Virtual Counseling

Access to mental health support for children can be extremely challenging. As we all know, mental health services are not cheap. And it tends to be the families with the least resources that struggle the most to find the money to pay for such services. Thankfully many school psychologists are trained and comfortable providing services like this. Sometimes there is a school social worker who would also be a good resource for these students, especially the younger ones.

As the students become older (6th grade and above) they tend to isolate themselves more. It becomes more challenging for them to reach out at all if they are in need. Sometimes just the real face-to-face part of it makes it completely aversive. Luckily, we are finally living in a time where mental health services can be accessible through a mobile phone or computer. It is a new way of practicing mental health so many are skeptical and options are limited, however, I have firsthand experience that it is absolutely perfect for people like myself.

I personally have significant issues with anxiety and I am currently a stay-at-home mother so my schedule is not my own. When I return to the workforce it would not be likely to change in that aspect. I am no longer in need of counseling, but I really love that this option is available to me now.

I was a skeptic. I wondered how someone could possibly provide therapeutic services without seeing and observing during a session. And in some respect, those things can be lost, making the therapeutic process a bit more challenging. Many of the services offer a video chat or messaging services, which can be extremely helpful in times where emotions are high and typing would be cumbersome. My skepticism faded very quickly. It can be extremely helpful to be able to message your counselor as things are happening. I didn't have to wait a whole week or so and try to remember everything I wanted to talk about. The somewhat immediate feedback also helped me implement strategies quickly and more effectively because that waiting period didn't exist. I could show my face or remain fairly anonymous. It honestly provided me with a sense of more control than the traditional set up for therapy.

I bring this up because our youth will only become more reliant on technology to provide services. And it is our job to try to meet them where they are comfortable enough to share. This might mean having an open door policy, providing therapeutic supports in the school setting, or (if parents are willing and able to pay) using virtual counseling.

TalkSpace was the one I went with. The prices for what you were able to get out of it were the most reasonable for me. I did a lot of research on these and this one also had the best reviews. At the time there were approximately three options. There are likely more now as this begins to catch on. But don't hesitate to do your research and find options that might work for your students. This could be a resource that changes their life.

Experiences of the Unexperienced

Lately, I've been really frustrated. I've felt defeated and unheard. I've battled with myself on "ethics & morals" versus "what is right or wrong simply as it is defined by law." I'm realizing the extent of my naivety. I once thought that professionals actually had ethics, believed in them, and followed them like personal law. Ethics is stressed so much in our training programs. I just assumed that people really believed in doing what is right. I have found myself in many moments of a "reality check" related to this issue. The reality is that people like me are the minority. Granted, I've only been working in one place so far. So, I'm just hoping that it's not as bad in other places. I'm hoping that not all the world is corrupt and heartless.

Another realization I've come to lately is that people working in a helping profession feel helpless a lot more than I had anticipated. As our economy continues to implode and people continue to lose their jobs, the stress of it all trickles down to the children. Then those children go to school feeling angry, helpless, sad, and confused.  Some parents are at least helpful enough to make an effort in the home environment to help their children but most are not. It is a hard reality to face when we can only do as much as we can while we have these children a few hours a day, then they go home and we start all over again the following day. It takes a lot of courage and perseverance to keep on keeping on in this field of work. Sometimes at the end of the day, once I'm alone, I cry. It's all I can do to put on a happy face for these children. They need that more than anything. They need someone who will always be super excited to see them; give them high fives, hugs, and unconditional positive regard. But sometimes I have to pull them out of a dark place or calm them from a rage. This is both physically and emotionally exhausting and it's all I can do to not break down crying in front of them. It hurts me to see such little children be in so much emotional turmoil. It's just not right, they shouldn't have to deal with the things they have to deal with. But I keep doing what I do because the little successes are so powerful. I keep doing it because I could never be content sitting idly by watching people suffer. I have to do something even if all it is is making a someone smile.

I love my job, don't get me wrong. I absolutely wouldn't want to do anything else. But there are a lot more challenges to this than I thought. I'm learning every single day. I love that too, but sometimes it's a hard lesson I have to learn. 

I've also decided that I will start closing each blog with a profound quote. Words of others often provide me with comfort and inspiration. By sharing them I hope someone else finds inspiration and comfort as well. 

“Whatever you do, you need courage. Whatever course you decide upon, there is always someone to tell you that you are wrong. There are always difficulties arising that tempt you to believe your critics are right. To map out a course of action and follow it to an end requires some of the same courage that a soldier needs. Peace has its victories, but it takes brave men and women to win them.” ― Ralph Waldo Emerson