Bringing you up to date with services and my adapting to the pandemic

I am in awe of how quiet my street is. Saturday I went for my walk when people normally are not up and there was just enough of sole walkers to be able to maintain my social distance. I have seen people I didn’t know lived in the area. The city is not built for social distancing. Even though there weren’t many people out walking, I still found myself walking on the roadway to avoid getting too close. That is why it is difficult for me to go out and so I have begun a twenty minute work out tape. My body tells me it is out of shape by the crackling I hear and feel. My work has always led me out and about and now my work has me sitting and sitting and more sitting. Not too much as changed for me. I still get up at my usual time and go to sleep at my usual time, something I try to motivate clients to do, to build a natural clock for their bodies. I am still aware of my coffee breaks and lunch breaks and sometimes I call it a day, early and sometimes I need to work later. All in all, it is pretty much how I have been working except that now I have decided to do all my work on telephone or electronic until the pandemic is over. It is safer for all. For the past two weeks, I have been reading and researching everything about building an electronic practice. One of the questions I have asked is if this is something temporary or just until the pandemic is over? I have decided to keep it all. This has also given me something to think about as I review all my associations. As you know I dropped my title of Pastoral Counselling because the name had changed to Psycho Spiritual Therapist. However, I am still an associate. Should I stay or should I go? What are the benefits and is it worth the expense? I am with the American Association of Family Therapy? They are expensive and associated with the Ontario Association of Family Therapy. Should I stay or leave? I have sent them an email to determine if I am able to have American clients on my platform which will be compliant with them. As a Registered Psychotherapist, I am able to practice in Ontario. Not all provinces are regulated but with time, that should happen. I have written before in my blogs how in the past anyone more or less could provide therapy without qualifications, but no more. I was horrified when I learned that in my undergrad. There are still competitions where one thinks they are better than another. I remain amused by that. Isn’t that a common trait? In the past companies provided EAP programs covering psychologists and Social Workers and some have remained in that mindset. It is the employer who determines what the client is covered for and so one insurance company or EAP program hired by the company will provide only what that company wants. Not everyone is aware of who is regulated now and what can be extended. We have sheets to hand out to people who may not be covered by one association, but I have never handed one out. I don’t believe that clients should fight for causes, but our own associations and perhaps the government to point out what regulation is and what it entails. The Colleges are there to protect the public. I would like to see this extended to all services. There should always be ethical concerns for all areas of work, especially during these days. Some provinces are specific of what platform they don’t want. I have chose a platform that has all the requirements for psychotherapy in Europe, Canada and USA. I know that if I leave Canada to provide my services to another country, I cannot stay away and still keep my registration for more than one year. I know that regardless of the platforms I am using, I need to know if the state, province, country allows it and if my college is ok with it. I need in top of that to know, what the duty to report are, and if that is in conflict with anything. Since I have a private practice, I am mindful that I can only do so much. My own self care is the most important concern, because if I am not mentally or physically healthy, I cannot certainly help anyone else. One of my associations, the Canadian Association of Family Therapy has been most helpful these couple of weeks since the Corona Virus has changed everything. It is this Association (CAMFT) has the only recognition for Canada for family and couple are therapists. Not everyone knows that. We meet up on-line on a weekly bases across Canada and ensure we are all ok and we are up to date on what we need for our clients. I have also signed up for a two hour course with them “The Couples that play together, stay together.” I talked a bit about that last year where I attended Guelph University, for a seminar. You can read about that in previous blogs. I have also signed up for an one hour webinar with York University - The role of the Patient Navigator in the Global Pandemic. So, I am still working as I normally do without the fun attached. I love learning and keeping up to date. I also love the social part of it, as many of us do. So, with this pandemic I have had to change and adapt. Don’t we normally do that when something confronts us and forces us to change? If the pandemic did not happen, I would not have continued with telephone counselling nor would I have started an electronic practice (Ok, it is not up and running yet but I should be practising with it very soon). I want it up and running soonest of course for clients. I am looking at next Tuesday. This platform is more elaborate than I needed, but I would rather over do it than the opposite. I need to provide the best I know. This has been a cramming time. However, this will permit more options for people. I will continue with face to face, once the pandemic is over. It is the most secure. I will continue with the telephone (land line) because not all people are comfortable with computers (telephone is more secure than cell phone). I think the electronic practice may allow me to spend more time in a warmer climate. Imagine if I can go South in the winter? Possibilities is what I can explore now as I look into the ethics and regulations. If this pandemic had not occurred, I would not be exploring all these new options. I would not be experiencing all these new ways of communication and socialization. How is the pandemic affecting you? Do you have enough food, shelter? Are you safe? Has any of this given you the opportunity for some reflection and hope for change? What do you think? www.redigondapsychotherapy.com www.silvaredigonda.com

