In Alberta the government hasn't been entirely clear about whether psychology is an essential service. Fortunately, the limits they place on meeting apply to clinics in buildings that are open to the public. As Sussman Psychological is located in a private space, apparently the government's dicta don't apply...at least, so far.
Therapy conducted in virtual space works. I say this from what I have learned using it over the past 5-10 years. This is the first time a pandemic has created the need to meet in virtual space; usually the issue is geographic. I am licensed in Georgia and Registered in Alberta to practice psychology. I have met in virtual space with people in other provinces and states. My preference overall and under ordinary circumstances is for face to face meetings, however, that isn't always possible and virtual space is a powerful and useful alternative. Every client I have met with in virtual space has indicated that it does work just fine.
So, the basic considerations regarding whether we risk face to face contact remain the same as always:
Self-Isolation is absolutely necessary If either of us has been out of the the country. Strict self-isolation for 14 days is the minimum needed.
Self-Isolation is absolutely necessary if either of us has the sense it would be best not to meet face to face.
Self-Isolation is absolutely necessary if either of us has been in contact with anyone who has symptoms of a cold or flu or COVID-19 and/or if we ourselves have such symptoms, and we have to be completely honest with one another about this.
People are gregarious. We need one another. Isolation is psychologically stressful and is a frankly destabilizing force. Still we face a reality in which direct physical contact poses a risk. During this time I have actually made contact with and initiated a therapeutic process with new clients who expressed satisfaction with the way virtual space works.
I belong to a group of therapists who are considered leaders in a particular school of therapeutics by the therapist who developed it. We have been meeting together twice annually for years. This year we chose not to join in physical space. We are exploring the use of virtual space technology to go ahead and meet and to work together anyway. It’s not as much fun as being together physically. But it works, and does that surprisingly well.
Whatever you do, avoid concluding that you cannot reach out to a therapist now. Apt psychologists will generally be able to meet at a distance in virtual space just as surely as they can meet face to face where conditions support doing so.
I for one would love to receive your call. 780.424.5592.