Mental Health Practitioners Providing COVID – 19 Support

People are losing their ability to support their livelihoods. The Washington Post reported the staggering number of unemployed in the article Over 10 million Americans applied for unemployment benefits in March as economy collapsed. Communities are worried about financial viability of businesses as they close to prevent the spread of coronavirus. Families share concerns regarding loved ones and friends who have been infected or who may be infected as the numbers increase. As a country we are concerned about the future.

Mental health professionals across the country are providing support to their communities via distance learning and online measures in response to the COVID – 19 (coronavirus) pandemic. Professionals are conducting therapy sessions using telehealth technology. Telehealth technology allows the client and mental health practitioner to virtually meet via a secure video and/or audio feed. Other mental health professionals are offering free or low – cost group sessions to address overwhelming stress. Two providers in Southeast GA are among them.

Laurie Teixeira, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Richmond Hills, GA is offering a virtual, interactive class to help individuals deal with stress. The class “YES, I am Stressed, Dealing with the COVID – 19 Pandemic” begins Friday April 10 at 11 am EDT. This is a 90 – minute group session.

Ms. Teixeira writes:

During this unprecedented time in the world, everyone is dealing with strong and changing emotions related to the COVID – 19 virus. Your health, the health of your loved ones, your work, your finances and isolation are just some of the most obvious concerns.
We don’t have control over the virus, but we have some control over how we manage our feelings and get through this time together.

Additionally, Ms. Teixeira will use a process called Tapas Acupressure Technique (TAT) to guide participants through the steps to help them to decrease and shift emotions.

M.L. Bailey Consultants is focusing on helping individuals to sleep. Over half of the adult population in the United States admits to losing sleep. Many more lose sleep due to concerns around finances, relationships and the future. The COVID – 19 outbreak exacerbates all three of these concerns.

M.L. Bailey Consultants began broadcasting live on Facebook three nights a week, Sunday, Wednesday, and Friday at 9 pm. Led by Marcyline Bailey, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, the happyhalfhour.club Nighttime Live Experience provides a free interactive conversation about the most effective and comprehensive methods adults may use to fall sleep easily. Ms. Bailey emphasizes and teaches lifestyle choices that impact our ability to fall asleep, to sleep through the night and to wake up well rested.

Ms. Bailey says:

Our ability to get a restful night’s sleep begins the moment we hop out of bed in the morning. I stress the importance of living mindfully and increasing our individual awareness of what works for each of us.

Ms. Bailey has completed three live sessions to date. Here is a recap of the first episode.

Episode 1 “Things I Wish I Knew When I was Up All Night”

In this episode, Ms. Bailey shared how she came to study and increase her expertise in the stress response, stress relief and the impact stress has on the body. She shared her experiences in a life struggle and how it affected her ability to get a restful night’s sleep.

She also reviewed two points related to being up all night. Specifically, you are not alone, and stress is a mind game. During the live experience viewers learned of two components of a restful night’s sleep. One is to create an environment that is conducive to sleep. The other is to practice stress relief techniques. The nighttime live experience ended with a mindfulness relaxation exercise.

View Ep. 1

For more information on these two resources click the following links

YES, I am Stressed Dealing with the COVID – 19 Pandemic
Happyhalfhour.club Nighttime Live by M.L. Bailey Consultants

“I work with social workers and hard-working professionals who want to be happy. I would love to hear from you.” You may join the conversation by commenting on this post or on our Facebook page M.L. Bailey Consultants or connecting with me on LinkedIn.