May 6, 2020 – Empath Health announced today it is offering free counseling sessions to healthcare workers who have endured so much extra stress through this COVID-19 pandemic.

These one hour sessions are available to anyone who identifies themselves as a healthcare employee – and not just “frontline” workers. Counselors will work with the receptionist from the doctor’s office to the aide in a nursing home to the orderly in the hospital.

As of right now, sessions are being conducted virtually (Zoom, FaceTime, Skype, phone) and once staff return to their offices, counselors will see anyone in Empath Health’s Pinellas County locations – though clients are not required to be Pinellas County residents. The organization will offer up to six free one-hour sessions per client.

“Empath Health is committed to serving our community through our integrated network of care. We are so pleased to extend free mental health counseling to our healthcare colleagues,” said Dr. Stacy Orloff, Vice President of Innovation and Community Health at Empath Health. “Healthcare providers often focus on helping others, paying less attention to their own needs. We understand the emotional and spiritual toll felt by so many during these extremely unusual times and truly hope people will take advantage of this opportunity for some self-care. This is our way to say ‘thank you’ for being there for everyone in our community.”

To schedule an appointment, healthcare workers should call (727) 523-3451.

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ABOUT EMPATH HEALTH
Empath Health is a leading Tampa Bay nonprofit, integrated network of care that provides expert medical, counseling and support services to comfort anyone facing chronic or advanced illness or grief. We began in 1977 as Suncoast Hospice and today, our care teams serve hospice, home health, palliative, veteran and pediatric patients, aging seniors, clients with HIV/AIDS, families and caregivers. We also provide advance directives assistance, HIV/AIDS prevention and education, as well as grief and crisis counseling. We are honored to serve more than 4,000 individuals a day. For more information, visit EmpathHealth.org.