SERVICES DURING THE COVID-19 PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS

When there are resurgences of the pandemic or if other health concerns arise, I may require that I meet with clients via telehealth. If a client and I are meeting in person and, at any time, the client would feel safer with telehealth services, I will respect that decision, as long as it is feasible and clinically appropriate. Telehealth is more easily adapted for most therapy clients; however, it does not work well for clients who are seeking psychological evaluations.

To obtain services in person, a client must agree to take certain precautions to help keep everyone (client, me, the people with whom we each come in contact including other staff in the office space and other clients) safer from exposure to Covid-19. I ask that clients adhere to the following requirements.

Therapy Clients

I ask that therapy clients cancel their session appointment and switch to telehealth (if the client feels well enough to do so) for as long as needed in the following circumstances:

 –if they are having symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, shortness of breath, loss of taste or smell, muscle aches, nausea/vomiting, or diarrhea. No cancellation fee will be charged.

–If they test positive for the Covid-19 virus. I ask that clients not return to in-person sessions until they have completed the required quarantine period as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). In addition, the client must be fever free for at least 48 hours prior to our in-person session.

–if they have been in contact with someone who has tested positive for Covid-19 within the last 3 days prior to their appointment.  If the contact occurred within the 4-10 days prior to their appointment and they are not experiencing any symptoms, the appointment does not need to be cancelled.  However, I ask that the client wear a mask during our session.

–I ask that clients agree to wear a mask in the office, whether or not they have been vaccinated, unless I advise that this is not currently required. A supply of masks will be kept in my office for clients who may not have a mask available when they come to their appointment.

Testing Clients

The same requirements apply to testing clients with respect to reasons for cancelling an appointment. However, we will not be able to do a testing appointment via telehealth. Thus, the appointment will need to be rescheduled. No cancellation fee will be charged.

 If I Am Ill

If I am experiencing any of the symptoms listed above or have tested positive for the Covid-19 virus, I will notify my clients so that they can take appropriate precautions. If I am ill on the day of a client session and well enough to hold a session, I will provide the session via telepsychology.