COVID-19 CORONAVIRUS INFORMATION PAGE
We are aware that many of our clients have concerns regarding COVID-19 (Coronavirus) and in effort to support clients in staying healthy and informed, we have compiled the below information.
Here's what you can do...
As with any illness, practicing good hygiene to help prevent the spread of viruses and bacteria is the first line of defense.
We also ask Clients:
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Please remain at home if you or a close family member are ill with fever, cough, or shortness of breath. Rest-assured that your mental health needs can still be met by converting your session into a remote Teletherapy session (more on that below).
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If you have traveled to one of the countries identified by the CDC as highest risk (such as South Korea, Italy, China, Iran, and Japan), or an international cruise, in order to prevent community transmission of any airborne pathogens, we ask that you elect for Teletherapy sessions for your next few sessions from returning from your trip rather than attending therapy in person in the office.
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If you become aware that 1) you have been exposed to COVID-19 via a close association or family member, 2) you or a close association has symptoms and is awaiting test results, and/or 3) if you become diagnosed with the Coronavirus and have been in our office in the previous 7 days, please notify our office as soon as you are able so that we can take appropriate precautions (e.g., sanitizing our office to protect others, notifying clients of possible exposure). At that point, we would also convert scheduled appointments to Teletherapy appointments for the following week, or until all associated parties are again healthy.
In addition, we recommend that Clients follow the precautions recommended by the CDC:
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Wash your hands frequently with soap and warm water, for at least 20 seconds, or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer when soap and water are not available.
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Keep your hands and fingers away from your eyes, nose, and mouth, as much as possible.
What Hope Joy Peace Counseling is doing...
We are also taking steps to maintain a healthy environment at the office to minimize health risks, and to address any concerns Clients may have. In addition to the above, Hope Joy Peace Counseling Staff are taking the following precautions, many of which we adhere to during any cold/flu season to help prevent the spread of illness:
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The office is equipped with tissues, disinfectant wipes, and hand sanitizer.
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Surfaces in the office will be wiped down frequently with additional attention to commonly used surfaces (doorknobs, telephones, waiting room chairs, etc.).
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We are requesting that Clients AND Staff stay home if they have cold or flu symptoms. Early symptoms of COVID-19 are very similar to those of seasonal influenza and include fever, cough, and shortness of breath. If any of those symptoms are present, we ask that you stay home, speak with your physician and monitor your health.
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We are offering Telehealth by SimplePractice, confidential online video conference appointments, to Clients if either a Client OR a Therapist cannot come to the office due to illness. Please communicate with your Therapist to arrange a Teletherapy session if needed.
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If we become aware that any client or close associate or family member of a client has been diagnosed with COVID-19, we will notify all Clients that have been in our office of possible exposure to the virus so that all parties can make informed decisions regarding their health, and the option of Teletherapy as a precaution if they are concerned about exposure.
How Does Telehealth by SimplePractice Work?
Even before the current health-related concerns, Hope Joy Peace Counseling has had an agreement with a HIPAA-compliant confidential video conferencing platform to be provide Teletherapy, when appropriate. We use Telehealth by SimplePractice; here is how you can be prepared for Telehealth by SimplePractice, should the need arise:
How to join on a desktop or laptop computer
If you plan to use a desktop or laptop, there is nothing to download prior to your appointment. Here are the steps to join:
1. Approximately 10 minutes before your appointment, you should receive either an email or SMS text appointment reminder.
Note: If you have already consented to receiving text and/or email reminders, you will continue to receive them for Telehealth appointments as well. For new clients, make sure you have provided your email and or mobile phone number so that I can enable email or text reminders.
2. Click the unique link embedded in the reminder. Your video call screen will now open in a new tab.
Note: You may have to copy and paste the link into your web browser.
3. If I have already joined the call, you will see my face on the screen. If I have not, you will see yourself, as shown below.
4. You will also see the Welcome prompt. Click Play test sound to test your camera and microphone settings. When you are ready, click Join Video Call. This will take you straight into the video call.
Note: There may be a slight delay for me to join the session if I am finishing with a previous session. Please be patient and I will join momentarily.
How to join on a smart phone
If you plan to use a mobile device, here are the steps to join:
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Choose a well-lit, quiet room in your house to have your appointment. Do not sit directly in front of windows due to back lighting.
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Download Telehealth by SimplePractice (for iOS or Android) in the app store. Approximately 10 minutes before your appointment, you should receive either an email or SMS text appointment reminder.
Note: If you have already consented to receiving text and/or email reminders, you will continue to receive them for Telehealth appointments as well. For new clients, make sure you have provided your email and or mobile phone number so that I can enable email or text reminders.
4. Open the reminder on your mobile device and click the unique link. This will open the Telehealth by SimplePractice app.
5. If I have already joined the call, you will see my face on the screen. If I have not, you will see yourself.
6. When you are ready, click Join Video Call. This will take you straight into the video call. Note: There may be a slight delay for me to join the session if I am finishing with a previous session. Please be patient and I will join momentarily.
TIPS FOR SUCCESS
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I recommend joining the video session a few minutes early to test your settings.
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If you can connect to the Internet, but are having trouble joining the video, you can use our recommended Pre-call Tool: tokbox.com/developer/tools/precall/
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To use a smartphone to join a video chat, you must first download the Telehealth by SimplePractice app available in the app store for iOS or Android.
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If you need to cancel or have questions about the appointment, please contact
Lastly...
If you have any additional questions or concerns, feel free to reach out to your provider Thank you for working with us in helping to keep everyone healthy!
Resources...
We are sharing links below as helpful ways to inform you and share information with family members including how to speak to your children.
CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/protect/index.html
How Cancelled Classes and Events and Self Quarantine Saves Lives in One Chart:https://www.vox.com/2020/3/10/21171481/coronavirus-us-cases-quarantine-cancellation
Talking to kids about the Coronavirus: Kids worry more when they're kept in the dark: Rachel Ehmke
https://childmind.org/article/talking-to-kids-about-the-coronavirus/