COVID-19 PRIVATE PRACTICE policies
A Letter Written to Our Valued Patrons:
For the time being, all sessions are still held via Tele-therapy. We do foresee a return to in-office appointments in the upcoming months & are taking all pre-cautionary measures to prepare for a safe re-opening. It is essential to us that you feel safe & worry-free during your visits at Specialized Therapy for Children & Families, & that is why we are taking the extra time to implement a secure safety protocol before our transition back. We hope you agree that in order to provide a safe space for a therapeutic relationship, there must be a solid foundation built upon trust & a sense of security, both emotionally & physically.
Covid-19
Office Success - Safety Policies - Client communication
Upon seeing clients in-person, it will be required for clients to sign an Informed Consent. Specialized Therapy has paired up with The APA (American Psychological Association) in using their customizable Informed Consent template, for in-person sessions during the public health emergency.
When scheduling our first appointment to meet in-person, we will have an open discussion over the phone about the risks of exposure to the coronavirus. It will be documented that you understand those risks and your agreement to proceed with in-person care.
Amongst the many safety policies in place, clients will agree to taking their own temperature before leaving the home and will only attend treatment if there is no sign of fever (generally 100 degrees Fahrenheit or above). This same policy applies to the staff, as well.
If there is any suspicion of fever, session via telehealth will be offered, as it must be emphasized that the rules are for the safety of the client, the therapist, and anyone else in the practice .
Steps taken to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in our office:
The CDC and WHO have developed guidelines for minimizing the spread of the coronavirus. Based on their guidance, APA recommends taking precautions in private practice, including:
* Arrange office seating in the waiting room and in therapy/testing rooms to encourage physical distancing. Based upon these guidelines, we have opted to place "do not sit here" signs on each chair, thus not allowing for wait time in the waiting area.
* If feasible, we will open windows & take other steps to increase ventilation.
*We will wear a mask & we ask our patients to do the same. We will keep some in the office for those who may not have one.
* We will schedule appointments at intervals to minimize having too many people in the waiting room or arriving at the same time.
*We will ask patients to come into the office at the exact time of their appointment time, not earlier.
* We will keep hand sanitizers that contain at least 60% alcohol in the office & the waiting room.
* We will have notices posted that encourage people to wash their hands & to avoid touching their face.
* We will tell patients & office staff to stay home if they have a fever, shortness of breath or a cough, or have been exposed to someone who shows signs of COVID-19.
* There will not be any physical contact, no handshakes, etc.
* All payments are made via check, cash or venmo, eliminating any interaction that would occur with the physical use of a credit card.
