Mental health professional adapts in the age of COVID-19

When Gov. Gregg Abbott eased restrictions regarding telemedicine, including teletherapy, on March 17, the action expanded telemedicine options by giving health care providers greater flexibility to perform audio-only telephone consultations with their patients.

Kelly Joslin, a licensed professional counselor in Atlanta, is adapting to providing therapies to patients due to the current COVID-19 pandemic in a way she has never before attempted.

“There have been a good number of clients that choose not to come in, and the majority of those will wait until the crisis over to return. Others have minimal concerns at this point about being in public or here. I think the layout of my office helps with that. Several clients report that coming in is the only time they leave the house.”

“Here, my entire office is laid out in a way that distancing is fairly organic”, Joslin said, “Unlike a clinic, seating is spaced out. In my therapy room, that is the case as well. Distancing has not been an issue. My office manager, Jodi Garrison, is in her own area with a window for payment and rescheduling.”

Joslin said that before the pandemic, she did not offer teletherapy but has implemented a procedure to provide such therapy if she can no longer meet her patients in person.

“I am not very tech-savvy, and many insurances have very specific parameters. With the relaxed restrictions, I may provide services telephonically. When Jodi and I reviewed Gov. Abbott’s order, the provisions made by the Insurance providers and the Counseling Code of Ethics, we created an informed consent form that each client that comes in signs, in the event that we may longer meet face to face.”

Joslin said that as for best practice, utilization of service by telephone would be extended to established clients only. Additionally, the Texas Counseling Association and the Centers for Disease Control offer Joslin and other licensed professional counselors across the state frequent updates as protocols change.

As for the impact on her patients, Joslin is optimistic.

“I believe that due to Cass County’s low occurrence rate, most of my clients are handling the situation well. The vast majority are taking the recommended precautions and following the guidelines for shelter in place and social distancing.”

“For several clients, this pandemic has served as a reality check, in that some of their worries and concerns may not be that problematic in the grand scheme of things. In general, I have seen several clients reevaluate their priorities.”

Joslin said that she believes now is the perfect time to practice kindness.

“The uncertainties may not change, but our reactions to those are completely within our control. Be kind, check on friends and neighbors, simplify where and when you can. If someone calls to check on you, call to check on someone else. Get a call, make a call. It is time to communicate with voices, not screens, as much as that is possible. Hearing a voice can make a huge difference to someone that is sheltering alone.”