RENO, Nev. (News 4 & Fox 11) — In order to help local healthcare workers and new parents during this time, Thrive Wellness of Reno has launched two support groups online.
1. COVID-19 Impact Support Group – A free, virtual therapy for first responders and healthcare providers working on the pandemic’s front lines.
- Takes place Tuesdays at 6 p.m.
2. NICU Parent Support Group – A virtual support group for parents with babies in the NICU.
- Takes place Thursdays at 10 a.m.
Owner of Thrive Wellness, Kat Geiger, says she started these groups because she’s seen the increased stress parents & healthcare workers are under.
Healthcare workers are treating patients around the clock and parents with babies in the NICU can only see their children for a very short time each day.
“We wanted to make sure we had a free place they could come to connect with one another. It’s really special and important to connect with other people that understand exactly what it’s like. It’s like a shared trauma in some ways and we wanted to create that forum for them,” said Geiger.
May is also Mental Health Awareness Month.
Even if you’re not a parent or doctor, Geiger says it’s good to take this month to get into a better headspace.
“We are all going through waves of emotions right now. 100 percent of us. It looks a lot like the grief process, we’re grieving our old life and the old normal. I think the best and most loving thing we can do for ourselves and others is practice acceptance around the emotions we’re feeling.”
If you think you would benefit from talking to someone, Geiger says many local therapists are hosting sessions online,.
“Right now is the absolute perfect time to seek therapy, if you’re struggling with really intense emotions that are getting in your way of enjoying life. You can have a session in the privacy of your own home. Now is the time not only for home improvement but self-improvement.”
If you’d like to book a session or join a virtual support group, contact Virtual Wellness at (775) 525-8103.
