Helping Your Student Through the COVID-19 Pandemic in Amherst, MA (Hampshire County)

Helping Your Student Through the COVID-19 Pandemic in Amherst, MA (Hampshire County)

Students of all ages have been sent home and are completing the academic year online. These steps are absolutely necessary in preventing the spread of COVID-19, but they are also taking a toll on our students mental, behavioral, and academic health.

If you’re a parent of a student during the shelter in place order, theses phrases might sound familiar:

“I’m bored.”

“There’s nothing to do.”

“My online classes are dumb. They don’t even work.”

Or maybe, you don’t hear much at all because they leave their rooms less than normal. Without daily contact with friends, hobbies, and the routine that made up their life until today, students of all ages are more likely to slip into depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and other dangerous mental illnesses.

Of course, most students are dealing with the change in routine won’t develop a mental illness. But still, feelings of apathy, worthlessness, and anxiety are on the rise. Online schooling can be difficult for those with learning disabilities like ADHD, Autism, or those who don’t work well in a virtual school environment.

Whatever your student is struggling with, Thriveworks Amherst MA offers comprehensive online therapy to meet their needs. To schedule an online therapy session or to ask any questions, call (413) 684-4805.

What Are Some of the Struggles Facing Students Today?

Students in elementary, middle, high school, and college are facing higher levels of anxiety and depression than any generation previous. There’s a lot of speculation and research as to why the rise in mental health concerns, and researchers haven’t come to a conclusive agreement. Many think social media and the hyper-connected world plays a strong role.

Whatever the reasons, it is most likely exacerbated by the shelter in place orders and isolation happening across the world. There’s no doubt in Thriveworks Amherst’s mind, our students are resilient and will overcome this. But that doesn’t mean we can’t help them along the way.

Our online therapists have seen students virtually for many reasons, including.

  • Loneliness
  • Anxiety around how COVID-19 will affect their future
  • Depression
  • Worsening symptoms of eating disorders
  • Trouble adapting to online schooling
  • Boredom or restlessness
  • Coronavirus fear and anxiety
  • Feeling isolated from friends and passions; loss of self
  • Worsened behavioral health problems (coping with ADHD in isolation, a surge in aggression, adapting to a new routine with autism, etc.)

Our students are incredibly perceptive. They may not always demonstrate it, but they understand the coronavirus is world-altering. They know their futures are likely to be changed forever by this, and that’s a tough burden to bear when you’re trying to graduate high school or are entering the middle school.

Online therapy in Pioneer Valley seeks to encourage, support, and uplift our youth. Social distancing has put a halt on many of life’s normal activities, but our students are still growing older. They are still our future, and they deserve the chance to thrive.

What Is Online Therapy?

Virtual therapy with Thriveworks Amherst gives you all the benefits of in-person counseling from the comfort and safety of your own home. Research has been done on how virtual therapy compares to in-person therapy and the results are conclusive:

Online counseling is just as effective as in-person counseling.

Why is telehealth therapy so effective?

  • It’s convenient: Moving around or canceling therapy sessions is easier to do when you don’t have to drive to a counseling office and sit in the waiting room. Online therapy is designed to give you maximum benefits with least amount of hassle.
  • It’s safe: Especially with COVID-19 and shelter in place orders, virtual therapy is a staple in mental and behavioral health. But beyond keeping Amherst safe from the virus, online counseling has also been shown by researchers to make clients feel more secure. With a screen in between you and your counselor, students especially are more likely to open up. This makes the counseling process go faster.
  • It’s comfortable: Warm up your coffee and grab your favorite blanket, because you don’t even have to leave your house for online counseling. Although we all are probably wishing we could leave the house about now, there is still that sense of comfort and belonging when you’re sitting in your bed.

Whatever age your student is, their routines have probably been flipped upside down. With the change in routine, the uncertain future, and the lack of friends and external outlets, our Amherst students are struggling. To help cope with the changes and prepare for the future, Thriveworks Amherst is happy to talk to your student virtually with an online therapy session. To schedule an appointment or to ask any questions, call (413) 684-4805.

