Neurocove Behavioral Health, LLC

 Specialists in psychological assessment, therapy, and counseling for 

anxiety, depression, and trauma throughout Florida. 

coping covid-19 school year

A Helpful Guide for Parents Coping with COVID-19

Dear fellow Parents,

Coping with COVID-19 has been a serious challenge. Let’s face it: 2020 has been an unmitigated dumpster fire.  That’s not a clinical term, but after this year, I’m starting to think it might be. This year has been remarkable for all the wrong reasons. The COVID-19 Pandemic, the recession, layered atop a partisan election year. There’s a lot to be concerned about, and the decision to send children back to school or to pursue virtual education has parents remarkably concerned.

It would seem that absolute disruption of home/life balance and regular routines was insufficient, and parents everywhere are left holding a short stick when it comes to securing their children’s educational needs. For some, parents may elect and feel comfortable sending their children back to school physically. For others, the virtual school is a welcome remedy.

For some parents, the unfortunate reality is that they may not have a choice due to childcare concerns or financial responsibilities. The stress and uncertainty of running a household while maintaining employment and other adult responsibilities have been coming to an increasingly sharp point, and by and large, parents have been put in the middle. There are a lot of strategies that might be helpful when it comes to coping with COVID-19.

coping with covid-19
Photo by Izzy Park on Unsplash

Strategies for parents coping with COVID-19 stress:

1) Accept what you can (and cannot) control.

Acceptance tends to be a loaded word, and we frequently misconstrue acceptance to only mean that something is acceptable. Acceptance, however, also means to acknowledge. The fact is, few if any of us are individually responsible for circumstances caused by current events. Worrying about “what ifs” and “should haves” are not very useful cognitive or emotional exercises. They focus on the past and future when what we’re really trying to deal with is the present. When dealing with the decision whether or not to send children back to school, the past- and future-focused perspectives draw in additional emotions, many of which are uncomfortable and distressing, which makes problem-solving even more difficult than it would be otherwise.

2) Plan based on available information

We are not omnipotent. We cannot decipher the future. What we can do is make decisions based on what we know now recognizing our limitations. What is the school year going to look like at the physical school, and is that something we can tolerate for the immediate future? Utilizing concrete evidence helps us recognize how our thinking relates not only to the situation at hand but also how our thinking relates to our emotional state.

3) Do what is right for you and your family.

You are not your mother, brother, sister, or best friend. The decisions that those make around you are not necessarily the right decisions for you,  and it is entirely possible that the decisions they make are not even options at all given your specific set of circumstances. If you’re considering your options about the upcoming school zone, and you find yourself double-guessing yourself, or feel uneasy with the choice you’ve made, listen to your guy. It’s trying to tell you something.

4) Dedicate time to unwinding.

Mental Health is not something that is protected passively. Coping with COVID-19 is an active process. If you find you’re stressed out or anxious about the school year, dedicate some time to purposeful relaxation exercises. Deep breathing and progressive muscle relaxation take around ten minutes, and can be extremely beneficial at helping you ‘reset’.

5) Limit Worry Time

Worry Management is a real thing. If you find that you’re constantly worried about things, set aside 30-minutes of your day that is dedicated to worrying and problem solving, preferably in a single space within your home or office. This is your time to worry, obsess, and solve. When your 30-minutes is up, break away and return to other tasks. Should you find yourself worrying later in the day or outside your worry time, remind yourself that you have dedicate time to examine those specific concerns.

6) Talk to someone

If you feel like your normal coping strategies are falling short, or that you need some additional assistance, speaking to your doctor or a mental health professional may help.

Dr. Benson Munyan is a Clinical Psychologist licensed in both Florida and Arizona. He is an Assistant Professor of Psychology at the University of Central Florida's College of Medicine and the Director of Neurocove Behavioral Health, LLC. He specializes in the assessment and treatment of anxiety, depression, and trauma-related disorders. Dr. Munyan earned his Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the University of Central Florida. He currently holds clinical privileges at both Neurocove Behavioral Health and the Orlando Veteran’s Affairs Healthcare System. He has also previously published clinical research and articles in peer-reviewed journals including PLoS One and Clinical Case Studies.
Benson Munyan, Ph.D.
coping with death

Coping with Death

Death is a certainty. Coping with death in an adaptive way it is not. The one indisputable human universal is death. We all will have

Read More »
Jessica Candelo LMHC Orlando Therapist

Jessica Candelo, LMHC

Licensed Mental Health Counselor

ABOUT ME

My name is Jessica Candelo, LMHC, but you can call me Jess, if you’d like. I am a Marine Corps veteran and a mom which both play into my experiences and understanding of life. I have experience working with individuals facing anxiety, depression, stress, trauma, insomnia, parenting stress, military related stressors and/or traumas, and addictions. I focus on providing a safe and comfortable environment, paired with evidence-based therapies to suit the needs of my clients and meet their personal goals of recovery and growth. It’s not easy and sometimes we just want to throw in the towel, but that does not have to be the final answer. Together we can work through what you’re experiencing and move toward a place of healing.

