Episode Title: “The Gift of Time” Interview with Julie McInnis, LMHC of Chrysalis Counseling Services
Intro: Julie McInnis is the founder of Chrysalis Counseling Services and works with clients who have trauma, Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome (PTSD), and also does clinical Supervision for new Counselors.
We’ll listen as Julie talks about how the COVID-19 Quarantine has affected her and her counseling practice, and find out how she, as a psychotherapist, copes with the chaos of adjusting to a new way of life, both personally and professionally.
1. How are you doing therapy sessions in The COVID-19 Quarantine?
- Telehealth sessions in her kitchen / dining room
- Visiting her office to clean and water plants. “I miss my office!”
- Tip: Julie keeps the image of “The Chrysalis” in her mind: A Chrysalis is the holding environment for a butterfly, and is a place of transition. She is holding space right now for growth, while keeping a vision of what is to come, and what is new. So the image of the Chrysalis is much like the world we live in now!
- TIP: Thinking of The COVID-19 Quarantine as a blessing, “The Gift of Time” as an opportunity to do self-care, to hold, and to grow. “Things are happening in the Chrysalis,” and “It may take some time,” and “I hold a vision of growth and what is new.” (Very optimistic reframing!)
2. Story #1: A positive experience during the new world of COVID-19 can help create positive emotions, which can calm the chaos in your mind.
- Giving to strangers in need can create compassion and “being human,” or “re-discovering your humanity.” It can also give you some appreciation for what you have.
- Taking action where you can, and connecting with your humanity can help you feel better…even when you are tired or grumpy.
- Calming the Chaos Tip: Remember to use what you have (like maybe use oak leaves for toilet paper?)
3. Story #2: A “not so positive” experience during the new world of COVID-19 can help you become aware of important information about yourself and your world, and help you make adjustments to calm the chaos in your mind.
a. When there are new processes and procedures (such as the ones at the grocery stores) because of COVID-19, you may encounter the following:
- Being told what to do by management or other customers
- Feeling like a child
- Needing to learn new rules and processes
- Having to make decisions quickly (so you can move out of the way of others)
- Being publicly shamed, or told that you aren’t moving fast enough
- Feeling panic
- Feeling disempowered
- Doing something new that results in a physical injury (Julie injured her shoulder)
- Not having access to medical providers that are “non-essential.”
b. Bottom line: more physical and emotional pain or chaos can happen in the process of adjusting to new procedures in the world.
4. Here are some ways to use “The Gift of Time” to Calm the Chaos during The COVID-19 Quarantine:
- Practicing humility in the midst of new processes and procedures
- Becoming aware of the times where you can stand in your own power when following new rules, processes and procedures in the world
- Encouraging yourself through making decisions from an empowered place
- Sharing strife with others
- Acknowledging emotions and talking through them with trusted friends, family members and colleagues
- Practicing mindful awareness (a balance between being overly careful and careless) especially when negative thinking gets...
