• OUR BLOG

    Thoughts and insights from the Compass team

    March 1, 2021
    Public tantrums can be a parent’s worst nightmare. You’re not alone. Here are a few tips to prevent tantrums in public, as well as what to do when they happen: 1) Keep your child[ren] informed. Tantrums are often caused when the child feels overwhelmed or confused. They may wonder why they have...
    Life comes with an infinite number of “what-ifs”; and, with so many things that are out of our control, people often spend far too much time imagining the worst case scenario. While this may not seem like a big deal in the short-term, overthinking is a real problem that can increase stress and...
    Taking a moment to focus on your breathing is a great way to counteract the amygdala response (the fight, flight or freeze response) in the brain. When we are triggered by stress, fear, or anxiety, the amygdala response is activated. A sure-fire way to reduce stress and experience an overall...
  • Resources

  •  

    Here are some wonderful online resources:

     

    Best of Parenting

    http://www.bestofparenting.com/

     

    Family Education

    https://www.familyeducation.com/

     

    The National Parenting Center

    http://www.tnpc.com/

     

    Zero to Three

    https://www.zerotothree.org/

     

    Kids Health

    https://kidshealth.org/

     

    Common Sense Media

    https://www.commonsensemedia.org/

     

    Empowering Parents

    https://www.empoweringparents.com/resources/

     

    Suicide Prevention Lifeline

    https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/

     

    Autism Speaks

    https://www.autismspeaks.org/what-autism

  • WHAT IS TELEHEALTH?

    Telehealth technology allows us to communicate remotely with medical and mental health providers—a valuable resource! This technology allows us to “meet” with our providers on a virtual platform from the comfort of our own homes. Despite telehealth’s many redeeming qualities, the idea of a video chat or phone call with a professional may spark anxiety for clients.

    Suggestions to to prepare for use of a telehealth platform:

     

    -Explore your provider’s telehealth system on your own before your next session.

     

    -Visit the website for your provider’s virtual sessions. Many sites offer written and video instructions for
    how to access the telehealth portal for your appointments—as well as guidance on how to use the
    features of their software. Zoom and Doxy.me are examples of platforms your provider may use to
    meet with you virtually.

     

    -Try a video chat or a phone call with a close friend or family member.

    -Consider increasing your comfort level by having video calls with your friends, family or colleagues.


    -Sometimes how we see ourselves on camera can be distracting, it helps to become familiar with this
    experience while interacting with someone we know and trust.


    -Perhaps the pressure of talking for forty-five minutes or an hour on a video call sounds intimidating, but
    a 5 minute test call may feel more manageable. Your provider can walk you through the features of
    your telehealth platform while you get acquainted with seeing him or her on camera. This is an
    opportunity to test out the different options you may have for video or audio settings, too!


    -Make adjustments during a call if you begin to feel anxious.

    It’s possible to customize your virtual session experience, including camera and microphone settings.

    You can turn off your camera or focus it on an object in the room if you become uncomfortable with
    seeing yourself or being seen by your provider. There are also options to mute your microphone, or to
    have a meeting with audio-only.

    -Be kind to yourself if you feel anxious, be proud of yourself for trying something new. We can experience a lot of satisfaction when we try and succeed in a new experience. Anxiety is often an unwelcome intrusion to meeting our personal and social goals. Set small goals for yourself, start with something simple and take little steps. Soon you’ll master telehealth and your anxiety.

    DOES INSURANCE COVER TELEHEATH?

    While BCBS and Tufts Commercial Plans often cover telehealth services, coverage must first be confirmed by the subscriber. This can be achieved by placing a phone call to their respective insurance carrier.