SCHEMA THERAPY ONLINE – Telehealth options
Impact of COVID- 19 on Mental Health
In recent weeks, we have seen the significant economic and health impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) on financial markets, vulnerable industries like manufacturing, tourism, hospitality, peoples safety and livelihood. The World Health Organisation declared COVID-19 a pandemic on March 11, 2020 which has impacted peoples lives, families and communities in ways that we have never experienced before. The government have announced multiple economic measures in an attempt to safeguard jobs, guarantee wages and support the self-employed, but there is ongoing uncertainty regarding how all this will play out over the coming months, leaving people feeling understandably stressed, anxious and fearful about what the future holds. Fear of the unknown can often lead to feelings of panic, for example when people feel they are being denied life-saving protection or treatment or that they may run out of necessities, which can lead to panic buying. Psychological stress is often related to a sense of a lack of control and a need for certainty.
The human cost of this pandemic, includes the deaths of friends and family, physical effects of infection and the mental trauma and fear faced by almost everyone. Not knowing how this pandemic will play out affects our economic, physical and mental well-being and although self – isolation and lock – down measures are for our safety it can instill feelings of traumatic stress, confusion and anger all of which are exacerbated by fear of infection, having limited access to supplies of necessities, inadequate information or the experience of economic loss or stigma. This stress and anxiety can lead to increased alcohol consumption, as well as an increase in domestic and family violence. Social distancing and the closure of schools and childcare to combat the spread of coronavirus create additional pressures on working parents, especially as traditional sources of childcare, like grandparents are most vulnerable to this virus.
The federal government have invested millions of dollars into mental health during this time so all Australians are able to access some form of mental health support. Mental health issues like Generalised Anxiety, Health Anxiety, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Traumatic Stress may be exacerbated as a result of this pandemic and the use of coping methods that are unhelpful that maintain symptoms. Schema’s that were dormant may be activated, these include Vulnerability to Harm, Mistrust, Abandonment and Instability, Failure, just to name a few. When Schemas are activated, it distorts reality and results in unhelpful and inflexible thinking styles, rigidity, low self esteem, depression, increased conflict with loved ones.
How can Schema Therapy Help?
At Schema Therapy Institute our practitioners can provide online consults and support during this this time. Sessions will help you identify what feelings from the past are being triggered versus what is current and ways to cope and manage feelings of distress. Schemas will be identified as well as the parts of you that hold the irrational fear or old feelings that contribute to further difficulties during this time.
What online platform is used for telehealth?
Consults are delivered by Zoom a reliable cloud platform for audio and video conferencing. To learn more about Zoom’s privacy and confidentiality measures please download the following Zoom-Security-White-Paper. To see one of our practitioners please call intake on 0455 668 028. If you would like to get a sense of who you would like to work with please go to Our Team and let Gavriel, our intake co-ordinator, know that you would like to make a time with a specific practitioner.
How much do online sessions cost?
Online sessions offer a rebate of $86.15 to $126. 50 with a current Mental Health Care Plan from your General Practitioner or Psychiatrist. Schema Therapy Institute is a private fee paying clinic but there is a sliding scale for students, pensioners and those going through financial hardship as a result of Covid- 19. Please discuss this directly with your practitioner. Mental healthcare plans can be also be accessed via Telehealth. You will need to provide your psychologist with this documentation. You will also be asked to complete a consent form to engage in Telehealth, this is a Medicare requirement. Your psychologist will discuss this with you. Please note that TAC, Worksafe and private health companies have also introduced telehealth funded items you can access during this unprecedented times.