- Terri K. Lankford, LPCS, NCC, LCAS
Tackling COVID-19 at Rise & Thrive
Dear Valued Rise & Thrive Partner,
In light of the recent Declaration of the State of Emergency in North Carolina due to COVID-19 and concerns which have been voiced and heard, we want to ensure that you all know your options for maintaining your scheduled, consistent therapy sessions.
Your health and wellbeing, as well as that of our treatment team, is our absolute first priority. Rise & Thrive Counseling is also deeply committed to your continued care and we will make every effort to ensure that your progress and treatment are not limited by the current or future state of COVID-19.
We believe the actionable middle path that prioritizes both physical health and therapeutic treatment is for therapy sessions to have the option to be continued via distance/telehealth. We are very fortunate to have access to excellent, user-friendly, HIPAA compliant telehealth platforms and look forward to utilizing this resource as a choice to continue your care.
Beginning Monday, March 16, 2020 all clients and clinicians will have the option to participate in sessions that will be administered virtually via telesupport options.
This has been and will always be an option for all of our clients no matter the circumstances. We expect these changes to remain in effect until, minimally, Monday, March 30th. We will continue to monitor the situation and reassess at that time as we continue to monitor reputable sources and consider any recommendations when addressing the appropriateness of keeping the offices open. Those of you may receive a follow up email from your primary clinical detailing their own decision in this matter.
If you choose to switch to a distance session and already have an appointment scheduled with your provider, please plan to attend that appointment as scheduled, via telehealth. We use a HIPAA compliant telehealth video platform via the electronic health record system Simple Practice. While many of you have already used this platform without issue, for those of you who have not, please note:
Those of you who receive text and/or email appointment reminders, it will include a link which will bring you to a virtual "waiting room" for the appointment. If you do not receive your link, please reach out to your therapist and we can send it to you manually. If you are using an iphone, tablet or ipad you will likely have to download an app. It will prompt you to do this if need be. We do encourage client to use earbuds if possible to enhance the quality of hearing on both ends and to increase confidentiality.
Accessibility to telehealth only requires internet and can be done from any phone or a desktop that has a camera and microphone. If you do not have access to the above resource(s), please reach out to your individual provider to discuss other treatment options. Should you have any scheduling questions or concerns, please connect directly with your Rise & Thrive Therapist, or call the office at (984) 244-2111.
If you choose to continue the majority of your sessions in office, please note that we would prefer all clients wait for their session times instead of waiting in the lobby. Your therapists always walk out of their office doors between each sessions. This will be your cue that you can enter the office and/or snag your therapist’s attention if you’re unsure. We will also be taking extra precautions in stepping up the frequency of cleanings of the office above the norm. Be mindful that we already always wipe down hard surfaces that our clients may be touching often such as the hand tappers for the EMDR lighter between EACH session as typical good measure.
As your therapists and support system takes steps, we certainly recognize that the spread and continued unfolding of COVID-19 can feel alarming. Note that moving to provide online sessions is our way of working to support our community in its efforts to slow the spread of coronavirus and support our healthcare systems to function as well as they can. There is no need to panic. We are just exercising our responsibility as a community to make mindful decisions and provide you the option to stay at home and help to slow the spread. There are some clients and clinicians who are considered at high risk that attend our offices or those that go home to high risk populations and we want to do our best to support them. We are thinking of the elderly, the immunocompromised, those with underlying conditions, all health and service providers, as well as larger structural systems. There is no wrong way to feel right now. Please show yourself compassion and patience as the entire situation may be triggering and alarming resulting in heightened emotions. It is important for us to mitigate hysteria and remain informed. Coronavirus is serious, and also, there are precautionary measures that are undeniably effective in reducing the viral spread: Handwashing, not touching your face, avoiding large crowds & social distancing are included.
As we’ve had sessions with many clients discussing the anxiety around the situation, remember many of you have plenty of healthy coping skills in your toolboxes! Now is a great time to be practicing those. Use your safe spaces, breathing techniques and mindfulness practices. Engage in more activities that bring you joy. Among that, limiting your exposure to the media whether that be the news on tv or scrolling through your social media feeds can be helpful to reset your environments to one that is positive, calm, and conducive for rational thinking, free of panic. You can work to be prepared, but not over prepared (others need toilet paper too, guys lol).
We have some Extras for you as well:
First, We’ve had a few clients that were interested in natural cleaning options we felt that we’d share here a few links and websites that we love for recipes:
You can even make your own sani-wipes!
Here are two options:
https://www.diynatural.com/homemade-wipes/
https://wellnessmama.com/204701/disinfecting-wipes/
(Note one of the links/recipes does use Vodka instead of rubbing alcohol -- we are only offering this one up because we know that isopropyl alcohol is hard to find right now)
Also: We’d use a tea tree oil and eucalyptus essential oils combo to combat viruses!
Then, a huge conversation has been how to boost your immune system naturally and/or with supplements instead of “medication”. Here’s the deal, you need a healthy immune system ALL the time. This is not breaking news.
Here are our top recommendations for building up your immune system:
1 Prioritize good quality sleep
2 Eat real, nutrient dense food
3 Stay hydrated
4 Exercise and sweat
5 Keep your gut bacteria healthy
6 Get outside for sun and fresh air
7 Manage your stress, take vacations, meditate, breathe
8 Incorporate more garlic, ginger, and turmeric into your diet
9 If needed, add extra immune supportive supps
Some of our favorite immune system supportive supplements:
Optimal Glutathione Plus by Seeking Health
Optimal Vitamin D liquid by Seeking Health
Megasporebiotic by MicrobiomeLabs (spore based probiotic)
Raw, food derived Vitamin C by Dr Schulze’s Super C or Garden of Life Raw
Echinancea Plus by Dr Schulze
Zinc by Pure Encapsulations or Vital Nutrient
Elderberry (Buy Local!)
Oscillococcinum by Boron
* Remember that these statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These statements and products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. You should seek the advice of your medical professionals and do your due diligence to inform yourself of any health risks or medication complications these recommendations my pose.
If you all have any questions at all about this, PLEASE reach out to your therapist or discuss in your next session. We are here to support you. Please take care of yourselves, and by doing so, know that we are all taking care of each other.
Yours in Wellness,
Terri K. Lankford, LPCS, NCC, LCAS
Owner/Therapist
terri@riseandthrivecounseling.com
