Virtual/Video/Telehealth Sessions

[user27357]

when I started I had reservations, especially since i was starting with a new psych.
Biggest fear that didn't pan out? i was afraid there wouldn't be a connection in 2D but I was wrong.
biggest unexpected benefit? i am instantly at home in a safe space after session. No driving home while reconnecting neural paths and feeling taken apart/put back together and out in the world. I get up and go out in the garden or go play an instrument or work on a project- so much better, I will miss that after this is over.

 

[whiteraven]

i am instantly at home in a safe space after session.

The not having to drive part is the only thing about it I like. Well...except that we really only discuss surface stuff. That's probably not supposed to be good, but I'd be happy if that continued.

 

[Skywatcher]

I start back in person next week. I’m not sure how I’ll feel. She did say that we can always switch to online as needed, even deciding the day of, if necessary.

 

[Invisible Fire]

Well...except that we really only discuss surface stuff. That's probably not supposed to be good, but I'd be happy if that continued.

I can relate to this. I will be going back to in person sessions in a couple weeks. It makes me anxious because I know we will go back to more trauma based sessions.

 

[Ireusa]

I was offered to go back to in person with extra safety measures and possibly wearing masks and staying 6 feet apart.

Even though my therapist initially said we woukd do teletherapy for a while more, it seems my dissociation is getting worse and it's much harder to ground in my van by "myself" having her on my phone screen. So she suggested to try maybe every other week, and after much thinking (I feel I might be putting my family in danger, but I guess PTSD is accentuating everything) and checking with my husband, I said yes.

For those going back to in person, could you let us know how it actually looks? What extra safety measure are being implemented and if those make everything harder? Thank you!

 

[whiteraven]

I will be going back to in person sessions in a couple weeks. It makes me anxious because I know we will go back to more trauma based sessions.

Yeah, I am reconsidering going back, whenever...

 

[Skywatcher]

@Ireusa my T says that she is still ironing it all out, but I know that we will be waiting in our car. She will come out to get us. She will also be checking us in on her computer instead of the front desk in the lobby. Neither of us will be wearing masks. I’m sure we could if we wanted to, but she knows that in my case, wearing a mask is not a great plan. I’m actually hoping to work on it in therapy with her.

 

[Ireusa]

@Ireusa my T says that she is still ironing it all out, but I know that we will be waiting in our car. She will come out to get us. She will also be checking us in on her computer instead of the front desk in the lobby. Neither of us will be wearing masks. I’m sure we could if we wanted to, but she knows that in my case, wearing a mask is not a great plan. I’m actually hoping to work on it in therapy with her.

I wish we didn't have to be wearing masks. Is it safe not wearing them? Argh I wish some things could be in my control.

I sometimes wonder if wearing masks wont somewhat defeat the purpose of going back in person, which is to work on dissociation more and to make it easier to ground. If she can't see part of my face...sometimes I just mouth things.

Ugh. We'll see. Thank you for letting me know and all the luck!! I'm going in person in 10 days ❤.

 

[whiteraven]

Thank you for letting me know and all the luck!! I'm going in person in 10 days

Let us know how it goes.

 

[Skywatcher]

I wish we didn't have to be wearing masks. Is it safe not wearing them? Argh I wish some things could be in my control.

I sometimes wonder if wearing masks wont somewhat defeat the purpose of going back in person, which is to work on dissociation more and to make it easier to ground. If she can't see part of my face...sometimes I just mouth things.

Ugh. We'll see. Thank you for letting me know and all the luck!! I'm going in person in 10 days ❤.

I think that the masks is dependent upon what is going on in your area, the size of the room and how well people follow illness rules. It is a risk for both of us, so we would both have to be willing to accept the consequences in order to meet this way. After this coming week I’ll decide if I want to continue this way or not. I haven’t gone much of anywhere and I’m getting a bit concerned of how afraid of the world I’m getting.

 

[Ireusa]

I think that the masks is dependent upon what is going on in your area, the size of the room and how well people follow illness rules. It is a risk for both of us, so we would both have to be willing to accept the consequences in order to meet this way. After this coming week I’ll decide if I want to continue this way or not. I haven’t gone much of anywhere and I’m getting a bit concerned of how afraid of the world I’m getting.

I know. I was starting to think I was getting paranoid or it was part of my PTSD to be so hypervigilant and afraid but everyone around me, although acknowledging what's happening played the risks down... And I started to believe it and then a friend of mine lost her sister to COVID.

how are you feeling? Did you go back to in person then? Argh now I'm not sure I made a good decision.

Sending you all love ?. This is so hard.

 

[whiteraven]

Talked to him this am and he said he and his wife (who is also a psychologist) have not made a decision yet, but that they kind of like working from home. Ugh. I mean, it would definitely be more cost effective for them - they bought an office condo for their business - but shit. Well...better for me, too, I think. Wouldn't have to drive all that way and it would be easier to quit.

Thinking about it, though, it bothers me because he is the really only support person I have - that I can actually talk to - that I see in person. Definitely ups and downs when it comes to this.