The End of Diabetes: The Eat to Live Plan to Prevent and Reverse Diabetes

This content originally appeared on Beyond Type 1. Republished with permission.

By Mark Heyman, PhD, CDE

Due to the confusion and isolation the world is undergoing as a result of COVID-19, countless folks are now in need of virtual appointments with mental health providers. And as mental health providers transition to working with clients virtually, many individuals remain unsure about how conducive remote therapy sessions will be for them. Dr. Mark Heyman addressed some of the concerns regarding telehealth and the potential for impact on mental health.

A lot of people are seeking mental health cure for the 1st time – what tips do you have for someone seeking mental health support for the 1st time now that we’re primarily doing so on line?  

Seeking on line mental health treatment for the first time may seem a little scary. After all, you are meeting a therapist – who is a complete stranger – over video. Here are a couple of tips to make your first video appointment more comfortable:

• Fill out and return any paperwork to your therapist before your appointment.
• Make sure you have a private, quiet place where you will not be interrupted or distracted.
• Turn off notifications on your computer, or if you are using your phone, put it on ‘Do Not Disturb’
• Be prepared for the video technology to not work perfectly – even the best systems don’t always work as planned.
• Write down the reasons why you are seeking therapy at this time; common reasons are that you are having symptoms (e.g., anxiety, depressed mood), something has happened that you desire to talk about (e.g., you lost your job or ended a relationship), or you are having a hard time doing things in life that are important to you (e.g., managing diabetes, working, going to school).
• Write down any questions that you have for your therapist. For example, you may want to ask them what treatment will involve, how long it might last, what kind of experience do they have working with people with issues similar to yours, and what do they be aware of about diabetes. Ask whatever is on your mind – no question should be off the table.
• Expect the first part of the session to be a little bit awkward, but know that after a few minutes, it will become more comfortable.

How do you (or any mental health provider) approach telehealth visits with new clients? What does the first conversation look like? 

The first session with a new telehealth client is really no varied than the first session with someone I am seeing in my office. It is about getting to know them and why they are seeking treatment. I have a series of questions that I use to guide the discussion. For example, I start out by asking about what brings them to therapy at this time. Because I only see people with diabetes, I also ask about their history with diabetes and how things are going with diabetes right now. I want to know about their relationships with family and friends, how they spend their time and what they do for fun. I also always ask about their goals for therapy. What do they hope will be different when they are done? After I learn about the person, I will tell them about how I work and the things I think I can do to aid them. Also, if I do not have the expertise to help them, I will let the individual know and help them find someone who does. Throughout the session, I am always unlock to answer any questions the person has.

What about clients who are moving to telehealth from in-person? How does that change the active?  

Though I’ve been doing telehealth for five years, over the past month, I have moved my entire practice online. Honestly, it has not changed the dynamic much at all. I think for most people, seeing me over video instead of in-person does take a little bit of getting used to, but once that happens, treatment continues without missing a beat. The only difference is that I get to see people in their homes and get a window into their natural environment.

One group where the dynamic is a bit different in-person vs. online is teenagers. I find that it is harder for teens to stay engaged online than it is when they are sitting in my office.

In your view, what are some pros and cons of remote therapy?

Pros:

• No need to commute to a therapist’s office
• More flexible scheduling
• The ability to find a therapist that has experience with what you are struggling with (e.g., diabetes) if there are none in your area

Cons: 

• For some people, the act of leaving their house and going to a therapist’s office is an important part of treatment (e.g., someone who is depressed)
• It is easier to avoid engaging in therapy online
• It is more difficult to see non-verbal cues
• Insurance does not always cover telehealth (though since COVID-19, that is changing fast)
• State laws require that the therapist be licensed in the state where the client is physically located

What services or online services do you recommend, if any? 

Right now, almost all therapists have moved their practices online, so looking for telehealth services is no different than looking for a therapist in-person. You want to make sure the therapist you are seeing has experience with the issue you are seeking therapy for. Some great resources for seeing therapists are Psychology Today or if you are looking for a provider who specializes in diabetes, the ADA/APA Mental Health Provider Directory is a great resource. I also wrote an article awhile back on telemental health that is diabetes-specific.

Diabetes Daily

The End of Diabetes: The Eat to Live Plan to Prevent and Reverse Diabetes