SAFETY PLAN FOR IN-PERSON COUNSELLING 
The following Safety Plan and related Practices and Protocols have been developed subsequent to a risk assessment, consultation with Front Line/Essential Workers who have experienced success in implementing and maintaining workplace protocols around the COVID-19 pandemic, and review of the practice guidelines disseminated by WorkSafe BC, BC Provincial Health Services Authority, American Psychological Association, Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association, and BMS Insurance Canada.  
 
RULES FOR BOOKING AN “IN-PERSON” SESSION

1. Read and sign the COVID Consent Form (covid_consent-form.pdf)
2. Consent that you, nor those you reside/work with, have traveled out of the country recently
3. Consent that neither you nor those you reside/work with have shown/disclosed symptoms of COVID-19: fever, chills, sore throat, cough, headache, shortness of breath
4. Consent that you have not engaged in gatherings of 10+ people without a face mask/shield in the past 60 days
   
5. Consent that neither you nor those you reside with have been directed to self-isolate for symptoms
6. Consent that you have carefully considered the risks of attending in-person sessions in relation to your personal and/or family health needs including immune disorders, aged family members

If you cannot Consent to the above, continue with tele-therapy sessions for another 14 days, or until symptoms or personal/family needs resolve.

RULES FOR ENTERING/BEING IN THE THERAPY OFFICE

1. Have read, signed and returned the COVID Consent Form to Michele by email prior to session
2. Where possible avoid touching railings, posts, doorknobs and window hardware
3. Apply provided sanitizer before entering office
4. When you enter office sit one of the tan chairs to allow for 6’ of social distancing from Client's to Therapist’s chair  
5. Leave windows open and AC on during session to promote air circulation
6. DO NOT enter the office if you have any of the above-noted symptoms
7. DO NOT bring disposable cups/bottles/food into the office

 
PERMISSIONS FOR “IN-PERSON” SESSIONS

1. To reduce transmission water/tea will not be served but clients are permitted to bring travel mugs with water/tea/coffee
2. Kleenex will be available but clients are permitted to bring Kleenex in a purse or pocket if supportive
3. No bodily contact (hand shakes) are permitted at this time, air hugs, air high-fives and fist pumps are permitted

PAYMENT 

1. E-transfer, Credit Card, Debit-Credit will be accepted for payment at this time 
2. As regular debit requires a pin and use of shared tools debit will not be accepted at this time.
3. NO CASH payments at this time

 
If you choose to attend in-person sessions at this time, it is essential that you read and sign the Informed Consent Form sent to you by email and return it to Michele prior to session.   
 
                                   PRACTICES AND PROTOCOLS FOR IN-PERSON COUNSELLING SESSIONS

REGARDING FIRST LEVEL OF PROTECTION - Elimination

1. Sessions will continue to be offered by Tele-therapy (phone, Doxyme) 
2. Occupancy limit for the office will be 1-clients per session; however, dyads (couple/parent-child) may be accepted in some cases
3. There will be 6'4" (2-metres) between designated chairs during therapy for social distancing 
4. Per usual, the washroom will not be available (kindly use facilities before leaving home)
5. Payment by Credit Card TAP and e-transfer will be available, debit and cash will not be accepted at this time

 
SECOND LEVEL OF PROTECTION – Engineered Controls

1. A portable, transparent partition will be available for use in the office, it will not be mandatory
2. The portable partition will be sanitized following each use applying appropriate sanitizers

 
THIRD LEVEL OF PROTECTION – Administrative Controls
Surfaces Transmission - Shared Items

1. To reduce transmission pens, magazines, mindful-based grounding tools (play-dough, slinky, rubbing stones, marbles) have been removed at this time
2. Water/tea will not be served at this time
3. Per usual, session are spaced 60-minutes apart to allow for cleaning and sanitization between clients 

Surface Transmission – Cleaning and hygiene

1. Exterior stair railings, doorknobs (inside/outside), window hardware, coffee table, and devices will be sanitized after each session
2. Sanitizing stations (1 interior/1 exterior) will be available for clients use when entering and exiting the office
3. I, Michele Gardiner, will wash/sanitize my hands between each session following cleaning protocols from WorkSafe BC and the Health Authority  

FOURTH LEVEL OF PROTECTION - PPE

1. Masks will be available for clients who wish to wear them, but are not mandatory
2. Instructions on how to apply masks properly will be posted in the office
3. Masks should be considered as a control measure when other controls, such as the 2-metre distance, and/or partition, are not available, and in the case that a client is showing symptoms, uncertain, or concerned about transmission of symptoms.

Thank you for taking the time to review and implement these steps. By doing so, we are working together to promote our personal safety, the safety of loved ones, colleagues, and our communities. 
             

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