TEXAS – A year of isolation and uncertainty has taken a toll on the mental health of many, and therapists are seeing a rise in the number of people seeking out their guidance.
According to an American Psychological Association poll of more than 1,700 psychologists published in November 2020, 30% were seeing more patients overall since the onset of COVID-19, with 74% sharing they were seeing more clients with anxiety disorders compared to before the pandemic.
Jeremy Fusco, a social worker and U.S. Air Force veteran, says he’s seeing this trend among those he’s counseling as well.
As a licensed clinical social worker, he’s passionate about providing mental health counseling to address the needs of those experiencing moral injury, PTSD, traumatic brain injuries, adjustment, depression, anxiety, and relationship dynamics, just to name a few.
In 2019 he founded Mind Above, an outpatient mental health therapy practice operated out of his office in downtown Dallas.
When the pandemic made in-person visits far and few between, he was worried it would take a toll on his new practice. Like many therapists he adapted with the times by taking his practice online.
He outfitted his office with multiple monitors, a studio-quality microphone, and a high-definition camera to make his online sessions the best they can be.
“When people come online to see me, I want them to actually feel that they’re as close as they can to the real thing,” said Fusco.
In 2020, a study by the CDC showed 40% of adults in America had been struggling with mental health issues due to stress caused by pandemic-related issues.
“Sometimes we’ll have people during the pandemic that identify a lot with ambiguity and apathy,” said Fusco as he explained how many can become complacent with their mental distress. “Yet you can tell they want more.”
More recently he said the stress induced by February's winter storm has had Texans turning to their therapists.
Fusco said taking care of your mental health is now more accessible with many therapists offering affordable online counseling sessions. He prefers seeing his clients in person, but believes online sessions can be just as effective.
“Some people were afraid of [online sessions] or ambivalent of it at first,” he said.
Many of his clients felt it wouldn’t be the same as seeing Fusco in person.
“Now they enjoy it greatly because they don’t have to commute to see me,” he said.
Fusco believes strongly in the power of speaking with a professional about the issues that may be causing stress because he’s benefited from therapy himself. He wants people to know they don’t have to live in discomfort and hopes the recent interest in therapy continues to normalize his practice.
“If you’re feeling stress and duress, then it’s time to get seen,” said Fusco. “A lot of therapist like myself will do free online initial sessions where we offer 10- or 15-minute intro calls, so you can connect face-to-face and actually speak to someone directly and ask them your questions.”
In addition to being the owner and a psychotherapist at Mind Above, Fusco serves as the chief executive officer and co-founder of Set|Ready a 501(c)(3) non-profit.
Set|Ready provides support to active military, veterans, and military spouses transitioning to the civilian workforce to deliver “the how-to from those who do.”
He provides support to include mentoring, networking, and technology integration.
In April of 2020, during the height of the pandemic, Fusco also launched his Framed Mind Podcast, which is available on all major providers.
In the current 10 episodes, he dives into real-world ideas, concerns, and ways to adapt your thinking.
“Everyday life with honest discussion from people who seek out a positive way forward,” said Fusco.
In his most recent episode, titled, “Toxic Perfectionism Guide - What is it & how to survive,” he explains how to “identify signs of perfectionism that are concerning and learn ways to identify ways to be good with good enough.”
If you have an interesting story or an issue you’d like to see covered, let us know about it. Share your ideas with DFW Reporter Lupe Zapata: Lupe.Zapata@Charter.com