Psychologists say a video call is a good way to connect during quarantine
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Two Grand Rapids psychologists said picking up for the phone for a video chat has benefits beyond a phone call.
Dr. Rebecca Klott, the president of River City Psychological Services, said it's beneficial to see the facial expressions and body language of the person you are talking to.
"There's just a deeper level of intimacy and connection that can happen on video that really can't happen just on the telephone," Klott said.
Dr. Richard Raubolt, a Grand Rapids Clinical Psychologist, said he sees the faces of the patients he talks to with teletherapy.
"There's just a deeper level of intimacy and connection that can happen on video that really can't happen just on the telephone." — Dr. Rebecca Klott
"By phones you're restricted to one channel of communication, words," Raubolt said.
He also said that in personal and work conversations, it was helpful to see the faces of those you're speaking with. Staying connected with friends and family is more important than ever in the face of the shelter-in-place order.
"There's just so much significance in seeing your loved ones, because we are all separated and isolated," Klott said. "We're not used to that, we're used to seeing people all the time."
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She said seeing your loved ones reminds us that we're not alone in a way that a phone can cannot.
However, Raubolt said that he notices some people have screen fatigue from long hours in video meetings and video social calls.
He recommended taking a hour before meetings, if possible, to get away from others.
"Doing something just by yourself, perhaps by reading or listening to music," Raubolt said, "something that's reflective and pulls you inside yourself."
Both Dr. Raubolt and Dr. Klott have been doing teletherapy due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
There are also many ways you can maintain your own mental health during the pandemic.
If you feel like someone you know is struggling, Klott said there is not a one size fits all formula to approach them. She suggested to keep trying to reach that person and approach them in a way you think they will be comfortable with.
