This article was updated on Friday, June 3, 2022.

Human communication takes a battering when we have to rely on technology to say hello to friends and family or run a meeting. Technology use during covid can be more tiring, as psychiatrist Gianpiero Petriglieri explained very clearly in a recent tweet.

He’s been described as an “expert on leadership and learning in the workplace, notably leadership in the age of ‘nomadic professionalism’.”

He makes real a vague feeling when we’re struggling with replacing the human with the virtual – especially for counselling and Telehealth sessions.

Counsellors say that connecting with clients via a video link while they’re at home during the Covid-19 crisis has advantages. One of these is that people are usually more relaxed because they’re in their own domain. A downside is that they can be interrupted, say by a child coming into the room or a cat jumping onto the desk.

It’s also harder to read body language, and the placement of the screens can leave both participants feeling as though one is looking down on the other – with all the attendant complications that implies.

Petriglieri says: “I am finding Zoom easier if I don’t make eye contact. Then I can mimic a distant presence, which feels more real. If I want intimacy, and we’re apart, I’ll phone.”

He’s giving us permission to like the good old telephone! So don’t be ashamed of feeling inclined to want to use it. For those who need connection, especially due to higher technology use during covid, this more old-fashioned, familiar technology might actually be better.

And if you need help urgently, a phone call can be the right way to go. Many counselling services are now offering expanded telephone services during Covid-19.

The traditional telephone counselling services are also now Covid-19 ready when help is needed urgently. If you’re in Australia the following services are available.

For Lifeline, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, ring: 13 11 14

For Men’s Line, also 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, ring: 1300 78 99 78

For more thoughts on grief and isolation read our interview with Dr Michelle Atchison: https://good-grief.com.au/psychiatrist-dr-michelle-atchisons-thoughts-on-grief-and-isolation/

Griefline has some great advice on managing isolation, loneliness and grief.

And for one of our favourite podcasts visit Good Mourning and listen to Anne Horton discuss grief during Covid.

Want to know more about Good Grief? Grab a cuppa and take a look around our site.