CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) RESOURCE CENTER Read More
Add To Favorites

Couples facing new challenges, pressure from COVID-19

Lubbock Avalanche-Journal - 6/15/2020

Businesses and restaurants are reopening and while life seems like it's getting close to normal, the effects the coronavirus had on mental health and relationships are still being felt by many.

Since March 17, there have been about 328 filings for divorce in Lubbock. This was around the same week the shutdown began, though some counselors don't think the cause is the coronavirus itself, but rather the stresses it made worse.

Jaclyn Cravens, a licensed family therapist in Lubbock, likened the pandemic to a natural disaster in terms of the toll it's taken on mental health.

"There are increased levels of stress and anxiety, greater rates of depression, and those concerns take a toll on individuals and their relationship," Cravens explained. "Economically, we're facing a lot of hardships so partners may be worried about that as well."

Cravens added, "It's a perfect storm that's putting a lot of couples under an immense amount of stress, without any outlets, such as gyms or theaters, to take care of themselves."

Paired with having to make new routines and the uncertainty of how much longer life will continue this way, Cravens said she could see how it can affect the quality of relationships.

Cravens has had clients continue to work on improving their relationships too through telehealth services, however, and said she's happy to see that during these hard times.

"It's great to see couples have the desire to work through the hard parts; that's kind of what marriage is," said Cravens. "It's two people in a constant state of change, so being committed to doing the hard work that comes with therapy, I have the utmost respect for that."

Gregory Derderian has been a licensed marriage and family therapist for more than 10 years and is optimistic people will work for healthy relationships. He has seen the ripple effects of the virus though, especially in terms of how people can afford therapy during financial hardships.

"The sad part is because a lot of people are having financial difficulties, I have had some people stop coming either because they can't afford it or have had their insurance cut off," said Derderian. "I'm trying my best to work with people, but there are limitations, unfortunately."

Derderian has been seeing clients through telehealth services and in-person, as he followed the Lubbock Health Department's regulations on how to safely be open since not all his clients want to try telehealth.

The two types of therapy are equal when it comes to how clients seek care.

"Research has shown that telehealth is equally as effective as in-person therapy," said Derderian. "In a time like this, it's better than nothing. Unfortunately, where I find the one negative is people tend to not be as consistent with it. So I think our routines have gotten out of order in this COVID time, and that's caused some people to fall off their therapy routines."

There have been some silver linings emerge from therapy during the coronavirus.

Derderian has seen a few insurance companies cover copays so people aren't limited in accessing care.

Cravens said she has seen a stronger desire from couples to work it out and take advantage of any extra time the shutdowns have given them.

"Even though there's terrible things associated with the pandemic and we don't want anyone going through them," said Cravens, "there has been value to this process because of added time together. Some couples are feeling more connected than they did prior to the pandemic, and they're appreciating the time they're having."

___

(c)2020 the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal (Lubbock, Texas)

Visit the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal (Lubbock, Texas) at www.lubbockonline.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.