Common Questions and Answers about Telehealth

 Since the start of 2020, our world has been surrounded by terrifying and frightening information surrounding COVID-19, which has put anxiety, fear, depression, and other mental health issues at an all-time high. With our communities on lockdown, mental health therapists have been unable to assists clients with these issues in person. However, with advanced technology, we can provide these services via Telehealth. Telehealth is the facilitation of mental health services using technological modalities rather than traditional face to face methods. Many individuals are hesitant to utilize this alternative way of providing mental health services due to unanswered questions; this blog explores the commonly asked questions about Telehealth. 

Is Telehealth effective?

           Yes. Within numerous research studies, the effectiveness of Telehealth vs. in-person sessions was explored. These studies found that Telehealth has been seen to have the same effect as in-person sessions. 

Why should I take advantage of Telehealth?

           There are numerous answers to this question. First, as many therapists are not able to provide in-person sessions during this pandemic, Telehealth allows individuals to continue to make progress on their treatment goals, rather than loss the progress they were currently making in traditional in-person sessions. Secondly, Telehealth will enable individuals to manage stress, anxiety, and depression that may be a result of COVID-19, rather than having to process this information on their own. Outside of the current pandemic, Telehealth can also be a helpful tool if you are unable to travel to the therapists office, if you have a health condition that limits mobility, if you live in a remote area or if there are other concerns such as weather that prevent you from making it into the office. 

Is it safe to use Telehealth?

A common concern expressed with Telehealth is privacy concerns. With platforms such as Doxy.me, privacy concerns are not an issue as this is platform that is HIPPA compliant, meaning security measures have been taken to ensure your private health information remains confidential. 

Will it be a difficult transition from in-person to Telehealth?

           Transitioning from an in-person session to Telehealth will not be a difficult transition as you and your therapist will continue to work on your treatment goals. To ensure this transition is smooth, technology must be prepared before the session takes place. For example, ensuring that the camera and microphone on your computer is functioning properly. Additionally, it is important to ensure limited distractions that may occur during the session, such as family members or even notifications on your computer that may interrupt or distract the session. 

Will insurance cover telehealth?

           Yes, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. During this pandemic companies such as Aetna and Blue Cross Blue Shield have been covering client’s copays/coinsurance for telehealth sessions, meaning you won’t have to pay anything unless you still have to meet your deductible. Of course, this is subject to each insurance plan, so be sure to check with your insurance company or ask your therapist.

During this difficult time, please reach out to a mental health professional if you are facing anxiety, depression, or any stress. We are happy to provide telehealth sessions and phone sessions. 

Written by: Mary Collins, LPC, CADC

Talking to your Children about the COVID

Everywhere you turn, there is a discussion of the COVID-19 virus and how it is affecting our community. As these conversations are taking place in a public manner, our children are exposed to an extensive amount of frightening information. Such details that are being communicated include the rising number of individuals who have contracted COVID-19, the closure of schools, the lockdown of large cities, and the number of individuals who have passed away due to COVID-19. As a parent, we must help our children feel in control in these uncertain times, help them manage their fears and confusion while facing our own doubts. Below are five ways we can discuss this COVID-19 virus with our children.

1. Remain calm and reassuring 

First, we must remain calm and reassuring for our children. We must be mindful of what we are saying to them and how we say it as our children can pick up on our tones, mannerism, and body language. If they see that we are panicking, they will believe they should be doing the same.

2. Provide information that is accurate and honest 

Next, we must ensure that our children are receiving information that is age-appropriate and truthful. As the internet and social media often provide information that is not always accurate, we must become smart consumers of the information we are given. If your child asks you a question that you do not know the answer too, be honest and say that you do not know.

3. Give your children space to discuss their fears 

If your children find the information you provided is scary or fearful, it is crucial that they feel they can openly share their fears and worry. Exploring these thoughts and concerns is important as your child might be worried about questions such as “what if I get sick” or “what if mom or dad gets sick?

4. Teaching children everyday actions to reduce the spread of germs 

We must remind our children about simple steps that can be taken to reduce the spread of germs. Such reminders include staying away from people who are sick or coughing or sneezing into tissue can go a long way. We can remind our children how to wash our hands properly and how we can make the process fun, such as singing their favorite song. Lastly, we can demonstrate this process through activities like this one: https://youtu.be/3TJJNsUmDQ0.

5. Make yourself available to listen and talk 

Ensure that your child knows they can come to you and talk about any questions or concerns they might have. This can be done by setting aside time for you and your children to speak as well as spend time together and complete fun activities. 

During this challenging time, having an open and honest conversation with your child can make a difference. If you or your child need assistance during this time, please reach out to a mental health professional as we are currently providing online telehealth sessions, phone sessions, and in-person sessions.

By: Mary Collins, LPC, CADC

Flatten The Curve

INFO ABOUT APPOINTMENTS AND WHAT WE ARE DOING TO HELP FLATTEN THE CURVE.

