What does working from home look like as a trauma-informed therapist for St. James students, parents, and graduates?
On a typical day, you will find me doing therapy calls with my 10-month old daughter Casey in one arm and my 2-year-old son Levi in the other! The needs are greater than ever, which has increased my caseload. Meanwhile, my wife Kelly is doing data analysis for a COVID-19 task force.
How is the current situation affecting your therapy goals?
My main goal is to provide specific coping strategies that students and parents can utilize independently. I use 30-40 different strategies, depending on the case. I am also practicing dialectical behavioral therapy. It provides very in-the-moment strategies to cope with the anxiety and stress many of them are feeling as they deal with job losses, more child care responsibilities, remote learning, etc.
Are there additional challenges right now?
My area of focus is trauma, and recovering from trauma is a long process. It involves therapy with the child and with the parent. Being web-based can be a benefit if it makes the parent more available. But often I find providing therapy remotely is more challenging and takes longer. In addition, I am working with the St. James staff to prepare them to support our students’ mental health needs when they return to school, which might include recovery from trauma during COVID-19.
What is keeping you hopeful?
The progress of students who participated in the trauma group this year is really astounding! They learned about the brain science of trauma, how to recognize symptoms in themselves and others, and what coping strategies they can utilize. These students are not only very in touch with their mental health needs, they are providing support to family members. A student who recently lost her grandmother has been encouraging her family to utilize the coping strategies she learned. It’s a beautiful thing. Everyone is really caring for each other right now.
What are you most looking forward to next fall?
I miss being a kid with the St. James kids! I miss doing secret handshakes, TikTok dances, and taking walks to the chicken coop. I miss Chef Anthony’s cooking and lunch with my co-workers.
Anything else you want friends of St. James to know?
I just want to say thank you so much to all of our supporters. Humbly, from my heart. Because I know it’s a trying time for all of us. It really shows the depth of compassion in our donor community. These are scary times, but our supporters are saying “I am not giving up on St. James.”
