PAR Winter 2021 Clinical DigitalCatalog Final - Flipbook - Page 11
on-topic
PAR E X PE RTS
W E IG H IN
Q:
Tips for return to in-person therapy
By Kevin Lauer, PhD
M
any clients and mental health providers want to return to face-to-face
therapy sessions in the provider’s
office. As a provider, you not only have to
consider practical issues when returning
to in-person sessions, but there are also
clinical and ethical dilemmas to consider. It
is important to be aware of the risks to your
client’s physical health as well as the impact
on their mental health.
As a provider, you will need to implement
practices to ensure your safety as well as that
of your clients’. A good place to start is to
know the health and safety guidelines in your
state before considering in-person therapy
sessions. What are the current recommendations about leaving home? Are movements
more restricted due to the current level
of COVID-19 cases? Stay up to date on the
status in your state and respond accordingly.
Always be aware of restrictions and recommendations at the state and federal level.
Practically, you must consider how you can
reduce the physical risks to your client. Are they
part of a population at higher risk for COVID-19
that may necessitate continued remote/telehealth options? Does your office comply with
CDC recommendations for maintaining a safe
environment (i.e., following social distancing
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guidelines, using hand sanitizer, and/or
washing hands)? Is your client comfortable
wearing a mask during the session?
While these more practical considerations
are important, it is equally important to
be aware of the emotional impact on
your client. What is their level of anxiety in
leaving their home to come to your office?
It can be difficult to discern what is genuine
worry related to COVID-19 versus symptoms
that may lend themselves to diagnosable
conditions such as agoraphobia. Are there
socially anxious or introverted clients who
misuse the restrictions of the pandemic to
rationalize their behaviors, thus impeding
their own progress in treatment?
It may also be helpful to have conversations with your colleagues as they
also consider these practical and ethical
dilemmas. What are they contemplating
when considering a return to in-person
therapy sessions? In addition, many
professional organizations have compiled
helpful information for providers considering a return to face-to-face sessions, so you
may want to spend some time researching
and gathering this valuable information.
Last, have open and transparent
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conversations with your clients. Voice
your thoughts and concerns. Encourage
your clients to be open and honest with
you about their concerns and needs. Talk
about the risks, benefits, fears, and goals
of holding in-person therapy sessions.
Unfortunately, there are many gray areas
when considering whether to return to
the office for face-to-face client sessions.
Gather as much information as possible,
have conversations with colleagues, and
begin some frank and honest conversations
with your clients. We all want to provide
the best services possible to clients in our
care. Becoming well informed and having
open communication is key to making
good decisions for you and your clients.
What are some ways
clinicians can manage
their own emotional
wellbeing when they
are so focused on
helping others?
Melissa: Remember to be
kind to yourself. It is difficult
to feel like you get enough
done or truly disconnect
when you work remotely and never really
leave “the office,” so it can be important to
model self-care for patients and clients.
Instead of taking on the weight of the world,
spend a few minutes sharing feelings and
emotions with colleagues or even coming up
with your own relaxation/disconnection
activity once a day to decompress and allow
your mind to take a break.
Kevin: We all know how
important it is to manage our
own stress to be more effective in
helping our clients manage their
Kevin Lauer, PhD
stress. Find an activity that gets you moving and
Clinical Assessment
outdoors. During your workday, go outside
Advisor—National Accounts
between sessions, if only to get a moment of
sunshine and fresh air. I enjoy golfing, and my
klauer@parinc.com
wife, who does not golf, enjoys going with me to
enjoy the beautiful scenery, lush green fairways,
Kevin is a licensed clinical psychologist with
fresh air, and sunshine. Even when you can’t
extensive experience working with health plan
take hours to be on a golf course, spend 30
systems. Clinically, he has provided direct
minutes walking in your neighborhood or a local
patient care and conducted assessments with
park. Make it a habit, and you will feel more
individuals of all ages.
refreshed to help your clients.
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