Buckner Counseling Services and The Center for Integrative Counseling and Psychology provides support in the comfort of families' homes
As the orders to stay sheltered at home and to social distance have continued for weeks, the services Buckner offers continue adapting to meet the needs of vulnerable families and children.
“How we deliver services has changed in light of ‘sheltering at home,’ requiring us to adapt to the needs of families,” explained Dr. Amy Curtis, director of counseling for Buckner International. “We are continually looking at what is happening within families, what the parents and children we work with are telling us, and the outcomes and trends that are occurring as a result.”
To offer digital help, Buckner Counseling collaborated with Dr. Brad Schwall, president and CEO of The Center for Integrative Counseling and Psychology, to create videos families and those in need can watch and engage with from the comfort and safety of their home.
Buckner and collaborators are offering videos in English and Spanish on caring for mental health, or helping families manage the challenges they are facing in this season. Videos feature topics such as communication and managing anxiety or depression.
These digital resources offer skills and options to help families reduce stress and increase resilience, as well keep Buckner Family Hope Center coaches connected to families.
Amy recognizes that sheltering at home does not mean safety for many Buckner serves. At first, many counseling participants seemed uncomfortable with adapting to counseling virtually, and for some, they didn’t have the privacy at home to sit through a whole session. Offering videos created a way for participants to be comfortable and to stay connected.
“We noted many of our participants were unable to attend counseling during this time or did not feel comfortable with telehealth or virtual communication," Amy said. "Our participants have many responsibilities and telehealth counseling doesn’t always offer them the privacy to openly discuss their concerns or needs."
In addition to the videos, the Buckner counseling team, as well as the Center of Integrative Counseling and Psychology team, have been offering devotions, online sessions with individuals and recovery groups.
“The videos are just one way we are letting families know we are here and to remind them they are not alone,” she said. The counseling teams are continuing to create new video content to support families and those in need during this time.
If you or your family are in need of support or help, please contact Dr. Amy Curtis at acurtis@buckner.org, and she will connect you with the right resources.
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