Online Counseling and the Coronavirus in Columbus, OH
Our community has been hit hard by the Coronavirus outbreak. Maybe you’ve self-isolating or are worried about a loved one contracting the virus. Maybe your kids are going stir-crazy and you’re starting to feel apt to join them, or maybe your previous mental health conditions are being triggered by the uncertainty of the time. Whatever you’re facing, Thriveworks Columbus is here to take a stand with our community. We want you to know:
You are not alone.
With the news pouring in on every side, that can be hard to believe. But it’s true:
You are not alone. You’re strong and together we will get through this.
Thriveworks Columbus, OH has seen the strength and kindness of this community a thousand times over. It is a scary time. We don’t know what will happen, but we do know that with the right support, encouragement, and kindness, we can get through this stronger than before. Thriveworks Columbus is proud to be apart of that community effort.
While you’re taking care of loved ones, supporting our community, and fighting in your own powerful way, Thriveworks Columbus wants to remind you that now is also the time to take care of your own mental health. Symptoms of anxiety, depression, insomnia, and other mental health concerns are on the rise during Coronavirus panic. Some are experiencing these symptoms for the first time. Others are seeing a relapse in symptoms they thought were behind them. Both situations can make quarantine even more isolating and scary.
No one can fight your battles, but Thriveworks Columbus is intent on making sure you are fully equipped with the right tools and have unconditional support as you do. Our counselors now offer online counseling so you can receive support, professional guidance, and encouragement without leaving the safety and comfort of your home.
What Is Online Counseling? Why Is Online Counseling Effective?
Thriveworks Columbus recommends getting your news from reputable sources. The Center for Disease Control (CDC), the World Health Organization (WHO), and your local government are sources we recommend getting your news from and follow their protocols. Many of those include practicing social distancing and even self-isolating. Online Counseling is Thriveworks Columbus’s way of providing mental health support while also following safety protocols.
Your mental health during this time is important. Isolation has been known to worsen symptoms of anxiety, depression, and other mental health concerns. But you are not trapped in the situation you find yourself in. Often all people need to start feeling better is talking with someone. Our counselors practice a client-first mentality which means you will always be the center of our sessions, even with online counseling!
Online counseling is a versatile tool to take care of your mental health during this tumultuous time. Thriveworks Columbus offers insurance-covered therapy in the form of:
- Video conferencing
- Phone calls
If you have any questions about how online counseling can help your mental health or how insurance covers it, give Thriveworks Columbus a call today at 614-515-6291.
How to Upkeep Your Mental Health from Home
Online Counseling is a fantastic tool to use to upkeep your mental health, but it is just one in many. Our counselors suggest doing a little something every day to keep your mental state healthy and happy. A few things you can do in quarantine include:
- Limit the time you watch or read the news: Three, 10-minute sessions from a reputable news source is plenty of time to get caught up on what is going on in the world and locally. Don’t peek outside of those times! Also, sometimes it can help to let all your anxious thoughts flood free during this time. Give your mind complete acceptance to run free. Of course, the most important step after this is to close the news app. Try to go back to thinking rationally and do something that soothes you. Easier said than done, we know. But it is possible, sometimes we just need a little support.
- Keep up those healthy habits: Yoga, getting outside while practicing social distancing, at-home workout (have you looked at Pinterest’s many suggestions for this?), and trying new meals are great ways to break up the monotony and take care of your physical health, which will always help your mental health.
- Try something new: Yes, those Netflix shows are calling your name. It’s easy to fall into the same routine when you can’t leave the house. Trying something new is a great way to stimulate underused parts of your brain. Bake an extreme cake, try that woodworking project, or learn how to grow indoor plants!
- Get creative in how you engage with others: We love the people we’re spending quarantine with, but it’s also important to not neglect your relationships outside of your house. Skype, facetime, and other video call apps allow you to see loved ones wherever they are. This can be a huge mood boost.
- Don’t forget to live: Yes, the Coronavirus is scary. Yes, the future is uncertain. But you don’t have to stop living. Do something fun at home, start learning a different language, or start a new project. You are more powerful than your anxiety, don’t forget to have fun and live!
Thriveworks Columbus is here to support you in whatever way we can. Online Counseling is one of those ways. If you are feeling like you’re drowning or slipping under the weight of everything that is happening, there is hope. You don’t have to stop living because of the Coronavirus and all it brings. Now is the time to prioritize mental health and the health of our community. Reach out today if you want to schedule an online counseling appointment with Thriveworks Columbus.
