Highland psychotherapist offers specific suggestions for coping with COVID-19 pandemic

The future of the world is now fraught with fear which many have expressed is beyond anything they have ever experienced. Fear is an immobilizing emotion that can affect all facets of a person’s life.

The combined events around the country, specifically related to coronavirus, can cause even the happiest, most well-adjusted person to get down in the dumps.

Judy Chaney, Ph. D. in Highland, is one of several qualified experienced therapists available in Highland who have the ability to share coping skills in uncertain times.

Judy was born April 17, 1945. An only child born to Frank and Eileen Lorton In St. Louis, Judy loved her grandfather’s horses and often participated in shows. She had a bevy of friends, which included more guys than gals, and they grew up together and referred to themselves as “The Crew.” That friendship, which began in elementary school in Dupo, continued through high school.

During middle school she observed a sports enthusiast who, according to Judy, was considered a sports legend in Dupo due to his basketball and baseball skills. His name was Don Chaney. Back in those days she said he “just kinda shooed me away.” Several years later he began to notice her and they officially met in front of Highland High School’s trophy case. Judy graduated in 1963 and took special interest in science and history.

“I was attracted to Don because he was different inasmuch he was engaging, humorous, smart and modest,” recalls Judy. “We dated for five years and then married on September 4, 1965.”

Always having wanted to be a nurse, Judy attended McKendree University and University of St. Louis Missouri and ultimately earned her nursing degree and worked for St. Louis County Hospital in the emergency department because she was too young to serve in the psychiatric area. But she knew her first passion was in the science of the brain.

Don was completing medical school when he was drafted into the U.S. Army and deployed to Korea. By then their first son, Chris, had been born. Judy’s grandmother suggested she and Chris should relocate to Highland during Don’s absence and she went to work for St. Joseph’s Hospital. After Don’s return, he became a family practitioner and is now retired.

Pursuing her career

Still desirous of becoming a psychotherapist, Judy later attended McKendree and Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and studied under Martha Welch, her mentor, who was the first nurse scientist. Judy, now with her master’s degree, taught clinical research at SIUE for the next nine years. Her mentor then encouraged Judy to go into private practice.

After having received her doctorate, she did exactly that and now shares an office building with Gail Taylor, LPC, Janet Dobbs, M.Ed., LPC, and Larry Boehler, PhD, LMFT, LCPC. Collectively their specialties could assist anyone experiencing emotional distress, marital and adolescent issues, or just plain coping with life and day-to-day stressors.

But what about the stigma still often associated with seeking professional help from a therapist? Unfortunately, that thinking process is still alive and well with many silently suffering for fear someone they know will find out they sought counseling.

Judy is adamant the “brain is an organ, just like any other part of your body. Life isn’t easy,” said Judy, “and when we encounter difficulties, it’s very helpful to be able to vent to someone. And the only way anyone will ever know you were here, would be if you told them.”

Tips from the CDC

The Center for Disease Control listed some guidelines for those feeling the pressure from worrying about current concerns:

• Know if you’re sick and consult a professional before trying any self-treatment.
• Know where and how to get treatment and other support services and resources, including counseling or therapy, in person or through telehealth services.
• Take care of your emotional health. Taking care of your emotional health will help you think clearly and react to the urgent needs to protect yourself and your family
• Take breaks from watching, reading, or listening to news stories, including those on social media. Hearing about the pandemic repeatedly can be upsetting.
• Take care of your body by taking deep breaths. And try stretching or meditating. Try to eat healthy, well-balanced meals, exercise regularly, get plenty of sleep, and avoid excessive alcohol use and drugs.
• Make time to unwind; try to do some other activities you enjoy.
• Connect with others. Talk with people you trust about your concerns and how you were feeling.
• Connect with your community or faith-based organizations. While social distancing measures are in place, consider connecting online, through social media or by phone or mail.”

Other admonition from CDC states “stress during an infectious disease outbreak can sometimes cause fear and worry about your own health and the health of your loved ones, your financial situation or job, loss of support services you rely on, changes in sleep or eating patterns, difficulty sleeping or concentrating, worsening of chronic health problems, worsening of mental health conditions, and increased use of tobacco and or other substances.”

More ways to deal with pandemic

Oftentimes, whether dealing with a pandemic or not, a person can experience a feeling of something is wrong, but be unable to identify the source for the anxiety. Judy said, “there are a variety of ways we receive subtle cues that something in our life is amiss, but we just can’t identify it. And, in general, we all have an underlying anxiety that can sometimes make us edgy.“

Among Judy’s suggestions for making it through this novel pandemic is to “turn off the television, call friends, write a list of what you are thankful for, do good things for other people, talk walks, exercise or take up a hobby. If you’re having difficulty sleeping, be sure that you turn off all electronica devices at least 45 minutes before you retire. Read something comforting or spiritual.”

Judy and Don are the parents of three adult sons, Chris, Ryan and Mark.

For assistance or additional information, counselors are available by calling 618-654-5990.