Covid-19 and Decision Making

Covid-19 and Decision Making

The new world of Covid-19 is forcing us all to think about how we make decisions. It is also forcing us to think, not just about ourselves, but how we affect one another. When we go out into the world, we are exposing ourselves to risks that we can’t see. Nobody can tell us if somebody is sick because for so long a person could be asymptomatic and spreading infection with one another. Covid-19 reminds us that now we need to think beyond just ourselves, but about how our actions are impacting one another.

As such, as a therapist, I am in close proximity with people who are coming in times of great pain and distress. People in a huge amount of pain and distress struggle to think about how they are impacting or affecting other because they are so consumed by their own pain. As a result, part of my role as a therapist is to help make decisions for people and to take care of people so that they don’t think about me or my wellbeing. This is one of the many unseen skills and features that I provide my clients with, that I completely and totally take care of myself so that I can focus on them.

However, in the new face, in time of Covid-19, I have to take the extra step of reminding people that they may be going out into the world and taking risks, such as meeting in large groups, attending social activities, going into the office, living with a family member or a housemate who is in quarantine, or may also be exposing themselves to risk. As such, this person, my client, who is coming in to see me, may not think about how the risks they are willing to take for themselves are also putting my health and wellbeing at risk without my consent.

As such, all people will now be required to fill an office visit form to check their risks, so that I may make an informed decision about whether or not we will meet in the office. It is the unfortunate new reality that Covid-19 presents us until we have a vaccine. In addition, there will be a surcharge that clients will need to pay to meet me in the office because of the additional risks that I am taking.

The fee is also there to help people pay attention and realize that the risks that they are taking are also putting their therapist at risk and that I need to have an informed choice. It is also to cover the additional costs and additional spacing out that I need to have between clients to make sure that the next client that is coming into my office is not exposed to increased risk due to Covid-19 virus.

Unfortunately, this is the new reality that we live in. Everybody needs to take precaution and be socially responsible so that we are not putting others at unnecessary risk without their consent. Please join me in helping to keep Covid-19 down by complying with this measure. If you do not like this, the online option is always available. It is clinically as effective as in-office, it saves commute time, people can record their sessions, there is no less of a relationship. You are always meeting with me, whether online or in the office.