March 15, 2020
Dear Valued Client;
Amidst the widespread concern in our community about the Coronavirus (COVID-19), and we want to reiterate our commitment that your health is our top priority at Mindful Directions Counseling Center.
In a time of increasing uncertainty over the growing number of infected cases around the world, we encourage you to take responsibility for yourself and your family. It’s important to take a proactive approach to minimize exposure.
- If you’ve recently been in any airport, please wait 14 days before coming in for an appointment.
- If you or someone close to you has recently traveled to or from Iran, South Korea, China, or Italy, we insist you postpone booking an appointment until further notice. If this applies to you, please inform me via email, and I’ll put you on a dedicated wait-list for an appointment.
- If you’re exhibiting symptoms of respiratory illness, I urge you to stay home, take care of yourself, and seek medical help when appropriate.
I assure you that our clinicians are taking all the necessary steps to maintain safe practices standards by making sure after every session, that our offices are thoroughly cleaned and disinfected. We are also working to provide safe, HIPPA compliant telehealth services as an appropriate alternative to in office sessions. Research has shown that telehealth can be just as effective as in-person appointments, so we can continue your care without interruption. If you're interested, let me know and I'll make the necessary arrangements.
For more detailed information, please refer to the CDC’s dedicated 2019-ncov website for additional information, and maintain awareness by checking the official communications from the Centers for Disease Control and World Health Organization
On a personal note, I wanted to share an experience that provided some insight as we embark into a new era that is quickly spreading through the world and creating significant changes to our lifestyle. Much like the rest our of our community, I anxiously went to the grocery store yesterday to stock up for the upcoming weeks. I have two teenagers at home, which means that A LOT of food will be consumed. As I was getting all sorts of snacks, I paused for a second and recognized the chaos around me. I watched as people shopped in panic, wearing gloves, masks, raising concerns about what this meant for them and their families. I also took a look at my cart, and felt incredibly grateful for the ability to provide this for my family. I thought about the thousands of families that will be affected by social distancing, by not working, by fear, and then, I thought about my clients who already struggle with isolation, and thought about how this will impact their lives. I realized the profound impact that this experience will have on us all. So, as we approach this new time in our society, I urge you to mindfully stop and count your blessings. This will be challenging as we learn about how to handle this pandemic. But we are not powerless, so here are some tips to manage our anxieties moving forward:
- Stay informed, but limit news channels, DO NOT let it consume you. Set boundaries on how much you can tolerate
- Stay active- (Read a book, listen to music, meditate, stay connected with others via email, Facetime, etc)
- Watch your negative thoughts, and create a paradigm shift, STAY POSITIVE AND KIND
- Go for a short walk around your neighborhood
- Practice good self-care- (pick up a hobby, eat healthy, stay hydrated, get enough sleep, no drugs or alcohol, continue to take your medications as prescribed)
- Reach out when needed- (There are a lot of resources available to help you through this difficult time, if interested please reach out to any of our clinicians for assistance)
- Lastly, Wash your hands and practice good hygiene
We are here for you, and if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us. We wish you and your families health and kindness.
Best Regards,
Fatima Dahab
Owner and Founder of
Mindful Directions Counseling Center