Orange therapists utilize teletherapy to reach patients during COVID-19

Orange therapists have continued their practice virtually during the pandemic, working to combat a spike in those requesting therapy. Photo illustration by CLARISSE GUEVARRA, Staff Photographer

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Marriage and Family Therapist Jason Odegaard only allowed his son to play Fortnite one hour per day, as long as his homework was completed. Now, his son is allowed to play as long as he wants. While some may be quick to question his parenting, Odegaard knows that’s the only way for his son to connect with friends, being stuck at home while completing his schooling virtually. 

“The more connected we are, the better we are going to feel internally and externally,” Odegaard said. “We’re more likely to be healthy physiologically, psychologically and spiritually if we’re connected to other people.”

Along with a shift in parenting, Odegaard, along with many other therapists, have had to shift their business models by conducting therapy sessions from an empty office or makeshift office spaces at home. The practice of teletherapy has seen a massive spike since the beginning of the pandemic, helping combat a surge in anxiety and depression among Americans over the past months.

Counseling centers such as Straight Talk Clinic in Santa Ana are available to anyone in California that needs access to resources or affordable counseling. Sara Marquez, program and outreach manager at the clinic, said that in the middle of March, they had seven therapists with three to four clients each. Now, they have 14 therapists treating a total of 120 clients.

“I’m in this field because I understand the challenges our clients have been facing,” Marquez said. “The biggest thing is making sure we still meet the mission and give 100 percent, but I’m also taking care of myself.” 

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused an increase in suicide rates all over the world. In Japan, more people died from suicide than COVID-19 in the month of October. Regan Hovey, an associate professional clinical counselor, attributed the spike in anxiety and suicide rates to people not knowing how to manage stress. 

“There’s kind of been that perfect storm; the coping that people typically use has been upended,” Hovey said. “Not only that, but people are losing their jobs as well.”

The pandemic has hit young adults between the age of 18 to 24 particularly hard, who according to statistics reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have seen a 14.8% increase in suicidal thoughts since the pandemic’s inception. Marquez said the Straight Talk Clinic has seen a corresponding increase in young clients needing support. 

“A lot of people are feeling like these are supposed to be the best times of their lives, but they’re not able to get the connections they usually would with school,” Marquez said. “They were seeing what the expectations were going to be of their lives, (feeling) like all of that got blindsided.”

The overall lack of in-person instruction and socialization has contributed to feelings of isolation in Chapman students. Sophomore psychology major Alexa Espana, who lives in an apartment complex neighboring Chapman’s main campus, said that not being able to go to classes or visit friends has been taxing on her motivation and mental health.

“It’s the best part about going to school: walking on campus, seeing your friends and having the social aspect of it,” Espana said. “It’s hard to be mainly in your apartment on your screen, not seeing all your friends.”

While that college experience may not be ideal, Espana, who wants to work as a therapist, said that the spike in interest in therapy during the pandemic has made her optimistic about her individual future. 

“Therapy is something that will always be needed. It’s a job that can’t be taken over by a machine,” Espana said. “Right now, mental health issues are through the roof and there will always be things that go on in the world that people will need help with.”

However, while teletherapy may be the only safe option, Hovey said some patients struggle with not having the physical, in-person space to discuss personal matters with someone. 

“Typically, people have this opportunity to come in the office, collect themselves and in the closing of the session, they get to physically leave the office and leave whatever they need to leave in the therapy room,” Hovey said. “Now, it’s this abrupt thing. They talk about all this stuff, then jump right back into their lives.”

Nothing will be perfect, but Hovey advised that there are many resources available for those combatting stress, particularly Chapman students. Odegaard encouraged students to reach out for help and promoted compassion among peers. 

“Odds are, if you're struggling, someone else is struggling too,” Odegaard said. “The thing college students need to realize is that calling someone at 3 a.m. is not a burden. It’s actually a gift. It gives someone an opportunity to help.”