[zoiecat]

With all the talk of virtual sessions, I was wondering if anyone is having in person sessions yet and how that is working out. Do you have to wear a mask? How does that work? Would you prefer to do virtual sessions instead of wearing a mask in person?

[healed84]

Originally Posted by zoiecat

With all the talk of virtual sessions, I was wondering if anyone is having in person sessions yet and how that is working out. Do you have to wear a mask? How does that work? Would you prefer to do virtual sessions instead of wearing a mask in person?

I am heading into my first in person session since March in a little bit. I know I have to wait in the car until he is ready for me, and wear a mask until I get in his office, somebody will be taking my temperature as well. As far as the session goes, aside from t’s chair being a little farther away than normal he has assured me it should feel normal. I have my concerns though.

[Lonelyinmyheart]

I'm having in person sessions now. T doesn't go out much and neither do I so we made that decision based on my need and what she feels comfortable offering me. I know some people have strong feelings about this but it works for us. I couldn't get on with online therapy for extended time.

[Lostislost]

I have been having in person sessions as I don't have a reliable internet connection. We haven't worn masks or anything, but the chairs are 2 metres apart. Might be different in USA though.

[NP_Complete]

Originally Posted by zoiecat

With all the talk of virtual sessions, I was wondering if anyone is having in person sessions yet and how that is working out. Do you have to wear a mask? How does that work? Would you prefer to do virtual sessions instead of wearing a mask in person?

Yes, but not all of them. We're at about 2/3. No mask. He seems to sit a little further away, but he scooted closer last session. He uses hand sanitizer after touching my debit card. I would not wear a mask in an in-person session, but I also don't really care for virtual sessions, so I don't know which is worse.

Yes. We do not wear masks. We also meet outside or in restaurants.

[Salmon77]

I’ve been doing in-person except for a couple weeks when there was a potential exposure and also when there were some riots in my city. No masks, everything normal. Except not as many people around the office because other people switched to online.

[Omers]

My T is offering in person sessions on a limited bases (mostly those who were trying but doing poorly with video sessions). We both wear masks and sit six feet apart. It’s awkward but with the privacy issues I have at home I will go with awkward.

[LonesomeTonight]

My T has said he doesn't really see doing in-person sessions until the fall, depending on how things go here, though possibly sooner. I feel like I'd prefer to do virtual sessions if I'd have to wear a mask in person. I tend to cry during session, so am unsure how that would work while wearing a mask--like a few tears would be OK, but today I was having to blow my nose. Plus I imagine I couldn't sit in my usual spot. The good thing is, he has a pretty big office, so I'm sure we could manage to be over 6 feet apart.


Something that came up in session today was how long it had been since I'd actually hung out with anyone (for more than a minute like to get carryout) in person besides my husband and daughter. I realized it had been close to 3 months. And I said it would probably take a bit of time for me to feel comfortable meeting with him in person again. Which is something that hadn't occurred to me until just then. Even though I've generally been doing ok with video sessions (though we had assorted technical difficulties at the beginning today, which was frustrating).

[*Beth*]

Nope. Since March 9th we have done teletherapy. There was only 1 session in-person and we had to wear masks, sit 6 feet apart, and sanitized our hands several times. I honestly don't know what's worse - teletherapy or a session with masks and distancing. Obviously, no hugs.

I guess I'd choose teletherapy over the other. I really am grateful to have some kind of therapy connection.

I very much doubt we'll do IRL sessions until the start of the new year - if then.

[ScarletPimpernel]

I've been having a few in-person sessions. We try to do in-person 1-2 weeks a month (I have sessions twice a week). I'm not sure if she's seeing other clients in-person yet, but I know the times I do see her, her officemate doesn't work that day. For us, she cleans the office before our session. When she greets me, she's not wearing a mask. Then she puts it on and locks the front door. Then we hug. After that, I go sit on the couch and take off my mask, and then she sits in her chair on the opposite side of the room and takes off her mask. Her window is open and she has a hepa(?) filter for her office. We talk without masks so that I can see her facial expressions and she can see mine. When session is over, we put on our masks and then we hug goodbye. And she requires me to wash my clothes as soon as I get home.

[ArtieTheSequal]

I just started seeing L again briefly, she is doing a few in person sessions now with farther-apart seating and masks and stuff and offered them to me, but I haven't taken her up on that. So far just doing video. I might do one in person during this short series though. I just hate the thought of having to wear masks and not being able to see her full face and mostly, being so close but not being able to give/get a hug. I don't mind sitting farther apart. But I would want to see her full facial expressions and I would want my hug at the end of the session. (see inner 15 year old petulantly stomp because she can't have either)

[daisydid]

My PHP program is meeting in person since Monday. Everyone has to wear masks and the chairs are roughly 6 feet apart. The masks are a bit tiresome, but I much prefer this to telehealth. My individual T is still doing telehealth visits, but he was interested in my experience with in person PHP, as he's had some clients who have struggled with telehealth (myself included).

