I feel for everyone suffering in some way and also see the resiliency of my clients, friends, and community. While the road isn't easy and times are uncertain -- we have love. Love is bigger than shadows and the hardest times and love is bigger than hate.
The transition to Telehealth has been stable and most clients have relayed that Telehealth has been a convenient option without a loss of the quality of care. We continue to work out platforms and internet connections and these minor glitches will continue to get better as I continue to adapt . Given the unknowns from the pandemic and my office space having concerns regarding ventilation, as well as close quarters, I've decided to continue Telehealth and let my office go.
Certainly, there are some concerns about insurance plans covering this for the future and social workers will be advocating our legislature for 2021 and pressing legislators to pass mental health parity - to include unrestricted telehealth. In the interim, we are living with some variables about coverage for Blue Cross and Blue Shield clients. It's been relayed that some clients will be expected to switch to the insurance company's contracted therapists on their own online platform but *most* will continue to be covered until February, 1, 2021. We are waiting for clarification on which clients this will impact but in the end, it will be up to clients to call about their own specific plans.
I'm not taking new clients on right now but may after September. I've listed some clinicians on my home/landing page in the metro who were previously taking new clients and all LGBTQ+ affirming to help those I cannot e-mail back requesting appointments. My e-mails also auto-reply with their contact information should I not be able to respond to new clients.
In the meantime, I'm continuing to work on Enneagram certification and continuing online psychotherapy. I really appreciate everyone's flexibility and kindness throughout the transition and understanding about my office space decision. I also hope you're finding something you love in a world that feels fluctuating, inconsistent, and painful. Don't forget to look around you *right now*. Don't forget to pet your dog, hug your family, turn off the news, and sit in the sun. Right now. Balance acceptance and change - a dialectic.
I hope you focus your attention continuously if you find yourself going into the future or drifting into the past. Don't forget to focus on your breath and ground yourself.
Finally, I wanted to make sure I said this: All change towards equality and justice often comes with great pain. Whether it's Covid-19, political unrest, or civil rights moving towards something better. Change is incremental and each step forward is a step worth taking.
Many of us in the LGBTQ community realize the pain and activism directly paved the way for our own better conditions we have today. I stand with you.
Black Lives Matter.
Peace and love.
Jill