OUR FIRST SESSION

I believe that cultivating a healthy and strong therapeutic relationship is very important in the overall process of change. Our first session is geared towards getting to know each other as well as identifying and establishing the needs and focus of the treatment plan moving forward. It is my goal to ensure you feel safe, heard, and understood throughout each session so that a collaborative and well-established treatment plan is enacted.

MY APPROACH

I try to provide a genuine, light-hearted, and humanistic environment to every session. To be honest, I try to make sure every session feels like a normal conversation by utilizing everyday language and rhetoric; I might even through in some humor where appropriate because laughter can often feel like a breath of fresh air. Overall, I want you to feel like you can voice your needs and concerns without fear of judgement all while finding suitable, potential solutions. Life is hard to navigate at times but I’m here to help.

INTERVENTIONS

  • Trauma-Focused
  • Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT)
  • Behavior Modification 
  • Humanistic Therapy
  • Person-Centered Therapy
  • Motivational Interviewing Mindfulness-Based (MBCT)
  • Cognitive Processing (CPT)
  • Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
  • Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

Rachel Creamer, Ph.D.

POSTDOCTORAL FELLOW

ABOUT ME

My name is Dr. Rachel Creamer. I specialize in providing evidenced-based care to those struggling with anxiety, depression, substance use, and trauma. Seeking therapy takes tremendous courage. You are taking the first step toward positive change. We will work together to help you reach a fulfilling and values-driven life. 

OUR FIRST SESSION

The goal of our first session is to better understand what brings you to therapy and to get to know you better. In the first session we will also talk about your goals for treatment and ways to accomplish these goals. We will also focus on learning skills to help you start making positive changes today. 

MY APPROACH

Therapy can bring about great positive change. Fostering a safe and compassionate space for clients is the foundation for allowing growth in therapy. Therapy is collaborative. While I am the expert on evidence-based treatment, you are the expert on you. We will work together on reaching your treatment goals and creating a more gratifying life. 

INTERVENTIONS

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
  • Exposure Therapy
  • Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)
  • Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
  • Couples Therapy (Gottman method)
  • Motivational Interviewing (MI)
Nicholas James Psychologist Orlando Florida

Nicholas James, Ph.D.

LICENSED CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST

ABOUT ME

My name is Nicholas James, Ph.D. I have experience working with individuals facing anxiety, depression, stress, trauma, insomnia, and caregiver strain. I focus on matching evidence-based therapies to the needs of my clients to meet their personal goals of recovery and growth.

OUR FIRST SESSION

I believe that change occurs through personal reflection, cultivating strengths and resources, and incorporating growth into everyday life. It is my goal that each session is collaborative and integrates needs, beliefs, and your background into a person-centered treatment plan.

MY APPROACH

I try to bring a genuine, humanistic atmosphere to every session. My therapeutic approach is centered in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and incorporates additional evidence-based practices to address unique needs that arise during therapy.

INTERVENTIONS

  • Trauma Focused
  • Exposure Response Prevention (ERP)
  • Acceptance & Commitment (ACT)
  • Behavior Modification
  • Humanistic
  • Motivational Interviewing (MI) 
  • Mindfulness-Based (MBCT)
  • Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Benson Munyan Psychologist Orlando Florida

Benson Munyan, PhD, ABPP

LICENSED CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST

ABOUT ME

My name is Dr. Benson Munyan. I am a board-certified clinical psychologist. I specialize in working with those experiencing symptoms of anxiety, depression, and trauma. If you are reading this, there’s a good chance you’re looking for something. Whatever the origin of your story, you are here. There is no time like the present to change our tomorrow.

OUR FIRST SESSION

From our very first session, skills are introduced, demonstrated, and assigned as practice assignments between meetings. I collaboratively set each session agenda with my clients, ensuring we have time for following up since the last session, troubleshooting any problems with skills or homework, and working on new problems or material.

MY APPROACH

Let’s be honest. Sometimes, life is hard. And sometimes, it downright sucks. There, I said it. I believe we should be able to use everyday language in therapy, and that participating in therapy as our most genuine selves empowers us to better understand the challenges we’re facing as well as potential solutions.

INTERVENTIONS

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
  • Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)
  • Trauma-Focused Therapy
  • Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Skip to content