Returning to In-Office Sessions
COVID-19 is a daily consideration, a fact of life now and will continue to dramatically impactour lives for the foreseeable future given Long Covid and the global impact of the pandemic. As of 2023, True Color Counseling, LLC's office continues to be Telehealth only in consideration of both my and my client's co-morbid medical issues. Safety is of utmost importance.
When and if we return to the in-office session there will be new office protocol, "Risk of In-Person" liability consent form, and the opportunity to stretch your legs out during a session.
I have rented a larger office in the same location effective June 1st, 2020. It is large enough to create 6 feet or more between us and meets NM state requirements for returning to medical clinical offices settings.
That said, there is no urgent clinical need, for me to see any clients in-person in the office. I am agreeable to continue seeing all clients via Telehealth. Wearing a mask will be required for both of us even though I am fully vaccinated.
Telehealth affords us the ability to easily see our beautiful faces, see a smile, shed a tear "in person" but at a distance.
Here's a preview of the "In-Office Protocol". You will be sent a copy of this protocol to initial item by item, then sign, date and return.
Risk, Opting for In-Person Outpatient Psychotherapy
You understand that by coming to the office, you are assuming the risk of exposure to COVID 19 (or other known public health risk). This risk may increase if you travel by public transportation, cab, or ridesharing service.
Your Responsibility to Minimize Your Exposure
To obtain services in person, you agree to take certain precautions that will help keep everyone (you, me, Skyler, and our families, office suitemates and other clients) safer from exposure, sickness and possible death. Your failure or refusal to adhere to these safeguards may result in our starting/returning to a telehealth arrangement. Initial each to indicate that you understand and agree to these actions:
____ You will only keep your in-person appointment if you are symptom-free.
____ You will take your temperature before coming to each appointment. If it is elevated, or you have other symptoms of coronavirus, you agree to cancel the appointment OR proceed using telehealth. If you wish to cancel for this reason, I won’t charge you our normal cancellation fee.
____You will wait in your car or outside (or in a designated safer waiting area) until no earlier than 5 minutes before our appointment time.
_____ You will wash your hands OR use sanitizer when you enter the building.
_____ You will adhere to the safe distancing precautions we have set up in the waiting room.
_____ You will keep a distance of 6 feet and there will be NO physical contact with me or Skyler my Service Dog.
_____ You will wear a mask in all areas of the office ( I will too).
_____You will not touch your face or eyes with your hands. If you do you will immediately wash or sanitize your hands.
_____ If you are bringing your child or service dog, you will make sure that either follows sanitation and distancing protocols.
____You will take steps between appointments to minimize your exposure.
_____ If you have a job that exposes you to those who are infected, you will let me know.
_____ If you commute or other responsibilities or activities put you in close contact with others, beyond your family, you will let me know. This includes travel out of state by any means.
_____ If a resident of your home test positive for COVID 19, you will immediately let me know and we will then (begin) resume treatment via telehealth.
I may change the above precautions if additional local, state or federal orders or guidelines are published. If this happens we will talk about any necessary changes.
My Commitment to Minimize Exposure
True Color Counseling, LLC has taken steps to reduce the risk of spreading COVID 19 within the office. I have posted our efforts on our website and in the office. Please let me know if you have any questions. I have shared this document with my suitemates. We are all practicing similar precautions. We have agreed to provide hand sanitizer for client use in the waiting room.
If You or I Are Sick
You understand that I am committed to keeping you, me, Skyler, and all our families safe from the spread of COVID-19. 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 the office immediately. We can follow up woth services by telehealth 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 COVID-19, I may be required to notify local health authorities that you have been in the office. 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 for the reason(s) for our visits. By signing this form you are agreeing that I may do so without an additional signed release.
Informed Consent
This agreement supplements to the general informed consent/business agreement that we agreed to at the start of our work together.
Your signature below shows that you agree to these terms and conditions:
As you can see there are significant changes in office protocol. The quality of our sessions, considering both your and my health issues, with attention to the therapy session content.