Cut and pasted for you from York University Bulletin - Managing your emotions around COVID-19

8 tips for managing your emotions around COVID-19 March 31, 2020coronavirus, COVID-19, York University psychology clinicAva Baccari York University students at Glendon CollegeThe COVID-19 pandemic is challenging all aspects of our daily lives and so change is required; and yet change is one thing that most of us find difficult to accept. Humans are creatures of habit and now, as all of our daily routines are disrupted, emotions such as worry, fear, sadness, and loneliness seep into this experience as we try to keep ourselves safe from an imminent threat. Below, are some of the common reactions that you might be having in the midst of this pandemic, and some suggestions about how to manage them. It's important to recognize that individuals can experience a wide range of reactions–so there's no right or wrong in terms of the particular feelings you may have. What is important is being able to bring a sense of perspective so that negative emotions don’t escalate beyond an ability to manage them. For many of us, keeping this sense of perspective will be a challenge and so those individuals also have to practice self-compassion–the opposite of being critical of oneself. Some of the common reactions you may experiencing right now could be: • Anxiety, worry, panic • Anger • Feelings of loss or grief • Hyper vigilance to your health • Social withdrawal • Skepticism or bravado/excitement Here are some strategies to help you manage. 1. Acknowledgement and evaluation. It's important to acknowledge whatever emotion you are feeling and evaluate its usefulness: “It's understandable that I am worried or sad or don’t want to get out of bed given this pandemic, and is this emotion/behaviour helping me?” For example, a little worry can be very useful because it might help you to follow the important guidelines to wash your hands and not touch your face, and to keep two metres away from others when you must go out in public. However, a lot of worry that leads to panic attacks or hyper vigilance is not helpful and needs to be countered. Think about what you might say to a friend that would assist them to find the strength to counter these unhelpful thoughts and gain some perspective. 2. Find activities to complete that you have control over, and can give you a sense of mastery or effectiveness. Intentionally engaging in activities such as household chores, listening to music, or watching a TV show, can counter the negative emotion propelling you on a downward spiral. “I am going to help myself stop worrying by watching my favourite TV show.” 3. Develop a “worry/sadness” box. This is another useful strategy to help you develop control over negative thinking. You can have an actual box or imaginary one. The idea is to write down the thought(s) circulating in your brain that you can’t get rid of, and imagine putting them in a box as a way of creating some distance. You can go back to the thought at any time, or you can simply use the space created by writing down the thought and moving onto other activities. 4. Adopt a mindset of gratitude. Research has indicated that identifying three things each day that you are grateful for can have a positive impact on mood. 5. Practice mindfulness. There are guided meditations on YouTube that will help you focus and break the worry or sadness spiral. Walking meditations can also be useful; to do this on your next walk, consciously pay attention to what you are seeing and have an inner dialogue about it. "I see a black car; the sidewalk has a big crack; the grass is getting greener." This will keep your thoughts focused in the here and now, and not on worry or sadness. 6. Control how much media you consume. Particularly if this is a trigger for starting the worry or sadness cycle. 7. Watch how you speak. Our language impacts how we feel, so pay attention to your inner dialogue and see if you can replace descriptors like “awful", "terrible", or "scary”, with “interesting" or "not helpful”. Self-compassionate language falls in this category: “I know that I am worrying a lot and I am trying to take small steps to counter it.” 8. Keep connected. We are social beings and the accurate phrase for how we should handle this virus is: “physical distancing with social connection.” Our social contacts can provide support, encouragement and distraction, so please remember to reach out. Remember, change is hard. Set small goals for yourself as you try to manage your emotions during this difficult time, and be kind to yourself. Louise Hartley is the Director of the York University Psychology Clinic. Post navigation

