Another Strange Holiday

The virus, the close downs, lockdowns, physical and social isolation, travel impossibilities, and general fear and enforced proximity are resulting in a lot of folks beginning to lose it. Yes, I know, “losing it” isn’t exactly a professional diagnosis, but we all know what it means.

A local woman made national news when she flipped out over being confronted for not wearing a mask in Trader Joe’s grocery. Screaming that she had a medical condition that exempted her from wearing a mask was pretty well voided since if she could scream at folks she could breathe through a mask. Besides, if she was that fragile what was she doing out shopping? And she wasn’t physically fragile. So…

So. Seems most likely that she succumbed to all that’s going on these days with whatever personal additions she brought to the store.

Do I have a point?

Yes, actually. First, these are tough times for everyone and perhaps most difficult for people who aren’t personally in the most vulnerable categories. Younger, barred from work, out of money, trapped at home with spouses and/or kids, bored, anxious, depressed, lonely – and you can see where this is going?

Toss in a “party holiday,” leaven with resentment and rebellion and alcohol and all manner of fireworks become understandable, if lamentable.

The fix?

Probably there isn’t one now that the virus has become a political football rather than the public health problem it really is. That’s really not in dispute, given the differing responses and results in other “modern” countries. At least there isn’t a public solution.

When there isn’t a public solution to a serious problem then we are reduced to personal solutions. Those of us in the high risk population have already had to adjust to that. Given my readership, most of you know that.

What to do?

It’s back, I think, to the standard “don’t be part of the problem, but be part of the solution.”

As the Brits say, “stay calm and carry on.”

Tempting though it is to throw caution to the winds, we’re in this for a very long time to come. It’s the public version of the cast on my leg which will immobilize me for at least another two months and hobble me for another eight after that, at best. I can rail against it or I can accept and do what I can. I’m choosing the option that gives me the most peace and best prospects. If you haven’t already, I suggest you too figure out what that looks like for you.

Want to See Your Therapist In-Person, Mid-Pandemic? Think Again.

Once again, a reader has saved me from at least part of my Monday morning (when I usually write the following Sunday’s Newsletter) angst as to topic. The above link to a Forbes article points out that the “in-person” vs. on-line choice is a complex one with many considerations involved.

Details are available within the linked article but the most obvious problems with “in-person” are the usual risk factors associated with everything these days – exposure, exposure, exposure.

We began experimenting with on-line deliver nearly two years ago. The reasons were simple. We wanted to lower our overhead, expand our availability, lower clients cost, and allow us to begin the gradual descent from full time to part time as we each wished to move into semi-retirement and the activities we had deferred for the past 15 years.

In the course of our experiment we have learned that clients do just as well with Zoom sessions as in person. The cost savings to you, depending on where you live, can be as much as 75%. You also have more control over how much of our services you think are sufficient since you determine how much follow-up you want whether 4, 8 12 or more sessions.

Additionally, during the Covid19 days, we give you a choice as to whether to fix the problem or exacerbate it. We do understand either choice and respect your ability to choose for yourself what’s best for you.

So, enjoy the article, call or write with questions or comments, and we hope you are safe and keeping others safe as well.