[Sarah1985]

Never stopped in person sessions. But I think I was her only client to do so. Unsure but never saw another client in the building. No masks

[susannahsays]

Not at all trying to be snide or sarcastic Scarlet, but I understand now why you think masks are completely ineffective. I don't really see the point in wearing masks at any point in that if they're going to be removed for the session...

[ScarletPimpernel]

Originally Posted by susannahsays

Not at all trying to be snide or sarcastic Scarlet, but I understand now why you think masks are completely ineffective. I don't really see the point in wearing masks at any point in that if they're going to be removed for the session...

? I don't think I've said masks are completely ineffective. I wear a mask every time I leave the house (i.e. pcp, drive-thru, pharmacy, vet). I just don't see a point within my therapy when I'm already touching her clothes. I don't know. I just follow the rules of each place.

[susannahsays]

Hmm I remember people were talking about it on the couch and you said something like you had no illusion that your mask has any protective value. I think that opinion was shared by the other people who were talking on the couch at the time.

Could have imagined it or gotten you confused with someone else, though.

[Quietmind 2]

I have in person sessions because back when I lived with my family, I wouldn't have had the privacy and safety for telehealth.

Registered psychologists are considered essential workers where I live, so they can have in person sessions with high risk clients.

My temperature gets taken, and I sanitise my hands. She sprays disinfectant on the couch and side table after each client.

We wear masks, sit at least a meter apart, and don't come close to each other. If I'm crying hard, I need to pull down my mask to blow my nose. I put my used tissue in a plastic bag which I bring in, and dispose of it after my session.

[Rive.]

I would prefer to keep virtual sessions than having to wear masks. One, you can barely breathe under that thing... two, what if you cry?! which would require touching your face, adjusting the mask, trying not to suffocate. Etc.

Yeah, no thank you. I hope T keeps virtual on, until it feels safe for me.

I am not having in person sessions because we are in the middle of a pandemic where there is no vaccine and where (in the UK) 200 people per day are dying. I can't imagine thinking that in person contact with anyone is more important than these considerations. If I lived in New Zealand, I might be behaving differently.

[MissUdy]

I can’t imagine thinking that I know what’s best for everyone else, pandemic or not. As an ‘essential worker’ I have not had the luxury of being able to stay safe home, the same is true for my therapist in his different roles. We have taken every precaution possible, unlike our government. I hope everyone is staying safe and benefits from whatever kind of therapy they can access in these difficult times.

Originally Posted by MissUdy

I can’t imagine thinking that I know what’s best for everyone else, pandemic or not. As an ‘essential worker’ I have not had the luxury of being able to stay safe home, the same is true for my therapist in his different roles. We have taken every precaution possible, unlike our government. I hope everyone is staying safe and benefits from whatever kind of therapy they can access in these difficult times.

Deciding what is safe for everyone is exactly what happens in the implementation of public health emergency measures. We accept that personal liberties and preferences are set aside for a specified period of time in order that we can prioritise safety. I know that it is best for me, and others like me, to stay at home and to have limited or no direct contact with others. This contributes to prioritising the safety of others, like yourself, who are key workers and who can't stay at home. Seeing my therapist is not essential and in person contact with her is not worth the risk to life which it could present to both her and me, and ultimately to key workers, the elderly and other vulnerable groups. It is a simple decision for me, not least because I am avoidant and I have also developed some significant agoraphobic behaviours during lockdown.

[MissUdy]

Originally Posted by comrademoomoo

Deciding what is safe for everyone is exactly what happens in the implementation of public health emergency measures. We accept that personal liberties and preferences are set aside for a specified period of time in order that we can prioritise safety. I know that it is best for me, and others like me, to stay at home and to have limited or no direct contact with others. This contributes to prioritising the safety of others, like yourself, who are key workers and who can't stay at home. Seeing my therapist is not essential and in person contact with her is not worth the risk to life which it could present to both her and me, and ultimately to key workers, the elderly and other vulnerable groups. It is a simple decision for me, not least because I am avoidant and I have also developed some significant agoraphobic behaviours during lockdown.

Many thanks to you and everyone that stayed home to keep others safe, I realise it is a sacrifice no matter who you are and we really do appreciate it. I don’t feel that the people running the country did do their best to keep us safe, so it really is the common sense of most people that made the difference. At the same time, if anyone needed to see their therapist in person and was able to, I would not judge them for it.

I am a judgemental person though! It is one of the few life processes at which I excel!

[*Beth*]

Originally Posted by comrademoomoo

I am not having in person sessions because we are in the middle of a pandemic where there is no vaccine and where (in the UK) 200 people per day are dying. I can't imagine thinking that in person contact with anyone is more important than these considerations. If I lived in New Zealand, I might be behaving differently.

Okay, I would agree - except that almost all businesses here are open now, 3 months after the shut-down. So we have open bars, but have to do teletherapy. I can't understand that.