[*Beth*]

I'm wondering if anyone here knows when (or if) your in-person sessions will begin again?

[NP_Complete]

Likely depends on your therapist or clinic. I never stopped having in-person sessions, although usually one per week was online. Have you talked to your therapist about it?

[LonesomeTonight]

I have not, but I know my T (private, solo practice) has said he's going to wait extra time to make sure it's safe. My area is starting to open up, but we also still have fairly high case numbers, so I doubt he's opening his doors anytime soon.

[*Beth*]

My county is opening very slowly. I'm in favor of that, although it seems to me that medical care (including mental health) is essential and should open sooner than many other businesses. But, it's all about money. Therapy can be done by video, getting your hair cut can't be.

The clinic I go to is still very locked down. In addition, my therapist is extremely fearful of catching COVID. I'm not getting any timeline. If therapy sessions reopen to in-person I have the feeling that it won't be before the end of the year.

[Crook32]

I was told by my T September at the earliest.

[*Beth*]

September sounds reasonable, although if there is a "second wave"...

[daisydid]

My T said that maybe when the state of emergency was lifted, but our governor has extended it indefinitely so I don’t know now. I want to go back to in person sessions very badly.

[Omers]

My T is seeing some clients in person including me. Many have chosen to continue teletherapy for the time being. There are a lot of new rules and boundaries for in person sessions that make them a little strange... but I’ll take it! We both have to wear masks, stay 6ft apart and I have to sign a liability waiver type thing.

[healed84]

In my state psychological services were always considered essential. However my t and most of the other therapists choose to work from home for awhile. My t has decided to start seeing clients in his office this week.

I think it all depends on what state you are in, and your therapist’s preference.

[velcro003]

No, I think my T is kind of waiting and seeing how things go as the state slowly opens up. I miss her and her office.

[Shotokan]

Where I am, insurance carriers will only cover telehealth until the end of June. There are very few cases in my area. I may decide to wait awhile before going in to see my psychologist. I am high risk.

Mine did not ever stop.
I hope everyone can start going back soon though.

[ChickenNoodleSoup]

I will be going to my first in person session since February next week. Therapists here were allowed back to work at the end of April, but my T decided to stay put for a while and only started doing in person again last week and with a reduced number of people. I'm based in Europe though, so might be a bit different here than in the US.

[susannahsays]

She once offered that I could come in because we were having a rupture. She said we would just be really careful. She asked me recently if I still wanted to do teletherapy for a little while. The fact that she asked leads me to think I could have said I would prefer to come in. I can't really say I approve, but maybe she has some clients who are struggling a lot with teletherapy. I know she had one who couldn't even seem to get connected because she's so bad with technology.

[Amyjay]

I see my T on Wednesday. But after than I want to go back to online session again. I just prefer them. But I know she prefers in person, so I'll the occasional in person to appease her.

[*Beth*]

Looks like IRL vs. video is all across the board. My therapist is phobic (seriously) about COVID. I understand that she has health problems, but I'm wondering if video with no timeline in sight is beneficial for her clients. For me, it is not.

[Rive.]

A couple of weeks ago, T said 'soon'.

I hope not as I think it is risky. At least, for me it is.

Things are opening up too fast while there is no containing of the virus.

[ScarletPimpernel]

L and I have been doing some in-person sessions.

[zoiecat]

Personally, I think a lot of it will come down to the T income. If most insurance companies stop paying then they will probably open up to keep clients.

[Flinders40]

I saw my therapist for the first time (in-person) since March last night. However, I didn’t go to her home office, but to a nearby park. We sat on opposite sides of a bench. It was actually much better than being in her office ...

[Mountaindewed]

I saw my Pdoc yesterday and when I was setting up my next appointment for July I got a choice between in office and telechat. I chose in office. I see my therapist today and I’m wondering if she’s going to mention anything. Maybe she’ll give the same choice and do a few days at home and a couple days in her office or something like that. Idk. I’ll probably ask her what she feels safest with. I’m dying to get back to the office though.

[*Beth*]

Originally Posted by zoiecat

Personally, I think a lot of it will come down to the T income. If most insurance companies stop paying then they will probably open up to keep clients.

Yep! My therapist "jokingly" mentioned that she can't retire because she has to pay off her mortgage. Guess what? Not my problem.

[Mountaindewed]

My therapist just said video chats might be permanent! They can’t do that can they? She mentioned that with masks you can’t read the clients facial expressions. Basically it’s about the masks. She said doing therapy outside isn’t an option. Man do I feel ****ed over right now.

[LonesomeTonight]

Originally Posted by Mountaindewed

My therapist just said video chats might be permanent! They can’t do that can they? She mentioned that with masks you can’t read the clients facial expressions. Basically it’s about the masks. She said doing therapy outside isn’t an option. Man do I feel ****ed over right now.

Permanent? Ugh, I'm sorry. I mean, I can see saying it will need to be that way until the virus shows signs of going away, but I hope it won't continue to be such a big issue permanently... I mean, could she reevaluate in a few months?

Now I'm afraid to ask my T...

[Mountaindewed]

Originally Posted by LonesomeTonight

Permanent? Ugh, I'm sorry. I mean, I can see saying it will need to be that way until the virus shows signs of going away, but I hope it won't continue to be such a big issue permanently... I mean, could she reevaluate in a few months?

Now I'm afraid to ask my T...

I’m hoping maybe she meant that in session will eventually open but tele chat will remain a permanent option.