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An Unforeseen Story: Adapting & Connecting in Covid Times

This year has been a wild ride. In early January, like many of us, I thought: “2020 doesn’t know what’s coming for her! A new decade, with new intentions, new goals, and new adventures”. Well, 2020 had other plans. 

When Covid hit, I found out that my partner, a physician, was needed on the frontlines and we would be moving to Boston. The nerves set in. Leaving my friends, my family, as well as my colleagues and clients at Elle to move halfway across the country was scary to say the least! 

This, on top of the new reality that is Covid-19, in which we have to be aware of everyone around us. Where we have to remember to take a mask wherever we go and to wash our reusable ones as often as possible. Where our grocery stores, restaurants, retail shops, and airports do not look the same. This is where we have been marinating in the unknown for the past year. Not knowing when Covid will end, if there even is an end, or what our economic, academic, or healthcare system will look like once this virus passes. 

In the early months of living in Boston, creating a routine was almost impossible. I was settling into this mysterious new place, applying for jobs, and attempting to create a sense of comfort. Luckily, therapy has never been more accessible. As I sat down to talk with my own therapist about life’s recent transitions, it dawned on me – “I’m making this really hard on myself”. I knew in that moment, one of the largest comforts for me personally is my work family and my clients at Elle. Why was I forcing myself to let that go? Especially when this new Covid reality of virtual life made it easier to hold on?

Virtual life for the field of therapy means increased access and usage of secure video Telehealth sessions, in which nothing offers more peace of mind to both client and therapist in not spreading the virus. Thankfully, insurance companies have realized this as well, with many individual plans waiving copays and even deductibles, specifically for Telehealth sessions. 

So, meet your old/new telehealth therapist! I’m here, living in Boston with a love for my dear Wisco. I can even show you my comfy cozy office where I sit for hours at a time and eye flirt with the blue light coming from my computer.

I have found that tele-therapy offers a new level of comfort. I have been on both ends, a therapist and a client, and I know how stressful the initial appointment can be. You walk in and *boom* time to unpack all that baggage you’ve tucked away so tightly. To do this from the comfort of home, your safe space, helps. 

What does this mean for the client? No more asking mom for the car, running to the bus, finding an uber after a college class, or coordinating picking up the kids after work. Commuting, finding parking, tickets, don’t have to be part of the equation anymore. If you are working at an office, the only place you have to go after work is home. Turn on that computer or charge your phone and log into your session. 

When many things are going virtual, this is a time to cultivate the power of choice, and choose healing. With all of the societal, economic, academic, environmental events that are transpiring, choosing to engage in therapy and hold space for yourself, is an admirable act of self-care, something that is necessary to get through the foreseeable unknowns. 

Once winter comes, imagine, beginning your therapy appointment with a nice mug of coffee, tea, or hot cocoa, a warm blanket, and sweats. Now that’s a concept! Honestly, let’s make it a therapy date. I’ll meet you in my flannel pjs with a warm ‘cuppa’ tea. 

Natalie Russell is a Wisconsin licensed psychotherapist living in Boston and currently accepting new clients. Reach out to us in order to begin your therapy journey with her.