Encouraging Mental Health through Tele-counseling

“We can reduce our anxiety by reducing our risk,” said Dr. Brad Schwall, president and CEO of The Center for Integrative Counseling and Psychology. “Anxiousness at any time is about concern of the unknown and what we cannot control. By following precautions and all up-to-date information, we are controlling what we can. As we deal with this crisis, ensure that while our work routines and school routines have changed, we still need to be connected to others and taking care of our emotional health. We are creating a new, though temporary, normal."

We are continuing to provide counseling
The Center for Integrative Counseling and Psychology is committed to the safety and well-being of our clients and staff. With confirmed cases of COVID-19 coronavirus in North Texas, we are strictly following the guidance and recommendations set out by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Dallas County Health and Human Services as we recognize the seriousness of the situation.

In order to continue helping children, teens and adults navigate and grow through relational and emotional challenges, The Center is offering tele-counseling through phone and video counseling sessions.

In this uncertain season of coronavirus, we are all adjusting to a new normal. From social distancing and self-quarantine, coronavirus is drastically changing every facet of day-to-day life, school and work.

Ahead of the curve, The Center strategically rolled out its plan on March 12 to transition to tele-counseling to reduce the risk of exposure for clients and staff. With 31 locations across North and Central Texas, this has been a giant endeavor, but the transition has gone well.

In conjunction with new ordinances implemented by the City of Dallas and Dallas County to mitigate the spread of the virus, The Center has ALL counseling sessions through tele-counseling effective Thursday, March 19.

“We want to help ensure the physical health of our staff and clients, while encouraging the relational and emotional health of both current and new clients” said Dr. Brad Schwall, president and CEO of The Center. “By offering tele-counseling, we are helping flatten the curve. The Center is an excellent position to continue therapy sessions to every client regardless the circumstances related to COVID-19.

“The Center is fortunate to have this innovative tool in place for all our 30-plus clinicians. We've had a fantastic response from our clients, psychologists and therapists."

Tele-counseling FAQs

What does Tele-Counseling look like?
Tele-counseling can be done via a phone or video on your electronic device (iPad, laptop, desktop computer). You are sent a link to your session through our tele-counseling system.

What about my privacy?
Your privacy is our upmost priority. The Center follows all HIPAA (Health Insurance Portable Accountability Act) compliant guidelines to ensure the privacy of clients with tele-counseling.

How do I pay for tele-counseling?
Insurance and Employee Assistance Plans, including Medicare and Medicaid, are covering tele-counseling. Payment, whether you are choosing to use insurance or not, is safe and simple.

Is tele-counseling new?
Tele-counseling is not new. At The Center, we have been able to provide counseling remotely to clients in the past who are homebound, traveling or had scheduling conflicts and were unable to come into our offices.

Is tele-counseling available to new clients? Absolutely yes. Now more than ever, we want to me remove barriers and make tele-counseling accessible to anyone who wants it. Call our main line 214-526-4525 to schedule an appointment and we’ll match the right therapist for you.

How do I prepare for a tele-counseling session?
We recommend finding a quiet, private place away from others and distractions, so you can focus on your session as you would when coming into the office. We recommend using our video option as much as possible.

How long will my session take?
Your tele-counseling session, similar to an in-office session, will be 45 to 55 minutes long.

May my child or teen do tele-Counseling?
For younger children, we focus on working with parents. By consulting with parents, we are able to help the child and the whole family with strategies and skills. Youth as young as 12 may do tele-counseling, while still engaging the parents with consultation.

We're here for you. More questions? Please click HERE to send us an email.

Tips on coping with anxiety during COVID-19

“Be prepared and take measures to stay physically healthy, but also prepare yourself mentally,” added Dr. Schwall. “By thinking about your mental and emotional well-being and self-care routines, you can better cope with all of the changes and worries and the unknown surrounding Covid-19. Often, being a part of a solution or helping others can boost our well-being and morale. See the precautions you’re taking as serving your community and those who are more vulnerable. Be an encouragement to others through calls, texts, e-mails, social media, and video chats. The more positively we think, the more positive messages we take in and send out, the better we feel.”