Due to the current situation with Coronavirus, providers at Life Balance Counseling will be offering therapy sessions via phone and HIPPA Compliant online telehealth beginning on Monday, March 16th, 2020 through Saturday, April 4th, 2020. Most insurance is covering tele-mental health sessions and we will let you know individually via email if your insurance is not covering the appointments and offer you options so you don’t have to stop therapy abruptly.

The gravity of the situation seems to change by the minute. Today is Tuesday and by Wednesday, there may be new developments. It is difficult to prepare for the unknown and we feel honored and grateful that you trust your mental health and emotional wellness with us!

We use a secure and confidential video platform through Doxy.me and you will receive a link to the virtual waiting room via email from your counselor.

Please note, if you do not feel comfortable participating in an online session, we definitely understand if you decide to cancel until we are able to resume in-office sessions. We do encourage you to try the online appointments out if you have the ability and we are happy to walk you through the process. It doesn’t hurt to give it a try and then make the decision whether you want to do online appointments or wait for in-person sessions to resume.

If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to call our main line at 888-234-7628, or email info@lbcounseling.com

We hope that you are safe and well during this challenging time!

Take care,

Life Balance Counseling

The Importance of Addressing Unprocessed Trauma

“But that happened when I was a child, I should be over it by now.” 

“I don’t understand why I keep getting into relationships with the same type of person."

“I have chronic back pain, but doctors can’t find a cause.”

Quite often, people think that because time has gone by, and they’ve put a difficult experience behind them, that it no longer has a hold. However, thoughts or comments like these can often be the initial signs of personal trauma that has gone unprocessed. Trauma is an emotional response to an intense event that threatens or causes either physical or emotional harm. It can be a single event or multiple events over time. Some examples of traumatic events or situations are: emotional, physical, and/or sexual abuse; neglect; being separated from loved ones; bullying; effects of poverty; witnessing harm to a loved one or pet; natural disasters; and accidents. Humans need some level of stress in their lives to help their brains develop and to build new skills. However, when a stressful experience overwhelms the natural ability to cope, we experience trauma. And even when we are not personally at fault, we are responsible for our own healing. The challenge of healing is especially difficult if someone experiences trauma during childhood. Luckily, children are resilient, and they take cues from their parents or caregivers. If the adults surrounding the child remain calm and responsive to the child’s needs, the psychological scars will be minimal. Other factors that determine the impact of traumatic events include frequency, relationships, coping skills, perception of the level of danger, and sensitivity.

Before addressing how healing can take place, it’s helpful to understand the changes that occur in the brain following trauma. The most important job of the brain is to ensure survival. Traumatic events which threaten that survival cause major shifts in the nervous system. If the trauma is not resolved, stress hormones that are used for protection will continue to circulate (these are known as “fight”, “flight”, and “freeze”). Some traumatized individuals find that they are too hypervigilant to enjoy everyday pleasures or are too numb to absorb new experiences. Many times there may be sensory triggers (sounds, smells, feelings, places, tones of voice, postures), that a person may not even be aware of, that remind his or her brain of the original event. When this happens, it reactivates and mobilizes disturbed brain circuits, and massive amounts of stress hormones are secreted. Research shows that trauma produces actual physiological changes as well as compromising areas of the brain. These effects can lead to hypervigilance and repeating the same problems while having trouble learning from experiences. 

Often, more severe or disruptive trauma symptoms can present as a mental health issue such as anxiety, depression, ADHD, or ODD.  Even if you learn to ignore the issue and block out physical distress signals, it may show up as somatic symptoms such as migraines, chronic back/neck pain, IBS, chronic fatigue, and some forms of asthma. Many traumatized children and adults can’t describe what they are feeling because they can’t identify the meaning of their physical symptoms; emotions may be registered as physical problems. Additionally, if the emotional pain is left unprocessed, it can make it difficult to establish adult relationships that are stable and trusting. People who have been traumatized often become stuck; personal growth is halted because they can’t integrate new experiences into their lives. This is the body’s way of saying that something needs to change. Discomfort almost always signals a place in life where we have an opportunity to rise up and make significant changes. 

The good news is that an improved understanding about how the brain handles trauma has lead to advances in treatment approaches. Using the brain’s natural neuroplasticity (capacity to develop new connections), it’s possible to halt or reverse damage caused by trauma. The three approaches that have been found to be most effective include talking and connecting with others to process trauma, taking medications that shut down the inappropriate alarm reactions, and allowing the body to have experiences that contradict the original feelings of helplessness, rage, or collapse. Mindfulness is also an essential part of trauma recovery because it strengthens the part of the brain that enables a person to observe what’s going on, predict outcomes, and make choices. Healing starts with becoming aware of sensations and the way the body interacts with the environment. It’s important to first notice and describe the feelings in the body (i.e.- heat, muscle tension, tingling, etc.) not to identify the emotion (anxiety, anger, etc.) and then to notice the sensations associated with relaxation. Becoming aware of the breath and body movements is another component of recovery.  It’s important to note that “healing” is not returning to who a person was before experiencing the trauma, but rather, becoming someone he or she has never been before—stronger, wiser, and kinder.

Written By: Jennifer Herbert, MS, LPC