Therapy in the Time of COVID

We are living through times unlike any we have previously experienced. A worldwide pandemic has added a sense of threat and powerlessness to our daily lives. We have been required to change the way we do most things: how we work, how we go to school, where we go, how we shop, and how we spend time with family and friends. While human beings are incredibly adaptable, COVID has stretched all of thin.

At The Counseling Center we are accustomed to working with our clients on problems related to anxiety, depression, trauma and relationships. We are now seeing new levels of stress which compound these issues.

We want you to know that we are still available to help in these times. We are fully committed to maintaining our level of excellence in providing psychotherapy and promoting safety, wellness, and wholeness. It has now been several months that we have been offering telehealth and virtual therapy. We have discovered that we are able to effectively work with clients in these formats. While we miss the personal contact of being in the office together, we have been able to establish new therapeutic relationships and maintain the working relationships already established.

If we can help you during this time, we welcome your inquiries. As you know, at The Counseling Center we are always interested in holistic solutions in times of trouble, so we offer the following suggestions as you continue to cope with an extraordinary time.

Our minds and bodies benefit from structure and predictability. As much as possible, try find some daily routines that provide that.

Attending to the body is a great resource for self-care. Try to include some exercise every day, anything from gentle stretching to vigorous exercise, dancing, or gardening will provide resiliency in the body.

Creativity is a great resource for hope, joy, and pleasure. Find ways to include your creative outlets into daily life. This might be the time to take up a new activity such as art or music, or to simply rearrange the furniture or make a collage.

When under threat the brain kicks into survival instincts and works overtime, so practices to help quiet the mind are essential right now. Even those of you who don't think you can meditate can find some simple practices to allow you to experience the quiet below the mind. By accessing some simple breathing techniques, using guided meditation recordings, spending time in nature, and learning to be attentive to sensing and feeling you may spend more time in calm awareness and less time thinking.

We would be glad to assist you in developing a self-care plan designed for you to help you thrive even during this time. Best wishes and be well.

The Staff at TCC