COVID-19 RESOURCES

I am here to support you during the Coronavirus.  Here’s a list of some resources available to you…

Me!

  • During the COVID-19 Pandemic, I’m offering telehealth sessions through the SimplePractice platform which makes it easy for clients to use a phone, laptop, or tablet to attend therapy while practicing social distancing. Here is the link to the client portal: https://amariah-love.clientsecure.me
  • While Covid-19 creates economic uncertainty and instability for millions, I am working with those in financial need to provide rates that are affordable when my standard rate is not. Please reach out if you are having difficulty affording your rate.
  • Through your SimplePractice client portal, you have access to secure messaging with me. It is much more secure than texting and I am now offering five to ten minutes of free support through this platform. Feel free to send me a message if you are in need of support outside of your therapy session. I will do my best to respond as quickly as possible. 

Books: 

  • Dare: The New Way to End Anxiety and Stop Panic Attacks, by Barry McDonagh    
  • Coping with Anxiety: Ten Simple Ways to Relieve Anxiety, Fear, and Worry, by Edmund J. Bourne PhD (Author), Lorna Garano (Author)
  • Man’s Search for Meaning, by Viktor E. Frankl, Simon Vance, et al.  
  • Radical Acceptance by Tara Brach
  • Radical Compassion  by Tara Brach

Free E-course: 

Guided Imagery and Meditation

  • Belleruth Naparstek has scientifically researched guided imagery meditation. She has several works that are great for helping with a myriad of mental health issues. I suggest you purchase her Anxiety & Panic Audio. Here’s the link: Guided Meditations To Help With Anxiety & Panic
  • I highly recommend the Calm app for guided meditations, music for meditation, sleep stories and calming sounds for sleep, and more. I use this app every single day and it has made a world of difference for my insomnia: www.calm.com

Helpful Reading:

Emergency Support

If you, or someone you care about, are feeling overwhelmed with emotions like sadness, depression, or anxiety, or feel like you want to harm yourself or others call

  • National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-8255
  • Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA’s) Disaster Distress Helpline: 1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746. (TTY 1-800-846-8517)
  • Georgia Crisis and Access Line at 1-800-715-4225.

Creating a Home Retreat: Finding Freedom Wherever You Are

  • https://www.tarabrach.com/create-home-retreat/ “The purpose of a retreat is to follow a formal rhythm of practice that allows you to center yourself, tend your body, quiet your mind, see the present circumstances with clarity and freedom, and open your heart. It will take some dedication to do this, and we will show you how to set it up. By choosing to let go of the usual habits of distraction, online time, unnecessary busyness and tasks that can wait, you can make this a beneficial and healing time.”
  • Video of a guided half day retreat:  Free Half-Day Home Mindfulness Retreat with Jack Kornfield and Tara Brach

COVID-19 Risk Mitigation Guidelines:

  • As we enter into another month of social distancing, many of us are realizing that we need to find sustainable models for physical isolation that take into account our need for human contact. Some folks are forming “pods” with both those already in their household and other households who have been isolating as well and following similar safety protocols. This document is a helpful tool for assessing your own risk tolerance, risk level, and how to negotiate risk mitigation with folks you might be considering coming into contact with (contact that is closer than six feet apart.)

Tracking Accurate COVID-19 Data:

COVID-19 Testing/ Direct Patient Lines for Georgia Residents

Testing is available to all Georgians who request it, whether they have symptoms or not. Individuals wanting to be tested can contact any Georgia public health department to schedule an appointment at a SPOC location convenient to them. Click on the link above for more information.

Some helpful information regarding unemployment in Georgia:

(Written by Krystle Rodriguez, owner of Hodgepodge Coffeehouse in Ormewood park.)

1) If you are immunocompromised, you do not have to return to work. This includes ailments such as asthma. You will be able to receive both state and federal unemployment benefits. You will need a doctor’s note.

2) If you live with someone who is immunocompromised, you do not have to return to work. You will be able to receive both state and federal unemployment benefits. You will need a doctor’s note.

3) If you are and/or live with anyone over the age of sixty, you do not have to return to work. You will be able to receive both state and federal unemployment benefits. I do not know how they plan on verifying who you live with 🤷🏾‍♀️

4) If you have minors in your home and do not have anyone to watch them, you do not have to return to work. You will be able to receive both state and federal unemployment benefits. Once again, I do not know how they plan to verify.

5) This one is a little trickier to explain, but let me try. This is in regards to your employer filing partial unemployment for you:

The Georgia Labor Commissioner was basically told to come up with his own protocol for the $600 weekly benefits in this department. So he came up with the following:

a. Georgia unemployment no longer focuses on hours, just your wages for the week.

b. Georgia’s max for UI (unemployment insurance) is $350 weekly. You may be eligible for less, depending on how long you’ve been employed. Once your employer files for you, you will receive notification online and in the mail about how much your weekly benefits are.

c. The $600 federal weekly benefit is available to anyone who gets a single dollar of UI from Georgia.

d. The labor commissioner has decided that if you make less than $300 + your UI, you will be eligible for unemployment from both state and federal.

e. What does that mean? Imagine your Georgia UI is $300 a week. Now, imagine you go back to work, and you’re making $500 a week. Georgia UI will see that your wages were $500. But $300 + your UI (300) would be $600.

f. SO: The state of Georgia would give you $100 a week, plus you would get the $600 of federal UI.

g. What if we do the equations and the numbers are closer? Say you make $599 in wages, but $300 + your UI (300) is still $600? Then you get $1 from the state of Georgia and $600 from federal for UI

h. Yes, if you are supplemented one single dollar from the state of Georgia, you get the $600 in federal UI.

i. For this, I believe your employer has to file partial unemployment every week. I do it. It takes me roughly fifteen minutes now that the spreadsheet they gave us can now be submitted without any bounce back.

6) For employers, you can still file partial unemployment even if you apply and/or receive the PPP

7) Currently, the $600 in federal UI runs through July. But with another stimulus package looking like it’s coming down the pipes, that may be extended.

*For any additional questions that you may have here is a link to the radio interview with the Georgia Labor Commissioner. Answers to the most pertinent questions regarding unemployment in Georgia in his own words