I Was a COVID Frontline Worker

I remember 2020 vividly, just like most people around the world do–the year the SARS-CoV-2 hopped aboard a bunch of hosts and took airplanes to just about every corner of the planet where humans reside.

Just like most people, I had a life and plans. I was fortunate to have meaningful work as a psychotherapist, friends and family who I loved, and had become an empty-nester about 6 months prior. I was disoriented and missed my kids, but I was also pleased and excited with my newfound freedom.

Also like most, I was shocked and afraid when the world shut down and we were told this virus could kill us. But I had a job to do, and without pause I reached out to my patients and told them I would continue to be available to see them virtually. I had had several patients in the past that I had seen virtually for various reasons, so it seemed like a couple of weeks (who knew?) seeing everyone virtually could be just fine. My practice rapidly grew to three times its size over the next couple of months. Many former patients were reaching out to me to return to therapy and many others were seeking support. Many more than I could take.

As they should be. It was a scary, overwhelming, shocking, time. Family members who were used to spending much of their life apart from each other were suddenly forced to be together all day, every day. While working and…