Returning to Work After Corona 19 Took 3 Loved Ones

I believe in putting a face to the over 174K (up to date) precious souls that have perished in the United States due to this horrible pandemic. They were Mothers, Grandmothers, Fathers, Grandfathers, Brothers, Sisters, Aunts, Uncles, Children, Family and Friends that forever will be missed and they NOT just a statistic.

My Dearest Clients,

As many of you know I took some time off after experiencing 3 tremendous losses in my family due to COVID19. It has been surreal and difficult but I have and continue to learn a lot about me and the human spirit.

After having some time to reflect and do some much needed self-care, I feel I am ready to return to offer and hold space for my clients. I want my experience to make a difference to others and that so many deaths through COVID 19 are not forgotten. The way I best deal with adversity is to find a silver lining and see how this tragedy can be turned into a gift of some sort. I have always felt it was important for me to be honest with my clients, since we are collaborators in this journey of life. We will all have struggles and adversity in our lives and it’s my being transparent about it, that I feel helps in my therapeutic work with others and makes me more empathic and tangible for you.  I knew I had to take some time off to try to make sense of what had happened, to adjust to a new world, to grieve and to begin to heal so I could help myself and in turn be a better therapist for you. I have used this time to allow my losses to teach me more about loss and grief and to be able to use what I have learned with my clients. Sometimes it just listening when no words can help, but having someone hold the space for you is so comforting.

So much has changed since I was last in my office, we are living through some unprecedented, very challenging, and intense times and new research has demonstrated that the pandemic has led to a significant increase in the number of mental health issues affecting people. Our world is experiencing so many losses and emotional challenges (death of loved ones, health issues, mental health issues, increased suicide and addiction, job loss, connection, financial concerns, overwhelmed parents, children unable to see friends, school, weddings, concerts, sports, normalcy, fear of the unknown future, just to name a few) all due to this pandemic and it’s only been 6 months. It is overwhelming yet it is true, “we are in it together”, perhaps in different situations but overall similar affects to our mind, body and spirit with feeling so out of control and numb. This pandemic hit us with little warning, we are suffering acute traumatic stress. We see our world is not “normal” and the daily bombardment from the media does not help.

As an Essential Health Care Provider/Psychotherapist my goal is provide a safe space to listen to my clients, identify the issues, and meet you where you are emotionally. Each person’s grief is personal and incomparable to another’s. There is no ranking of loss, just what it means to each us to go without, to miss, to be separated, to be disappointed, to feel alone and bereft. But one thing is certain if we try to avoid grief we avoid love.

Beginning September 15, 2020 I will be taking appointments for virtual therapy sessions. To start I will be working Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursdays from 10:00 am – 6:00pm. We need to work hard to manage our emotions well. I am here to assist you and walk with you through coping skills, and listening to YOU. I know I could not do it alone.

I look forward to seeing some of my past clients and to welcome new clients. To set up an appointment please call or text 818-395-8066. BE SAFE. WEAR A MASK, WASH YOUR HANDS, and SOCIAL DISTANCE.