News and Commentary from one of Torrance’s leading therapists.
The mental health repercussions of living with COVID-19 have been getting a bit of publicity lately. For good reason: dealing with unfamiliar requirements is predictably causing many if not most of us to feel a deep anxiety. This is an anxiety brought about in part by dealing with the loss of many of our most cherished connections. That is why I have decided to create a new addition to my Psychotherapy practice — COVID-19 Support Group Therapy.
Dealing with unfamiliar restrictions and a loss of connection can be surreal, with an accompanying feeling of disorientation – at times manifesting itself with the hallucinating quality of a dream.
Does any of this strike a chord with you? If it does, then you may have also felt that you were the only one who was experiencing these feelings. Which could not be further from the truth. But the real danger is that these feelings can in turn lead to a sense of hopelessness — a despairing sense that things just aren’t going to get any better.
One of the best ways to combat a sense of despair and hopelessness is to share your thoughts and feelings with others — and in turn listen to their thoughts and feelings.
I am forming two Support Groups — one virtual and one in-person. The virtual group will be no more than 20 people and it will be 90 minutes. The in-person group will be held in my office in Torrance, and limited to nine participants. All CDC-recommended precautions will be strictly enforced.
If you have not had the experience of being in an interpersonal therapy group, I predict that you will find it very satisfying and helpful.
If you are not on my website right now, go to drchrisregan.com, learn about who I am and sign up for a screening. Not everyone is appropriate for group therapy. Therefore there is a brief screening process to find participants who will be a good fit.
Wishing you all the best in this strange and trying year.
