By K. Q. THOMAS, Four Points News

Avoiding COVID-19 is only one component of surviving the current pandemic. Social distancing, working from home, schooling at home, business closings, layoffs and furloughs — all have serious physical and emotional impacts. 

Steiner Ranch resident and practicing therapist Lauren Gaspar is, along with her family, making her way through the new daily challenges of pandemic life while also helping her clients manage their own fallout. 

“Mental health experts are predicting a significant increase in post-traumatic stress disorder, addiction, abuse, depression and suicide (in the coming months),” said Gaspar, who has been a therapist for 19 years. “When you combine this with people trying to work every day and perform, it’s a slippery slope.”