Staying safe
Things have moved on so much since the Summer. We've had another lockdown, tiering, lockdown number three, and now a new variant virus. I am anticipating these current restrictions to last until the end of March, and I won't be surprised if they have to get tighter.
In that time, the restrictions on counselling have remained the pretty much the same. I am still one of the businesses which is permitted to be open, which means I can continue to offer face to face sessions. Travelling to a counselling session is considered a "reasonable excuse" as you are travelling to attend an appointment in connection with your mental health.
Where you are benefitting from walk and talk or online sessions, my policy is to continue offering you these alternatives, rather than face to face sessions.
In that time, the restrictions on counselling have remained the pretty much the same. I am still one of the businesses which is permitted to be open, which means I can continue to offer face to face sessions. Travelling to a counselling session is considered a "reasonable excuse" as you are travelling to attend an appointment in connection with your mental health.
Where you are benefitting from walk and talk or online sessions, my policy is to continue offering you these alternatives, rather than face to face sessions.
Counselling Online and by Telephone
When it became clear that I would no longer be able to see people face to face, I offered online counselling as a replacement. While this has been invaluable in ensuring I can continue to help the majority of people I see, online counselling is a form of therapy in it's own right, it's not a replacement, nor a lesser version of face to face therapy.
I have also been offering telephone therapy for those people who find online counselling via video does not work for them.
I have also been offering telephone therapy for those people who find online counselling via video does not work for them.
- Online counselling is delivered via a mutually agreed 3rd party providor, currently either WhatsApp, or Zoom.
- I will be responsible for making contact and re-establishing connection.
- In the case of a technological failure, I will offer an alternative such as by voice call.
- Payment is by bank transfer or mobile payment.
- You may continue your online sessions if you prefer them to face to face.
Face to Face
While being able to carry on talking online has been helpful for many people during lockdown, I know many of the people I see prefer face to face counselling.
Not just because meeting another human being in person is something we have all been deprived off, but because it is also therapeutically better too.
The aim of my policy is to limit onward transmission of the virus, while also offering the benefits of face to face therapy. Because the symptoms of Covid-19 are varied and quite wide ranging, my policy covers feeling unwell, rather than just a short list of symptoms.
Not just because meeting another human being in person is something we have all been deprived off, but because it is also therapeutically better too.
The aim of my policy is to limit onward transmission of the virus, while also offering the benefits of face to face therapy. Because the symptoms of Covid-19 are varied and quite wide ranging, my policy covers feeling unwell, rather than just a short list of symptoms.
- If you are unwell prior to your appointment, please let me know, and we can either have an online session, or rearrange for a later date.
- Please also let me know if you have suspected Covid-19, you have had a positive test, or if you have been asked to isolate because you have come into contact with someone who has Covid-19.
- I will let you know if you have seen me in the last 7 days, and I have suspected Covid-19, a positive test, or been asked to isolate. If I have to isolate I will continue to offer online sessions.
Walk & Talk
Walk and talk sessions are in an open space within the Eastleigh district, and gives access to open as well as wooded areas. Being outside allows us to bring the landscape into the therapeutic conversation. We can also sit and talk on a bench, or even on the grass.
The area I have chosen allows us to walk side by side while maintaining a 2 metre separation.
I am happy to be outside regardless of weather, I really don't mind getting wet. The only time the session will need to be cancelled and an alternative offered is if the weather makes it unsafe to be outside, for example heatwaves or storms.
The general consensus is that meeting outside carries a lower risk of virus transmission than meeting indoors.
The area I have chosen allows us to walk side by side while maintaining a 2 metre separation.
I am happy to be outside regardless of weather, I really don't mind getting wet. The only time the session will need to be cancelled and an alternative offered is if the weather makes it unsafe to be outside, for example heatwaves or storms.
The general consensus is that meeting outside carries a lower risk of virus transmission than meeting indoors.
At Number Twelve
Before you arrive I will clean down all door handles and seating, and I have also installed a suitable air purifier, both of which should help to reduce the risk. The seating at Number Twelve allows us to sit slightly more than the guideline 2 metres apart. Please note that while these should reduce the risk of onward transmission, meeting face to face can not be made risk free.
If you need to shield to protect yourself or others then I am more than happy to offer you an alternative such as online or telephone counselling.
If you need to shield to protect yourself or others then I am more than happy to offer you an alternative such as online or telephone counselling.
- You will need to bring with you a pack of tissues, and hand sanitiser if you wish to use it.
- Before you arrive I will clean the door handles, and the leather surfaces of the sofa. If you are allergic or sensitive to any cleaning products please let me know.
- When you arrive let yourself in and take a seat. You do not need to wear PPE, such as a mask and/or gloves while you are in the room with me.
- We will then have our usual session together.
- Most of the equipment is still usable, because it can be washed. Unfortunately the sand tray, play-doh, and my cards aren’t washable.
- At the end of the session you can leave any tissues in the bin.
- Payment needs to be made either by bank transfer or by mobile, rather than cash.
Updated 7th January 2021