COVID-19: Crisis or Opportunity?

BY TERESA WINFIELD, MSW, RCSW

AS A PRIVATE PRACTITIONER, it is impossible to make it through a day, much less an hour, without talking about the pandemic and our current situation. Conversations with colleagues and clients alike elicit questions, (How are you coping with isolation? What is your most recent home-schooling struggle? How did you get groceries this week?) AND exclamations (I’m so sorry to hear about your job loss! I haven’t been out of my house in a week! I’m one Zoom meeting away from deciding to throw my technology out the window!) that seem to reflect a shared and yet varied experience for each individual and family muddling their way through a very strange new world.

Private practitioners are adept at being flexible and finding opportunity in crisis, and this new reality is likely no different. Each person must navigate their way through the maze of pandemic-related challenges while balancing the needs of their families, businesses and clients. Recently, I spoke with other private practitioners who shared their stories.

What struck me wasn’t necessarily the stressful and chaotic tales they shared. Nor was it the resiliency they demonstrated in response. It was truly the varied nature of experience and the meaning that they drew from it that stood out. I could likely categorize stories in terms of a few different topics: 1) How is your virtual work going? 2) Maybe I need to consider what I want for myself and my business in the long-term, and 3) The pandemic is a blessing in disguise.

Private practitioners are adept at being flexible and finding opportunity in crisis

While virtual work carries with it some unique considerations, doing it with little time to prepare can be daunting. Everything from equipment failures, to making sure informed consent is achieved, to assessing risk from a distance was shared. On the other hand, warm stories about having a glimpse into people’s homes (and sometimes a little too much of a glimpse – see “pants are mandatory when doing virtual work!”), to see cherished pets and touching moments of closeness allowed me to confirm just how much these clinicians were striving to do what is right by their clients.

There are stories about how the pandemic made some turn inward and reflect on what they want for the future. Have I developed a solid strategic plan? How will my business continue once I’m gone? Do I want to do this work until my working days are done? Maybe I should organize those groups I’ve been planning to arrange. Working from home can be an opportunity to use time previously given over to travel to gain some traction around all things business.

There are even social workers who see the silver lining in the otherwise dark cloud of COVID-19. They may exclaim, “I’m working out every day in addition to seeing my clients!”, “Maybe I don’t need to pay for an office!”, “I’ve played more board games with my kids than ever!”, “I never want to go back to the grind of everyday life; I like things the way they’ve been over the past few months!” or “My husband was so intrigued by the work I do that he’s decided to study social work too!” It’s clear some people have been treated to really positive moments.

When you own a business, it’s easy to find your stride in the good times and continue to build your dream. However, when the universe throws a curve into your carefully considered road map, it could mean it’s time to dig in and hold on for the ride around the corner. Or it may be an opportunity to see where the new road leads you.

TERESA WINFIELD is a social worker in private practice with 21 years of experience. She specializes in working with youth who have demonstrated sexually concerning behaviours and the families who care for them.