I am adapting my practice to meet the demands of the COVID-19 pandemic. These adjustments are designed to meet the requirements for in-person services as mandated by the Chief Medical Officer of Health (Alberta), as well as my professional associations and regulatory bodies. I am legally required to post these relaunch considerations online or at my place of business.
I ask that all clients, review the guidelines below. I will be providing all clients with this document and engaging in a supplementary informed consent process. All those attending at my practice will be required to adhere to the following:
Decision to Meet Face-to-Face
Both parties have to want to engage with in-person sessions. If there is a resurgence of the pandemic or if other health concerns arise I may require that we meet via telehpsychology.
If you decide at any time that you would feel safer with telepsychology services, I will respect that decision, as long as it is feasible and clinically appropriate.
Risks for Opting for In-Person Services You understand that by coming into the office, you are assuming risk of exposure to the coronavirus (or other public health risk). This risk may increase if you travel by public transportation or ride sharing service. Your Responsibility to Minimize Your Exposure To obtain services in person, you agree to take certain precautions which will help keep everyone (you, me, our staff, other clients) safer from exposure, sickness, and possible death. If you do not adhere to these safeguards, it may result in a return to a telepsychology arrangement.
Pre-Screening
There will be a screening completed before every session, if you say yes to any of teh question you will be asked to cancel or change to telepsychology.
My Commitment to Minimize Exposure
My practice has taken steps to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19 within the office and we have posted our efforts throughout the building. I monitor myself daily for symptoms of infection. If I have any symptoms of COVID-19, I will notify you and reschedule upcoming appointments.
You understand that I am committed to keep you, me, the office staff, and others safe from the spread of the virus. If you attend an appointment and I have reason to believe that you are sick, I will require you to leave the office immediately. We can follow up with telepsychology services as appropriate.
If I test positive for COVID-19, I will notify you so that you can take appropriate precautions.
The common touch services in my office (door handles, tables) are sanitized before and after each client, PPE is available and 2 meters of space has been ensured.
Your Confidentiality in the Case of Infection If you have tested positive for COVID-19, I may be required to notify local health authorities that you have been in our building. If I have to report this, I will only provide the minimum information necessary for their data collection and will not disclose any details about the reason(s) for our visits.