Compiled psychological resources for coping with COVID-19

Posts I’ve written that some might find helpful:

• “Self-honesty, pt. 2: ‘Prepping’ versus pretending to ‘prep’” (March 12, 2020)
• “A brief guide to coping with anger in the context of COVID-19” (April 1, 2020)

Platforms for finding an online therapist:

• If you live in New York, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Washington DC, Illinois, Washington State, Connecticut, or California, I highly recommend searching on this platform for a qualified online therapist who meets your needs: https://zencare.co/page/online-therapists . I’ve found that this site provides a more comprehensive set of search criteria, and a more informative profile about each therapist (including a short video introduction), than do the more traditional therapist search sites, like Psychology Today.
• I can’t vouch for the quality of this platform (or the providers it employs), but it’s among the more commercially established and popular online therapy platforms, and it offers “unlimited video conferencing and messaging” with your therapist: https://www.talkspace.com/
• This page ranks and lists the pro’s and con’s of this and other online therapy platforms: https://www.verywellmind.com/best-online-therapy-4691206

Resources created or compiled by others:

Note: I have not individually vetted each of these resources (except where otherwise indicated), though they generally come from reputable colleagues and/or are based in well-established therapeutic techniques and principles. Nonetheless, as with everything, I encourage you to use your own judgment and consider your own individual context when deciding whether and how each recommendation applies to you.

• An extensive and diverse list of coping resources put together by fellow clinical psychologist Dr. Sarah Victor, with very helpful titles and links for each one: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1B5TGoyQFAvqz0ZVnaJPGPbIFPiIvv4BoVr1flLnITRg/htmlview#gid=0
• Great New York Times article on “making stress work for you” during the crisis, by psychologists Kari Leibowitz and Alia Crum: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/01/well/mind/coronavirus-stress-management-anxiety-psychology.html
• A short list of online mental health exercises, apps, and articles, compiled by Dr. Kathryn Gordon: https://kathrynhgordon.com/2020/03/13/online-mental-health-resources/
• Remote Resources to Cope with Social Distancing and Self-Quarantine Amid COVID-19, from CBT/DBT Associates of NYC: https://www.cbtdbtassociates.com/blog/remote-resources-cope-social-distancing-self-quarantine-covid-19-2/
• A self-help guide to coping effectively with the crisis, using principles and strategies from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT):  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1OG58MgC4dR2PxwNhunCoYEaCOHN4TPkq/view
• Mindfulness apps and live classes:
  • Headspace app (free for healthcare workers for the rest of the year)
  • Mindfulness Coach app (developed for veterans with PTSD, but free and useful for anyone wanting a no-nonsense guide to mindfulness practice)
  • Ten Percent Happier’s “Coronavirus Sanity Guide” (with free guided meditations and videos)
  • SkillShare.com is offering free mindfulness and meditation online classes
• Practical advice for dealing with COVID19-related stress and anxiety, from Dr. Bethany Teachman (my former Ph.D. advisor and all-around wonderful human): https://news.virginia.edu/content/expert-offers-practical-advice-manage-your-coronavirus-anxiety?fbclid=IwAR1cvNB_DzjM9q5ZU5lgCJlHXMQG4XcmJFVfIxyvP3vQKkGkER2faOTLTAw
  • And here’s her 10-minute radio interview on the same topic, in case you prefer this format: https://wina.com/podcasts/practical-expert-advice-on-managing-covid-19-anxiety/?fbclid=IwAR35mFEyeRpLoqBu2U3EL8UyJ73kRI4Ys1qHmPCCzWpIvDDqRNcvDaX5e0Q
• The Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapy’s (ABCT’s) statement on coping with COVID19: http://www.abct.org/Home/
• The Anxiety and Depression Association of America’s (ADAA’s) statement on COVID19: https://adaa.org/finding-help/coronavirus-anxiety-helpful-resources
• ADAA’s guide to managing anxiety and isolation during quarantine: https://adaa.org/learn-from-us/from-the-experts/blog-posts/consumer/covid-19-lockdown-guide-how-manage-anxiety-and?_zs=FSVAb&_zl=QlL42
• Finally, from a bit farther off the beaten path: here’s an excerpt from an interview with my good friend Dr. Greg Salmieri—a philosopher with psychological interests—on drawing comfort and inspiration from the creative heroes who are doing great work to get us through this crisis: https://youtu.be/X7TiNDEyIBg