Thriveworks Counseling Amherst MA

People Love Our Providers!

Overall Rating: 5★★★★★ based on 10 5 1 10 reviews. See all reviews
Thriveworks Counseling Amherst MA

Yvette Cooper

★★★★★
I have had the privilege of working with, and knowing Yvette Cooper for the last 3 years. Her compassion, caring nature, and knowledge she brings is second to none. Her dedication to her client’s and their well being is something anyone looking for therapeutic services would be happy to find in her. I can’t recommend Yvette enough!
Thriveworks Counseling Amherst MA

Kristen Kocot: empathy and integrity in counseling

★★★★★
I've had the privilege of knowing and working with Kristen Kocot, a counselor in Amherst, since January 2019. We met in person after she heard my appearance on SiriusXM's Karen Hunter Show. Since then, we have co-created and presented continuing education material at conferences in Massachusetts. As a traumatic brain injury survivor, I value Kristen's approach to therapy perhaps more than the average person. Her dedication to the whole recovery - immediate release from hospital/clinic, adjustment and acclimation to what life now is, facing the roller coaster that can fuel life post-trauma, pairing the clinical with the personal - sets her apart from many of the therapists I have known. I wholeheartedly recommend Kristen Kocot and sessions with her.
Thriveworks Counseling Amherst MA

Dr. Gregory Handel

★★★★★
Dr. Gregory Handel is not only an exceptional psychologist but is an exceptional human being as well. Always going above and beyond to provide support, care, and love for those in need. This man exemplifies all the right qualities of a counselor, he is patient, listens intently, and is honest, always. No matter what struggle or conflict you may have endure or are enduring, Dr. Greg Handel will always do everything in his power to help you through it. Filled with compassion, empathy, and wisdom, there is no one in the therapeutic industry better qualified.
Thriveworks Counseling Amherst MA

Sarah Hoxie

★★★★★
Sarah is a strong clinician who responds to clients and families with genuine compassion, sound clinical judgment, and an accessible, caring personality. I trust Sarah implicitly and would recommend her without hesitation.
Thriveworks Counseling Amherst MA

Dave Zellmer

★★★★★
I was fortunate to work with Dave for several years in supporting the success of clients. He brings a wealth of experience and training in providing high quality therapy. Dave is one of the most positive, trusted and competent therapists I've known. All would agree that Dave is a delight to work with!
Thriveworks Counseling Amherst MA

Dave Zellmer

★★★★★
I was fortunate to work with Dave for several years in supporting the success of clients. He brings his wealth of experience, and training in providing high quality therapy. Dave is one of the most positive, trusted and competent therapists I've known. All would agree that Dave is a delight to work with!
Thriveworks Counseling Amherst MA

clinician character endorsement

★★★★★
Sarah H. has shown to have extensive clinical knowledge. She illustrates sound clinical judgement and extraordinary people skills. Sarah is very passionate about her work and she is always compassionate and empathetic toward her clients and colleagues. Sarah brings a warm, calming presence and it is a great privilege to work alongside her.
Thriveworks Counseling Amherst MA

Kindness and Compassion

★★★★★
Sarah Hoxie is a highly skilled clinician who takes the time to get to know each patient and the greater family system. Her compassion, patience, and kindness help patients feel at ease and safe to share their stories. She is dedicated to find the right treatment approach and intervention for each unique case.
Thriveworks Counseling Amherst MA

Authentic Support

★★★★★
My wife and I have thoroughly enjoyed Greg's guidance and support in our marriage. He has been knowledgeable and authentic in his counsel.
Thriveworks Counseling Amherst MA

Superb crisis intervention

★★★★★
Our family has benefited numerous times from Greg Handel's wisdom & insight when dealing with anger issues, frustration, disappointment and anxiety!
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Thriveworks Counseling

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  • 21 Pray St,
    Amherst, MA 01002

  • Mon-Fri:8AM-9PM
    Sat-Sun:8AM-5PM

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