The World Can be a Lonely Place

March 18, 2021 | ACT Teletherapy |
Loneliness

recent years has changed many aspects of our lives, from how we shop to how we spend our free time. We do our best to maintain 6 feet from anyone we don’t know, and even those we know really well we still maintain some distance for safety. We elbow bump instead of hug, we use online conferencing for social gatherings, even our children are learning to have their get togethers online.
Illustration of a line extending partway from one cluster toward another without connecting, representing the first move toward reconnection.

Stolen Moments

The hardest part is the inability to visit our sick. Whether it is our parent with dementia or our uncle with COVID. Our family members are struggling with their health with only hospital staff to provide comfort. Both above cited cases are all too common unfortunately. Our elderly family members with mental health issues like Alzheimer’s or Dementia don’t do well on the phone if their disease is advanced. Language skills are challenging as well as the ability to process and retain what is being said to them. In fact, Alzheimer’s and Dementia patients rely considerably on facial expression and simple acts of touching and comfort to communicate. Obviously, this is a challenge with COVID. Family members who have contracted COVID and are at risk are likely to be in a hospital, quarantined from the world and surviving on oxygen or a ventilator. Having a mask on your face to breathe makes talking on the phone, the only means of communication when in quarantine, quite difficult.
Illustration of one differently coloured figure within a dense crowd of identical figures, representing feeling alone among people.

Keeping it Together

We are all hopeful as we see the vaccines being rolled out as quickly as possible. The rates of new hospitalizations are dropping but it will still be months before all the restrictions of recent years are lifted. If you or someone you love has been affected by the lonely, dark times the COVID virus has inflicted on our lives, help is here. We are available to help you by phone, by text, or by video. We do take most major insurances. Don’t struggle alone. Reach out to us for personalized counseling and therapy. Let us help you start your journey to better mental health!!!  

833.928.1430

If any of this sounds like your situation, our counseling for loneliness and isolation is where this work actually happens. We see people in person at our offices in Ontario, Rancho Cucamonga, Redlands, Huntington Beach and Newport Beach, and by telehealth anywhere in California.

We are contracted with Kaiser Permanente, Aetna, Cigna, Anthem Blue Cross, Blue Shield of California, Health Net, TRICARE and Optum among others — see the plans we are contracted with. Our staff confirms your benefits before your first session.

Request an intake appointment or contact us with a question first — either is a normal way to start.

Clinical content reviewed by Nicholas Fittante, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT #27161).

This article is for general information and is not a substitute for individual clinical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

If you are in crisis or thinking about harming yourself, call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) or go to your nearest emergency room.