It’s been interesting being a therapist during a pandemic. Can you believe we have been living through COVID-19 for a year? It feels like just yesterday when the governor announced the shelter in place order. Thankfully, I think we all can see the light at the end of the tunnel and are looking forward to experiencing some normalcy in the upcoming months!
The pandemic has affected each of us differently. Personally, the hardest part of the pandemic was actually being a therapist during a pandemic. As mental health professionals, we were consistently exposed to the pandemic’s fears and anxieties and also had to face our own. Luckily, my clients and I shared this experience. Although I have never felt more connected and empathic towards my clients, it was challenging being present with my clients when I still had to process my own adjustments.
I have always been a firm believer in identifying what I have learned from life challenges. This pandemic has shown me that we are all capable of adjusting to transitions even though we didn’t really have a choice! It forced me to think outside the box when creating coping strategies. I was captivated with finding new coping mechanisms and resources with the limited access we had.
Transitioning to virtual
Going from seeing clients face to face to telehealth was a QUICK transition. Thinking about it now, I don’t think I had a minute to process that I wouldn’t be seeing my clients in my office. I was more focused on making sure I made my clients feel comfortable through virtual sessions. Some therapists and their clients jumped in easily but it was a difficult transition! I recognize the benefit of actually seeing my clients face to face and the opportunity to observe their body language and non-verbal cues. At the beginning of the pandemic it was tough relying on my client’s facial expressions or voice to assess how they were doing. Luckily, I feel more confident seeing my clients virtually than compared to before.
Setting boundaries as a therapist during a pandemic
I think one of the many benefits of working virtually was my open availability. I no longer had to be concerned with my commute, but I was finding myself saying yes to appointment times when I usually don’t work. I’ve always been an advocate for boundaries but never understood it until the pandemic. It wasn’t until a few months in when I realized I was mentally present with all of my clients but not myself. I found myself reviewing discussed skills or even trying to think of new ones. Therapists need to prioritize self-care and themselves. Being faced with client’s trauma in addition to our own feelings has at times been overwhelming.
Managing our own anxieties
I don’t think I processed my own anxieties for a few weeks when the pandemic began. I was more focused on being present with clients until one of my clients asked how I was doing! At the moment, I had to be honest with myself and the personal struggles I was even facing. Once I made that realization, I started to be honest with my clients and you know what? It made our rapport stronger! I found my clients were relieved to hear that I was also going crazy being at home!
All in all, being a therapist during a pandemic was extremely challenging. But it taught me valuable lessons about my personal and professional capabilities. I have never been more proud to be a mental health professional during this time.
Written by: Coral Pidone, MA, LPC
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