Dr. Ron Rickerhauser

Children

Even though his current client base is mostly adults and teenagers, Rickerhauser had a background working as a school counselor and psychologist before going into private practice.

The lack of interaction with others their age while classes were online was the primary issue with children and high school-age kids, Rickerhauser said.

Gross has also worked in schools in addition to private practice before working with the Needs Council where she continues to work with children on occasion.

“We’re very fortunate here in our schools that the kids have gone back,” Gross said. “But still, you’re looking at very prescriptive social interactions, the social distancing, the masks. Think about how much children learn by seeing facial expressions, and that’s something that our kids have missed out on.”

Teletherapy

During the pandemic, teletherapy became popular not only through virtual therapy sessions but programs such as Better Help and Talkspace.

Rickerhauser said he does a lot of teletherapy now since it was something he and his clients were exposed to early in the pandemic.

“There’s a learning curve in using it,” Rickerhauser said. “After you get a session going and the communication has opened up, it flows pretty much like a normal session would.”

Teletherapy and other forms of telemedicine are growing increasingly popular even as people are returning to in-person activities in other aspects of their lives.

“I think we’re always going to have a component of telehealth,” Gross said. “But I also think that there’s just a very essential part of the counseling relationship that you miss when you’re not with someone in person.”

Gross said she found it very difficult to have effective counseling sessions virtually, especially with children. She also said people can face problems who don’t have access to the internet or have limited knowledge of technology.

Stigma

As more people struggle with mental illness and seek help, more people are talking openly about their personal struggles with others.

“We’ve heard a lot in the media about an increase in depression and anxiety and the need for mental health services,” Rickerhauser said.

“Is the stigma being eliminated? No, I don’t think so. But I think it’s far more acceptable to have those conversations.”

Gross said it seems like people are more comfortable talking about their stressors, anxiety and depression since everyone has gone through such a dramatic change together. “People can bond over the stress of trying to school your kids at home, and the stress of trying to work at home,” Gross said. “And I think it’s just kind of given us a common experience that can bind us together.”