Updated August 2021 - In light of the COVID-19 restrictions easing in the UK

 

Changes made in my therapy room 

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• We will maintain safe distancing throughout.

• I will be taking weekly lateral flow tests.

• The window will remain open so that good ventilation is maintained.

• A soap dispenser and disposable hand towels are available in the cloakroom.

• Hand sanitiser that contains at least 60% alcohol is available in the therapy room.

• I ask that you arrive no earlier than one minute before your appointment time.

• I am happy for you/us to wear a face mask if this would make you comfortable and I can provide masks for the session.

• On-line payment by bank transfer is preferred where possible. 

• The room is sprayed with disinfectant between clients and additional time is left between appointments for ventilation.

• Tissues are easily accessed, and the tissue boxes are disinfected after each session.

• I continue to provide online therapy reducing the number of people visiting the counselling room, and no other member of my family has access to the therapy room.

• The entrance hallway and cloakroom are thoroughly cleaned and disinfected on a regular basis.

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Face-to-Face Sessions

 

If there is a resurgence of the pandemic or if other health concerns arise, however, I may require that we meet online (Zoom).  If you have concerns about meeting online, we will talk about it first and try to address any issues. You understand that, if I believe it is necessary, I may determine that we return to online sessions for everyone’s well-being.

 

If you decide at any time that you would feel safer staying with or returning to, online services, I will respect that decision, as long as it is feasible and clinically appropriate.

 

Risks of opting for in-person services

 

You understand that by coming to my home, you are assuming the risk of exposure to the coronavirus (or other public health risks). This risk may increase if you travel by public transportation.

 

Our responsibility to reduce exposure

 

To obtain services in person, we agree to take certain precautions which will help keep you, me, and our families, safer from exposure, sickness, and possible death. If you do not adhere to these safeguards, it may result in our starting / returning to an online arrangement.  We will only keep your in-person appointment if you are symptom-free. We agree that:

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• You will not attend a session if you have a high temperature. 

• You will wait in your car or outside until no earlier than one minute before our appointment time. 

• We will adhere to the safe distancing precautions I have set up in the therapy room.

• There will be no physical contact (e.g., no shaking hands).

• If we are exposed to other people who are infected, we will inform each other. 

• If a resident of your home or mine tests positive for the infection, we will inform each other. 

 

I may need to change the above precautions if additional local, or government guidelines are published. If that happens, we will talk about any necessary changes.

 

If you or I are sick or have symptoms

 

You understand that I am committed to keeping you, me, and all of our families safe from the spread of this virus. If you show up for an appointment and I believe that you have a fever or other symptoms, or believe you have been exposed, I will have to require you to leave, and we can then follow up with online services as appropriate.

 

If I test positive for COVID-19, I will notify you so that you can take appropriate precautions.

 

Your confidentiality in the case of infection

 

If you have tested positive for the COVID-19, I may be required to notify local health authorities that you have been in my home. If I have to report this, I will only provide the minimum information necessary for their data collection and will not go into any details about the reason(s) for our visits.  In attending face-to-face sessions, you are agreeing that I may do so without an additional signed release.

 

What I will do if I or anyone in my home where I practice is symptomatic

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• In these circumstances, I will contact you without delay via telephone or E-mail. If you have recently changed your e-mail or telephone number, please notify me of any changes.

• You will then be informed following the period of self-isolation when the practice re-opens.

 

What you should do if you are symptomatic

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• If you are experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms, however mild, such as a new persistent cough or fever, you should not attend your upcoming appointment.

• Please contact me via E-mail, text or leave a voicemail on – 07563 025503

 

In these circumstances, we can either suspend sessions until you are ready to resume, or sessions can continue online.

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Review Process

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• The above procedure will be reviewed on a regular basis and may change at short notice based on government guidelines. I will continue to keep you updated on any further actions regarding this matter.

 

If you have any questions or concerns in relation to the above, please do not hesitate to contact me.