessons from this Pandemic. We are the stewards of connection and resilience for our clients and ourselves, and we will emerge from these trying times stronger for it.

Scott Harris, PhD, licensed clinical psychologist, is currently involved in private practice and consulting in Brentwood. Prior to independent practice, he was Co-Director of the Center for Behavioral Healthcare and was previously on staff at several child and family facilities. Dr. Harris is the author of three books, "When Growing Up Hurts Too Much,” "Divorcing With Kids," and "Hope Is Good.” He lives in Encino with his wife and three children. To learn more visit www.scottharrisphd.com.

Cori Rosenthal, LMFT is a mindfulness-based marriage and family therapist in private practice in Brentwood. She specializes in codependence, eating disorders, disordered eating, and trauma in her work with adolescents and adults. A trained mindfulness and self-compassion teacher, Cori offers classes, workshops, and one-on-one sessions in mindfulness and mindful self-compassion. She’s certified in Brainspotting, trained in the Trauma Resiliency Model (TRM), and currently running a Women’s Food and Mood online support group. To learn more: http://www.corirosenthal.com.