Thought of the day

There is a lot of strife among families. Much of it has to do with one person feeling wronged from the other. I work with this in family therapy. Emotions are very powerful and normally it takes a few sessions to delve beneath all the hurt. Why not spend some time today thinking who you are not at peace with? Have some self examination and reflection. Perhaps you may think of reaching out and letting the person you are struggling with know that you do love them. Sometimes that is enough to begin a healing process. You may call the person and say something like, "I just wanted to let you know that I love you." There is no need to say but, however etc......Just say the words you feel in your heart. I still remember a woman at the cemetary during the Christmas season anxiously waiting for a sister she had fueded with. She was hoping that her sister would visit the grave. She just wanted a glimpse of her. Yet, she wouldn't connect because she had lost hope. Hope is always there, you just need to reach out and re-ignite it. During this time if you wish to ask a question or say something you feel will help others, feel free to say so. Kindness is needed during this time. What do you think?

Domestic Abuse

As I am watching the news this morning on CP 24, what I see scrolled is the following: "France is relocating women by their partners into hotels as domestic violence spikes 30% since lockdown." This pandemic is exactly the ripe conditions for abusers. Their partners are isolated and become under their complete control. I have heard many nightmarish stories from survivors of abuse. It is difficult for those being abused to get help. There is embarrassment, shame, low self esteem etc.......Both men and women suffer abuse from both sexes. This extends to children and pets. Anxiety also increases for the abuser during these time as it does for all, but self management is fragile. Remember that this abuser is merely a man or woman who is abusing because he or she can. The unknown may be scarier than living with the abuser. No one deserves to be controlled, emotionally or physically or financially abused. Abusers are in all realms of society. They are physicians, police, military, politicians etc..........The abused are also in all arenas of society. They are professionals and everyday hard working people. The abuser will make you think that this is your fault. The abuser will in attempts to isolate you, discourage you to communicate with your family and friends. Take this time to understand that you have power over yourself. You just may not know it yet. You have come to believe that this is your fault because the abuser has told you this. This is not love. This is not passion. This is brutal control. What do you think?

Thought of the day - self care

When I was on an ethics course last December, one question we were asked, was this: I invite you to imagine you are in the forest. You are walking and then see a bench where you sit down. You have the choice of sitting next to anyone of your choice. Who would you sit beside? I am going to suggest that who ever you decide to sit beside, think of what questions you would ask? Have a conversation. What do you think?

