COVID-19 Response

This page will be updated regularly to provide information about steps that the Good Life Center for Mental Health is taking to address the ever-changing nature of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Good Life Center Covid-19 Status Update:

We are open and are currently providing therapeutic services and following CDC guidelines to ensure the safety of our clients. At this time, we are offering both telehealth and some in-person services. Telehealth services are provided using secure, HIPAA-compliant platforms that are reliable and easily accessible using any internet browser.

Our personal experiences, as well as research, have shown that online therapy is effective, and outcomes are comparable to in-person treatment. Teletherapy offers a unique opportunity to address difficulties from the comfort of your home, without adding additional time for commuting to our office.

The Good Life Center is consistently monitoring CDC recommendations and is updating policies and procedures on an ongoing basis to ensure the safety of our staff and clients for in-person services. The Good Life Center reserves the right to defer to telehealth services exclusively at times of high incidence of Covid 19 outbreaks and will adhere to universal precautions as recommended by the CDC when necessary.

The COVID-19 PANDEMIC

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected us all. Even though science has made great progress in the management of the pandemic, the fact remains that many of us are still struggling with a myriad of pandemic-related consequences, including death of loved ones, loss of jobs and income, social isolation, and health problems. For some, it has been particularly difficult to adjust to the progressive uplifting of universal precautions. While yearning to return to our pre-pandemic, usual way of life, we cannot help but wonder if meeting with friends and family without masks and social distancing will bring us back to the pre-vaccination nightmare. Clearly, the pandemic has created important mental health challenges for society as a whole. In fact, the latest research shows that about 4 in 10 adults in the U.S. have reported symptoms of anxiety or depressive disorder following the onset of the pandemic. Many people are struggling with sleep and eating deregulation and increases in alcohol consumption or substance use. At-risk groups that are experiencing a higher incidence of mental health and/or substance abuse problems include young adults, parents and children, communities of color, people with prior mental health challenges, and essential workers. These populations are displaying significant struggles with depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, an increase in suicidal thoughts, as well as increasing use of alcohol and other drugs (1).

There are national resources available to support imminent mental health needs, such as the Disaster Distress Helpline, the Crisis Text Line, and the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Ongoing psychotherapy is also available to address the ongoing and persistent challenges the pandemic has caused. Mental health experts expect that mental health services to address pandemic-related mental health symptoms for a significant period of time following the conclusion of the pandemic emergency. Even though time will allow healing for many, a number of us may develop chronic mental health conditions unless quality mental health treatment is provided. People who experience more severe stressors, such as exposure to the dead or dying, and prolonged exposure to other adverse consequences of the pandemic are more likely to experience enduring symptoms and would benefit from psychological interventions (2).

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