Question

I agree. It’s harder. That’s our sad reality though

Hope, did your T explain the change to you?

I’m So nervous because this is the morning of the decision.

Ask him for more details

We have a huge spike in Covid cases in the area.

I think I recently read an article about that.

Its required in UK (where you are from) to wear a mask to inpatient or outpatient medical facility. Same as most places in the US. Hope is seeing a psychiatrist (he also provides therapy). So it’s a medical facility. Doctors office. In both your country and most of ours one needs to wear a mask when visiting medical facility regardless if distance could be maintained or not.

I’d ask him if he’d think it’s enough. I am not sure 100% but it might be. It’s not restricting your breathing

It explains change in state guidelines

I think, beyond rules of the state/country, that it really should be up to the T and each of their clients to decide what they're comfortable with. My T, for example, is planning to continue teletherapy for probably at least a couple months, even though our state has remained relatively stable and hasn't had a spike. But I understand his decision, as even if he said I could come into his office for session tomorrow, even masked, I wouldn't feel comfortable yet (but I'm pretty paranoid about Covid and about germs in general). Masks are required in indoor places like stores here, but at restaurants, it's for, say, entering and exiting and going to the bathroom. If seated at a table, then masks can be off (though I think tables still have to be 6 feet apart--I haven't ventured to a restaurant yet), because, I mean, you can't eat or drink with a mask on. Same for dentists and I guess any doctor's visit where they'd have to examine your mouth or nose. My H had an MRI recently, and he had to keep one on during that.

But I don't think it's helpful to be critical of T's or clients who meet in person, mask or no mask, both because it's an individual decision and because the rates vary so much around the country and world. My T has said there are guidelines issued by his professional organization (American Psychological Association) saying what clinicians should to do if they opt for in-person sessions, with sanitizing, mask wearing, waivers to be signed by clients, etc. (though I think they're optional)--I imagine LCSWs and LPCs (and other types of T's) would have guidance, too. Plus whatever guidance is issued by the state or country.

Back to your question, Hope--would an option be to do in-person with the mask, then if the mask becomes too uncomfortable, you could go out to your car (or stand in the parking lot) and finish the session by phone?

This is more complicated than individual decision-making. What individuals decide about their personal preference impacts on everyone else. Remote sessions are not ideal, but they are risk-free and the safety of all overrides the preference of an individual at this time.

I am critical of therapists and clients who meet in person in the same way as I am critical of parents who not vaccinate their children or people who drink and drive.

Hope, if there has been an increase in cases in your area and new, stricter measures are being introduced this indicates that public health is increasingly compromised. I would be asking myself what is the most effective way for me to mitigate risk to myself and those I love. I would work with telehealth because whilst it might be distracting, it is not deadly.

It’s not up to the t and clients how to conduct sessions during covid, especially if sessions are in a clinic. Not only therapist could be fined for not following guidelines, he could get the whole clinic in trouble and it’s also unethical to not follow guidelines.

In addition hope sees a psychiatrist who also does therapy. He isn’t a clinician. He is a medical doctor. It’s a medical office.

No, it’s not an individual decision between doctors and patients. Doctor and medical facility establishes rules according to the guidelines.

No, not an individual decision at all

I didn’t say it was universally correct, but that is the guidance where I live. Masks have only just been made mandatory on public transport. Thanks, I am aware I am in the UK. Of course everyone can have their own opinions and weigh up their own personal risks. I had to wear a mask when I attended a medical facility last week for an antibody test, no problem. I wear one in all shops I go in. My therapists office is not a public space, it’s a private room.

I hope OP can find a nice breathable mask to wear and attend therapy soon. Sorry if I have distracted from your point, I didn’t mean to.

Exactly, especially when the “individual” decision can end up killing someone else.

Here is another source for cotton masks that I have found work for me with severe asthma and allergies: The Sustainable Mask
– Christy Dawn. They are not as heavy weight a fabric and I managed to wear one non-stop for 6 hours last Friday as I was in airports and flying. I keep several on me at all times and change them out as they start feeling like they are accumulating moisture from breathing. I'm going to be teaching in a few weeks - 9 hours a day in masks - I don't like it, but I wear them for the safety of those around me.

I meant in the sense of, if the clinic is allowed to be open, then it's partly up to the T. Also, medical offices are open where I am. The one my H went to for an injury recently is very cautious, having people wait in the parking lot until their doctor is ready for them, everyone wearing masks. So I don't see how a psychiatrist being a medical office is any different? The psychiatrist I see is in an office with other therapists (only seeing her remotely now), so I don't know if that makes it a therapist or medical office?

My T is a solo practitioner. And he holds a lease on an office facility that he rents out to other practitioners. So, in this case, it is in fact his decision. And what about T's who see clients in their homes?

Please know, I'm not saying that all T's should resume in-person sessions. Not in the slightest (and, as I said, mine isn't). But if, say, a clinic or office is allowed to open according to the state or country, and they follow safety guidelines, they aren't breaking any laws.

I’ll throw in my 2 cents. My T is seeing clients in person currently. Today will be week 3 back in the office. My T said that mask wearing is up to the client. He’ll wear a mask if the client chooses to, but won’t if the client doesn’t. I’ve already had COVID, so while I wear masks out in public as a show of respect, I don’t have the same health concerns as many others, so I choose not to wear a mask in session. I can’t speak for my Ts decision, because that’s his.

In the U.S., masks are required by law. In my state, if one is caught without a mask it is either one year in prison or a $5,000 penalty.