May 3, 2020
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 higher
due to the “collective angst” that is present in the world
today
- Considering any adjustments as opportunities to shift and
change your thinking using reframing (for example, “I’m safe at
home” as opposed to “I’m stuck at home”)
- Viewing the glass (or the coffee cup!) as half full, as opposed
to half empty
- Appreciate your own privilege
- Noticing “Negative Biases” and understanding that our brains
are primed for the worst
- Noticing your emotions and being okay with them when they show
up
- Meet others…and yourself….where you are at
- Focusing on what you CAN do
- Make a list of the ways YOU cope during COVID-19
5. Here is Julie’s List of ways of Calming the Chaos during The
COVID-19 Quarantine:
- It’s okay to break the rules
- It’s good to have a structured routine that is also
flexible
- Find ways to accept reality and yet be encouraging
- Meet and accept emotions when they arrive, and notice any
resistance you have to doing this
- Try Yoga…when other people tell you what to do, it can take the
decision-making pressure away
- Try mindful walking (notice the colors, birds and other sounds,
smells outside)
- Learn to Meditate…and try it with a friend!
- Maintain connections with friends, family and colleagues
- Enjoy eating without shame
- Accept the self-care method(s) that are right for you
Julie has a positive view of the “Post-COVID-19 Quarantine” that
includes:
- Restructuring her schedule so that she’s not on the road as
much
- Using the time not spent traveling to help more people
- Giving to others – sharing with others
- Helping others
- Telehealth some of the time, but enjoying being helpful in
person
- Valuing her self-care, her time, her family of choice, her
clients and her colleagues
Thank you Julie, for sharing your knowledge with us!
Listen to “Calming the Chaos” Podcast by visiting calmingthechaos.libsyn.com, or
visit my Website: at www.lokahicounseling.com
On my website, there’s a link to a mindfulness CD I created
called “On This Day.” This CD teaches you how to practice
mindfulness in less than 10 minutes throughout the day. Practicing
mindfulness has been shown to reduce stress and increase clear
thinking in times of chaos.
You can purchase the CD on Amazon at
http://bit.ly/onthisdaycd. or in digital format at
https://music.apple.com/us/album/on-this-day/1209386067
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Thanks for listening, and take care!