The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have taken a toll on most people’s careers and the mental health of many individuals. As a mental health provider or therapist, you may have experienced heightened emotions in your clients since the onset of the pandemic. Not only does fear of sickness and death take over the minds of many individuals, but some may be dealing with grief. There is also the difficulty of adjusting to remote systems and ways of life.
Dealing With Clients’ Fears
Many citizens across the country have developed a fear for the safety of their health since the onset of the pandemic. Working with your addiction recovery clients, you probably have found that some of them experience this fear as well. To cope with this drastic change in society and the fear of the pandemic itself, previous addicts in recovery may feel a desire to fall back into the habit of using their problematic substance to cope with these changes.
It is important to address the pandemic and ask your clients how they feel they have been personally affected by it. Establishing a form of communication regarding the matter can potentially help them open up about their struggles and prevent them from feeling alone during this time.
Clients who already experience a form of anxiety may experience an increase in anxiety during the pandemic. Reviewing coping strategies and implementing new strategies if necessary can help them regulate stress related to the pandemic and process its effects. Reminding your client that they are not alone during this time can help them feel more comfortable sharing their emotional state.
Establishing a Connection Online
You may notice your clients have a difficult time opening up about their emotions as meetings transfer to a virtual setting. Some people feel more comfortable sharing their feelings in person and in a private place. This adjustment can be difficult for new patients as well, especially as you are getting to know them without being able to meet them in person. Reaching an understanding of their specific case and determining the most influential solutions can take practice with a change to remote work.
It is important to ensure you are fully focused on your sessions with your clients even if you are not present in the same room. Fully engaging in their session and avoiding outside distractions is important for your client to feel they have your full attention. It will also help you pay attention to keynotes that may help with their recovery. Many patients have found they feel a diminished effect of therapy after being online. Keeping your connection and attentively focusing on your client can help you still contribute to your client’s success.
Managing Increased Burnout Levels
During this worldwide adjustment, it is easy to view ourselves and the world around us in a negative light. With overall increased sorrow and emotions, burnout levels in addiction recovery have increased. This can be due to people being overworked in their job setting, fearing for their health, getting frustrated by lack of social engagement, or experiencing other effects of the pandemic. These emotions and feelings leading toward burnout may occur within yourself as well. If you experience these, remind yourself how important you are to your clients. Everyone needs a helping hand during this time, and you can be the support your clients need to get through this difficult time.
During this period especially, reminding your clients of their past success and keeping them focused on their goals is highly encouraged. Frame the pandemic as another learning opportunity to help you and your clients grow. Looking at the pandemic as a challenge to overcome and look back on as success can alleviate stress and anxiety as people adjust to the changes in society. Your clients may look to you to observe how to handle this adjustment. Having you as a strong role model for their behavior can reduce their stress levels as well.
Handling Isolation
Your clients likely experience high levels of isolation during the pandemic, depending on current state regulations. More time alone can lead to high levels of boredom, and clients who have limited distractions may find it more difficult to avoid indulging their cravings. This heightened isolation can increase the chances of recovering addicts falling into a relapse and regressing in their recovery progress.
Providing your clients with recommendations for activities they can engage in while social distancing can help them distract themselves in these moments. If a client is currently using their problem substance at home, the behavior has a high chance of increasing frequency if they are not provided with alternate distractions. Encouraging your clients to attend virtual meetings, get outside for fresh air, or engage in something enjoyable at home can reduce the chance of substance abuse reoccurring.
Working with clients through their addiction recovery and mental health disorders during the drastic societal change of the pandemic comes with many challenges for you and your clients. You may notice your clients developing a strong level of fear for their health and the health of their loved ones. Some may also be dealing with grief. The likelihood of recovery burnout is increased from the extra stress they possibly are facing with their job, social isolation, and overall change in their day-to-day life. On top of these extra stressors, many therapy sessions are being moved to an online format, disengaged from face-to-face contact. This can be hard for some clients to adjust to and feel comfortable with continuing to open up about their emotional state. To learn more about the effects of COVID-19 on your therapeutic practice and your clients and to receive suggestions for working through this adjustment, reach out to Dream Recovery at (949) 732-1960.
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