I imagine most of us have settled into what seems to be the constantly changing new normal while also grappling with the fact that the old normal isn't coming back. Canada's response to the pandemic has been generally cohesive, and we managed to flatten the curve. I'm grateful for this. It goes without saying that the pandemic has affected us all to varying degrees. We all know somebody, or somebody who knows somebody, who had Covid-19. Some of us even know people who lost loved ones to Covid-19. Most of us have struggled with the mental health fallout of income loss, social isolation, and heightened distress, among other things. And yet, through it all, for the most part, we have managed to overcome incredible odds and find silver linings in the midst of everything. How things continue to unfold for Canada and the world is yet to be seen. 

The reason for this post is to let you know of my decision not to renew my lease for my Toronto office space. As of September 1, 2020, Toronto Relationship Clinic will no longer be located at 1920 Yonge Street in Toronto. The transition to telehealth, initially considered to be temporary, will be the way forward for the foreseeable future. I do not believe it is safe enough for us to return to business as usual. While Ontario is moving through our phased reopening plan in a promising way, the facts remain that there is still no cure and no vaccine, and scientists and researchers are still learning about this virus and how Covid-19 affects people of all ages and what the implications of infection are over the course of time. If and when it is safe to return to in-person sessions, I will reconsider my options for office space at that time. The following are a few of the many resources I reviewed before arriving at this decision:

• Thousands Who Got COVID-19 in March Are Still Sick

• Understanding SARS-CoV-2-related multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children

• COVID-19 Can Last For Months: Thousands Struggle With Virus: Short Wave

• Want To See Your Therapist In-Person Mid-Pandemic? Think Again

While I am fully aware of the fact that the situation in Canada is far better than the crisis unfolding with our neighbour to the South, I do not want to prematurely assume that we are out of the woods and will continue to operate with caution. Furthermore, the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW) advises that services be provided by electronic means where possible. The Canadian Association of Marriage and Family Therapy (CAMFT) provides similar advice with an extensive checklist to follow should providers have no choice but to return to in-person sessions. Upon review of suggested guidelines and personal reflection, I am not convinced that the benefits outweigh the risks of returning to in-person sessions at this time. 

If you have carried on your work with me online over the past few months or just started your work with me in the past few months, this comes as less of a surprise and you're probably unphased by the shift. However, I also understand that this might come as disappointing news to some of you who were waiting for in-person sessions to start back up again. I am sorry about this and have mixed feelings about it myself. I never saw myself as an online therapist, and yet, the current climate has forced me to rethink my assumptions. I cannot, in good conscience, go back to in-person sessions given all of the unknowns, the potential for a second wave, and a number of legal and ethical concerns that arise if I were to return to in-person sessions before it was reasonably safe to do so. 

In my experience, other than technical difficulties from time to time, most of my clients would agree that the medium has not limited the growth, healing, recovery, and progress that we have been able to achieve in our work together. I've met with several of you in your car, at a secluded spot in a park, at your cottage, on a quiet sidewalk, in your office, on your couch, in your bedroom, backyard, and kitchen--and we've managed to do great work together. Everything from couple and family therapy, forensic psychotherapy, and Brainspotting has been effectively and conveniently done online over video.  

In light of the above:

• If you were waiting for in-person sessions to start again but are willing to now restart your work online, please reach out to me by email and we can get you booked in for an appointment. 

• If you are in a good place and no longer seeking therapy or if you have started with a new therapist in the interim and would like me to close your file, please let me know by email. Alternatively, if I haven't heard from you by September 1st, I will go ahead and close your file.

• If you would like for me to make a referral to another therapist offering in-person sessions, please let me know by email, and we can begin the process of transitioning your care to another qualified professional.

With respect to the last two bullet points, please know that I'm grateful to have had the opportunity to work with you for a brief time and wish you joy and peace in abundance going forward.   

If you have any questions, concerns, or need to connect with me, please feel free to reach out by phone or email. Be well, stay safe, check-in on your loved ones, and be gentle with yourself. 

All my best,

Benita Joy