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By Tiffany Goodwein

Free trauma counselling for first responders of COVID-19

Mar 21, 2020 | 3:12 PM

MEDICINE HAT – The Psychologist Association of Alberta is ramping up efforts to provide trauma-based counselling to those serving on the front lines of the COVID-19 crisis including healthcare workers, paramedics, and other essential service workers.

Two to three sessions will be provided free of charge to workers and anybody who is impacted by COVID-19, as part of their disaster response network.

The sessions are conducted by a certified trauma psychologist and they provide trauma related support in an immediate fashion.

” I think for a lot of them [ first responders and healthcare workers], they are just trying to stay really calm, they are used to crisis but the unknown again is when does this end,” said psychologist Ana Schlosser.

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In terms of the general public, Scholosser said uncertainty is causing anxiety.

” I think everybody is trying to be safe, they are trying to follow the directives but there is a lot of disagreement I would say around how things should be handled, and I think what is really perpetuating that is a lot of fear and uncertainty. People like to have clarity and it is a very unclear, uncertain time,” she said.

Those looking to access the free sessions are asked to contact the Psychologist Association of Alberta at 1-888-424-0297 or by email paa@paa-ab.ca.

Staff will connect those seeking the free sessions with a certified trauma psychologist in their area.

Sessions are conducted via phone or video to comply with social distancing recommendations by Alberta Health Services.