The Talking Cure

In these uncertain times, strategies for dealing with anxiety are more important than ever.

Within a few years of surviving the trauma of the pandemic, the nation seems to be once again living through tumultuous times. For so many healthcare workers, fear about the future and the anxiety it produces is impossible to avoid.

Coping mechanisms come in many forms. One option, which is available to many members free of charge through the 1199 Benefit Fund, is psychotherapy.

For Susie Collazo, an 1199 Delegate and Social Worker at Brookdale Hospital in Brooklyn, NY, the talking cure is every bit as curative as medical intervention.

“In healthcare, the emphasis is on physical health, but we’re having the realization that in treating someone you have to be wholistic, mental, physical, everything influences the whole person,” says Collazo.

“Mental health is just as important as any other part of our bodies, it impacts how we think and respond, what we say, even our decision-making skills. When you don’t include mental health, you’re missing out on a huge part of overall functioning and wellbeing,” she adds.

Collazo’s passion for psychotherapy began at an early age: “In my late teens when I experienced a big death loss of a close loved one related to substance abuse, I wanted to care for and support everyone.”

Sanjana Nidugondi, 1199 Therapist at Callen-Lorde Community Health Center in Manhattan, believes that talking about emotions is a universal need. “I can’t think of anyone not benefiting from having a pocket of time to talk about themselves, every week,” says Nidugondi, adding: “In therapy you’re showing up for yourself and only thinking about you, you don’t have to worry about caring for your provider or sharing care like you’re talking to your friend—you can take the weight of the world and those you provide for off your shoulders and only focus on what you need, you can prioritize your needs and experiences.

“Therapy is also a container for feelings and information. With your care provider you won’t have to ask, is the info I’m sharing going to stay in this relationship or will it become gossip or be divulged without my consent, which could be a concern in sharing with friends or family.”

But she also understands that many people are reluctant to reach out for professional help. “There was this stigma around it from my family and community, but in college it was the first time I could access [therapy] and it was what I needed, it was truly revolutionary for me,” says Nidugondi.

Collazo had a similar experience, “In my family culture, there’s so many things we don’t talk about, it stays within the family and there’s no discussion about it. When [trauma] happened, I kept it to myself and there was no place to release it. That stays with you into adulthood if you’re not able to process it. Everyone needs nurturing spaces to process without judgment.”

Since the pandemic, telehealth sessions have become much more common. “Telehealth brings so much accessibility and people able to get support more easily, especially working people,” says Nidugondi. “It’s made a difference, people who are working multiple jobs or have kids can attend sessions more consistently, especially not having to commute to meet [in-person],” says Nidugondi.

She’s particularly passionate about working at Callen-Lorde because: “It primarily serves those in NY on Medicaid or Medicare who don’t have insurance, and they do gender affirming care. The organization was born out of HIV/ AIDS crisis, in fact it’s named after two queer activists – Michael Callen and Audre Lorde. Most folks we work with are queer, trans and are either uninsured or underinsured.”

Collazo also wants to help those in places who may need it the most, like her own community, and it’s personal for her. “Where I work, our community is plagued with ongoing social stressors like poverty, violence, substance abuse,” she remarks. “So many people can benefit from therapy in this community. I serve [people] who have high addiction issues, violence, these elements that I originally dealt with or felt called to help people with [from childhood], it’s all connected together for me.”

Collazo adds: “[In therapy] I can meet people where they are and talk through these things and explore and strategize what best methods to use to help.”

In the end, it’s about providing support and helping people to live their best quality of life. “In an ideal world, therapists fit into people’s support networks, we’re not a replacement for community, friendships, groups, chosen family, we are a part of a constellation of support, a larger support system for that person and it helps to know they can lean on the professional and those connections for the help they need,” says Nidugondi.

“I help people on the journey to learn about themselves and thrive and live life the best way they can no matter what happens,” says Collazo. “You can still thrive and have hope no matter what comes your way. The biggest thing is you can get to the light, even in dark times.”