Taking Care Of Your Emotional Health During COVID-19

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Everyone needs emotional support, whether it is a friend or parent to talk to, or a partner to confide in. 2020 has been an especially challenging year and has taken a tremendous toll on people’s emotional health. The good news is that people are realizing they must make their emotional health a priority. Thanks to technology, it is possible to start on this journey of healing fairly quickly – even during the pandemic – by connecting with mental health providers who offer remote counseling sessions, also known as teletherapy.

What exactly is teletherapy?

Teletherapy is counseling provided by a licensed and certified therapist using a secure video or audio connection. Patients and therapists interact the same way they would during a face-to-face session, but sessions takes place remotely. Before getting started, you should talk to your clinician to determine the best teletherapy-based method for you, which may include sessions by telephone, smartphone, computer or tablet. Almost any mental health issue, such as anxiety, depression, grief, loss, relationship or addiction counseling, can be treated using Teletherapy.

What are the benefits of teletherapy?

Studies show that teletherapy can be as effective as in-person therapy, and makes therapy easier to access for many people. Telephone and online therapy sessions must comply with state laws and with HIPAA regulations. Some of the benefits include:

Public health: During the ongoing pandemic, teletherapy allows sessions to continue uninterrupted – allowing people to seek or continue mental health care at home without fear of exposure to coronavirus.

Greater access: Even before the pandemic, teletherapy was making therapy available on a wider scale, since many people have difficulty accessing traditional in-person therapy because of physical disabilities, health issues, scheduling issues or transportation.

Privacy issues: Many people prefer seeking counseling in their own homes, without having to contend with busy waiting rooms or scheduling appointments during work hours.

Insurance: Be sure to check with your insurance provider, but most major insurers, including MassHealth, provide telehealth benefits.

Kim Tamaren, LMHC, Clinic Director of Strattus Mental Health Service in Dedham, says that

while therapists and clinics will resume in-person therapy sessions when it is safe to do so, many will continue to offer teletherapy as an option thanks to its effectiveness and ease of accessibility. “At Strattus, we are accepting new patients and are able to start counseling sessions quickly, thanks in large part to the added flexibility that is available with remote sessions,” Tamaren says.

Strattus, a fully licensed clinic with a clinical team experienced in working with children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families, is currently accepting new patients. Clinicians experienced in working with people with developmental and physical needs and people on the autism spectrum are also available.

For additional mental health resources, Tamaren recommends that people talk to their primary care physician or visit the William James College Interface Referral Service, which provides valuable information and referrals. For more information about Strattus, people can visit StrattusMentalHealth.org or call our clinic at 781-329-9365.

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