COVID-19 hit unexpectedly , evolving from something happening thousands of miles away to the global pandemic that changed the way we practiced counseling from one day to the next . By March 16 , 2020 , all the news channels had reported that the spreading virus could be harmful but was expected to be over in two weeks . I left my office — with the DSM-5 , workbooks , and coping-skills handouts on my desk — thinking I ’ d be back soon .
In my state of New Jersey , many clinicians , including me , couldn ’ t have imagined that we would fear going to our offices and remain away for many months to come . Our work resources , charts , and other client materials we kept within hand ’ s reach were left to collect dust . Moreover , some of our coping skills were no longer available : Self-care tips such as going to the gym , gathering with friends , or going to a museum suddenly became obsolete .
Within 72 hours , the way I treated clients and conducted therapy was not accessible , and no one knew how , what , where , and with whom to consult or ask for the information . No one in my immediate community of counselors , supervisors , and mentors had any idea which way we could pivot to make therapy human again . Face-to-face connecting and emoting were gone . As a clinician , I now had at my disposal only the rectangular space of my computer monitor and no more knowledge about working with it than my clients had .
I spent my initial counseling sessions after the pandemic closures listening and reflecting , and exchanging information synthesized from media outlets . Clients and I together processed and integrated the happenings and understood that the rapidly unfolding , vastly unknown course of this viral pandemic indicated more changes to come . Our conversations about resiliency in the face of crisis and leaning into our strengths had begun . Lacking specific tools or guidelines and limited by the words we exchanged via computer screen , collectively we came up with an action plan of how we would face it together .
This dramatic transformation on every level was something that clients and I both experienced at the same moment ; it bonded us as an equalizer and took the counseling relationship into the realm of raw humanness . We drew on compassion , empathy , humility , and understanding . I found myself on the
Member Reflections
COVID & ME : Bonding With Clients Against the Same Stressor
Nina Nechay , LPC , NCC , started as a crisis counselor , serving the rural Maine community via mobile response and working a suicideprevention hotline . After completing her internship , she joined a PHP program that treats seniors to young adults , and men ’ s and women ’ s trauma . Her private practice embodies a culturally sensitive , traumainformed , community-oriented approach to counseling . A first-year doctoral student and the adjunct instructor and supervisor at the Psychological Institute in Ukraine , Nechay serves clients , supervises associate counselors , and pursues her research interest in multicultural supervision , trauma-informed counseling , and mindfulness-based somatic therapy interventions . journey of recreating my craft alongside my clients , as we each reconfigured our lives from a place where time had stopped .
“ Leaning into ” found its literal meaning as I leaned into the Zoom square to emphasize that I was there with them , separated by the screen but connected through our shared experience of COVID-19 . I ’ ve never clung so hard to my mindfulness skills , and I intentionally infuse every psychotherapy session with mental , physical , and spiritual mindfulness components . My clients and I have bonded over our shared task of coping against the same stressor : the confusing experience of living and aiming to thrive through the ever-changing global pandemic .
Now , at the second anniversary of the pandemic ’ s omnipresence , we are just beginning to learn about the aftermath of COVID-19 and the various ways it has impacted the world around us . Older adults are beginning to see , touch , and be with their families ; young people are catching up on two years of lost social-skills development and bond-building , little ones are getting adjusted to being out in open spaces with others . As we continue to observe our clients , we may realize just how unified we are by the crisis that has somewhat passed , leaving behind the wrecked trail of what we will be healing from for time to come .
As professional counselors aiming to reflect the integrity of our Code of Ethics and commitment to our clients , we may want to engage in and encourage research and professional development to find better ways to support and serve our clients ’ post-pandemic experiences effectively . We ’ ll have to dig deep and anchor ourselves in self-care practices , connect intensely with our tribes and communities , and focus and fill our cup more intently than ever to continue to be the light , the strength , and the healers of ourselves and the world . We have all anticipated the pandemic would one day be over , associating that end with the relief for all ; however , our expectations may not be met .
Nevertheless , we remind ourselves of strength drawn on during our weakest moments , resilience built when hope was scarce , and clients supported when we struggled ourselves . The pandemic prepared us for what ’ s to come ; it changed us from what was and gave us tools and experience for what ’ s next . May we not forget the waves we have already ridden when another storm comes .
2 The Advocate Magazine 2022 , Issue # 1 American Mental Health Counselors Association ( AMHCA ) www . amhca . org