Family Medicine Psychologist and Clinical Assistant Professor, School of Professional and Applied Psychology, PCOM, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
“I serve two roles: as a psychologist and as a clinical supervisor of psychology trainees.
As psychologists, we have rapidly shifted our mode of practice to a telehealth platform.
… In our remote sessions with patients, we’re seeing more frontline workers employed
in healthcare settings requesting psychological support. These patients report fearing
going to work. They’re wrestling with being dedicated to their profession and at the
same time feeling protective of themselves and their family members. … Patients may
fear they’re COVID-19 positive, or be struggling with the adjustment to sheltering
in place. I’m focused on communicating as much emotional presence and kindness as
I can on the video call or telephone call, because we are not face to face. … My patient
may have learned that someone in their family, or a close friend, has died of COVID-19.
Given social distancing requirements, that patient may be robbed of the opportunity
to engage in their cherished cultural rituals to say goodbye to their loved one or
their friend. So their grief in some ways is disenfranchised. … As a supervisor, I
am guiding our students as they continue to learn in a time of uncertainty. For some
of our psychology students that I supervise, this may be the first time they’ve provided
service telephonically. Coaching students in how to address bereavement issues can
be challenging and also deeply rewarding. It provides me with a unique opportunity
to bond with our students and to help them walk through this process. … Even if it
isn’t a crisis call and no one is in imminent danger, if the patient is emotionally
distressed, we want to make sure that we’re listening to the tone of voice and exploring
what the silences and the pauses mean. … As a training program with a cognitive-behavioral
orientation, we guide patients in examining their deeply held beliefs about themselves,
about the world, and others. Needless to say, our beliefs regarding the safety of
the world are being tested. … Similarly, in the supervision process, I’m asking students
to examine their own thoughts and their own anxieties about how well they have helped
the patient at this point in time. And that openness to self-reflection is fertile
ground for maturing as a professional. … Given the profound losses due to COVID-19,
there will be a need for behavioral health services as the future unfolds. This pandemic
will provide us the opportunity to grow into more compassionate healers. At the end
of the day, I want my patients to know that they were cared for during this frightening
time.”
As told to Janice Fisher
May 5, 2020
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