Practice simple self-care routines:

• Get enough sleep
• Eat well
• Stay active
• Get outside
• Reach out to friends and family virtually
• Find things you enjoy
• Focus on things you can control and accept that things are uncertain

To learn more about The Center and our services, visit www.TheCenterCounseling.org or call us at 214-526-4525.

Three Keys to Being a Dad of Pre-teens and Teens

By Dr. Brad Schwall

“When I was a boy of 14, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got to be 21, I was astonished at how much the old man had learned in seven years.” Mark Twain 

Attention 

Pre-teens and teens test limits. They explore and risk. Their social engagement increases requiring them to manage peer pressure. 

Give them attention. Don’t use their need for space as an excuse to stay out of their lives. They still need guidance, just guidance more on their own terms. Attention involves setting rules and communicating. A balance of limits and boundaries with attention and guidance create a safe environment for pre-teens and teens to learn from trial and error.

Acceptance

Pre-teens and teens develop insecurities. They are dealing with changes – physical, emotional, and mental. It's not hormones that cause adolescents to “lose their minds,” and they aren't actually losing their minds. Their minds are developing. 

They need your unconditional acceptance. In a time of great change, you can be a constant in your kid’s life. Acceptance helps them feel comfortable talking which gives you the opportunity to give guidance. Acceptance leads to confidence. 

Appreciation

Adolescence is a time of creativity. The adolescent’s abstract thinking is developing. Pre-teens and teens are developing ideas and opinions.

Enjoy and appreciate your child. Affirm the character traits being developed. Appreciation encourages a healthy attachment which serves as a foundation for the changes and growth happening in your child’s life.

Join our email list to receive tips for Kids & Families and be the first to hear about our Parenting Talks and other events of interest. Click here to join .

By Dr. Brad Schwall

The recent events and protests in the news are not just topics of conversation for adults.  Race and culture are relevant topics to discuss with children and teens.  Children are a “tabula rasa.”  They are free from misinformation and have not developed preconceived impressions.  It's our responsibility to enable them to develop healthy views on race and culture by modeling respect so that they respect people of other races and cultures.

Teach Acceptance

Acceptance is the foundation of respect.  We model what psychologist Carl Rogers termed “unconditional positive regard” - respect for people without conditions. All people have worth.  We share similarities, yet, there are differences among people’s experiences, viewpoints, and traditions.  We accept differences while recognizing similarities.  Children are naturally accepting.  Our observations of the world shape how our children view the world.  Modeling acceptance means respecting people's opinions, not thinking less of people based on race, and being respectful of the traditions and heritage of all.

Encourage Empathy

Empathy helps us strive to understand the experience of another.  We can seek to understand what it is like to live the life of another person.  Assumptions are based on our own experiences.  Others do not have our same experience.  We must try to understand before developing an opinion.  We must accept that we do not fully know the experience of others, but we can listen and be open to hearing how others are treated and how they view culture and race.

Fight Ignorance

Don’t assume that our society has moved past prejudices.  A lack of information about culture and varied life experiences breeds prejudice and inaccurate assumptions.  Avoid generalities and stereotypes when you are talking in front of or with your children.  In our conversations, we can go deeper discussing power and justice in society.  Justice is a systemic issue.  Addressing discrimination requires a multifaceted approach involving government, communities, religious leaders, and citizens. 

Build Relationships

The only way to fight prejudice is through relationships.  Loving others, dialoguing, and working together breaks down barriers and unites us.

Every generation develops new insights and shapes their own approach to race and culture.  We have a responsibility to prepare our children to accept, empathize, advocate for change, and build relationships.

By Dr. Brad Schwall, Executive Director, Pastoral Counseling Center