How was your week? #COVID - 19

I am quite a structured living person. I like routine. Sometimes, I cheat and I am ok with it. I usually fill up my fridge and freezer and when the freezer is empty, I do a thorough cleaning and then go shopping and fill up the freezer again. This is one way to ensure that I don’t keep the food in the freezer for too long. It was just my luck that just before life as we know changed, I had done that shopping after cleaning up my fridge/freezer nicely. Last week I mentioned wanting to extend my practice to electronic. I am almost there. I spent the week becoming informed as much as possible until I was exhausted. I went out for a walk twice to clear my head, while trying to stay away from people from at least six feet. I was doing well until I walked into a local bakery. The first time I went in was only because there were a few people within and the second time I was alone. All the chairs and tables had been removed which is good and following Toronto’s standards right now. Even though there were a few people, the first time I was in, a woman was zig zagging all over the place searching for what items she wanted the clerk to get for her. I was zig zagging right behind her trying to maintain my distance. Finally, I had to say the words, “social distancing.” I had it be known that unless social distancing was not being complied with, I wouldn’t be able to return. A week later, I went for my walk and needing some basic foods, and seeing no one within I walked in for the last time. While I was trying to maintain distancing, people walked in and just moved in ahead of me. As I remarked about this, fury ignited and the proprietor suggested no fighting. As much as I love this bakery I will not return until the pandemic is over. It would be so easy for them to rope up the area and serve one person at a time, but it is not being done. I realize that not everyone is taking physical distance crucial but it is. I decided that the time had come when I had to venture further and so I went out to Fortino’s. It is situated at a mall and so I went and was surprised by the amount of parked cars in the lot. I was headed to the grocery store entrance when I was directed to enter via a caged pathway with poles spaced apart and a note attached to stop there, having a clear appropriate distance from each person. I had to wait until those before me had their cart which had already been cleaned for us. The tv news has asked us to shop alone and for the most part this was being done. The aisles are not made for distancing, but everyone was doing their best. I did buy more than usual because I want to minimize going out. It also cost me a lot more because I normally buy different items at different places. Not at this time, however. There was direction for us to enter each cashier stand which was being protected by a shield. One thing I did notice was the amount of people wearing face masks. My thoughts went to the health care workers requesting protective masks and other equipment. I wondered why so many were wearing what the health care workers need right now. I also noted that all but one, was wearing them incorrectly. Now I am hibernated nicely in my home. However, again I had a knock on my door a few days ago by a well meaning person who handed me a card. I went to the kitchen to wash my hands before returning to my phone call. People are still not getting it, that maintaining distance is very very important. Families are still visiting families and neighbours are still visiting neighbours. Now is not the time if we want to contain this virus. If people did what they are asked to do by health officials, we could combat this. If the virus has nowhere to go, it will cease. I am still seeing a minimum of clients who need to be seen, but we are maintaining social distance and the area is cleaned after each session. I would really love to do therapy on line and as I extend to electronic, I will encourage this more so. Last night one family member died from the COVID - 19 virus in Italy. He was creative, an activist in his younger day and had so much to still offer his family and society. I had never met him, but had heard so much. This is a very serious and deadly disease which people need to take seriously. This will get much more serious, before it gets better, so wake up and smell the coffee. Stay home. By the end of next week I want to be set up to begin my electronic practice. One of my associations has really stepped up in providing us with information and support. Wednesday we will begin conferencing and developing self care measures on a weekly basis. I am deciding if I should practice just in Canada or extending to the US and overseas. I need to always be mindful of the laws and regulations of other areas to determine if I have to omit certain states, provinces or countries. This will be a work in progress. However, for now, I need to get online to encourage my own clients to seriously consider this alternative. I still have lots of work to do. This is a good time for all of you to reflect where you are at this time in your life. How is this pandemic affecting you? Is your country taking this pandemic seriously? Are you in an abused relationship and noting that abuse is escalating? The police is still working. This is a time to ponder, reflect and determine what is best for you. This situation will subside eventually. I wish you all well and thank you for reading my blogs. My favourite city New York is suffering so much. However, I have faith in their mayor and governor to do the best they can. Our own politicians are serving us well, though I don’t think it is wise to travel on flights, trains and buses within provinces at this time. Tomorrow they will state that travellers cannot fly if they have signs of sickness. However, you can be a carrier without showing signs of sickness. We need to protect our more vulnerable places and people. I don’t normally do anything on line on Sundays or work. However, I wanted to talk to you today because the rest of the week I want to focus on the care of my clients and electronic measures. I do need to buy a new computer as soon as the stores open again. I don’t want to be taken advantage of on line. I know where I will go I will get a fair price, thought expensive for what I buy. I need what is best for my clients without being gorged. If you have a question, don’t hesitate to ask. In my last blog I provided legitimate resources regarding the pandemic. There is no cure right now so don’t believe these fraudsters trying to make a huge buck on your health. You may consume something that can cause harm. Maintain your distance from others and don’t go out if you don’t have to. Our Prime Minister and Premier are calling out people and corporations trying to take advantage of people by hiking up their prices. They can get up to one year in jail as well as a hiked fine for them. I wish you all to keep safe. Remember you have control of you. There are a lot of sites for mindfulness and self care on line. However, if you think you need more, let me know and I can talk about that. Be safe. What do you think?

An Introduction to Telebehavioral Health Practice