SAFETY PLAN FOR IN-PERSON COUNSELLING 
The following Safety Plan, Practices, and Protocols have been developed subsequent to a risk assessment, consultation with Front Line/Essential Workers with experience/success in implementing and maintaining similar protocols in response to 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 (UPDATED Dec 8/20; Nov 22/20; Nov 10/20; Jul 12/20)
   * As of Dec 8, 2020, in-person sessions are postponed until the New Year. Be safe. Be well. *     

1. PRIOR TO IN_PERSON SESSION: Read and Sign the COVID Consent Form (covid_consent-form.pdf)
2. Please Confirm that that neither you/those you reside with have traveled out of the province/country within the past 10 days 
3. Confirm that neither you/those you reside with have shown/disclosed symptoms of COVID-19: fever, sore throat, cough, headache, shortness of breath (list of symptoms) 
4. Confirm that you have not engaged in gatherings with more than 6-people or those outside your bubble without a face mask 
5. Confirm that neither you/those you reside with have been directed to self-isolate for symptoms
6. Confirm that you have carefully considered the risks of attending in-person sessions in relation to your personal/family/and work  related health needs including age and immune disordered members

If you cannot Consent by Confirming the above, continue with tele-therapy sessions until further notice or until symptoms resolve.

RULES FOR ENTERING/BEING IN THE THERAPY OFFICE

1. You must WEAR YOUR MASK and apply provided SANITIZER before entering the office
2. Have read, signed and returned the COVID Consent Form to Michele by email prior to session
3. Where possible, avoid touching railings, posts, doorknobs and window hardware
4. When you enter office sit in the tan chair closest to the window to allow for 6’ of social distancing from Therapist’s chair  
5. Leave windows open during session to promote air circulation 
6. DO NOT enter the office if you have any of the above-noted COVID-19 symptoms
7. DO NOT bring disposable cups/bottles/food into the office. You may bring a person travel mug/thermos. 

 
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 this feels supportive
3. No bodily contact (hand shakes, hugs) are permitted. Air hugs, air high-fives and fist pumps are fully permitted

PAYMENT 

1. Cash, E-transfer, Credit Card, Debit-Credit are being accepted for payment at this time 
2. As regular debit requires a pin and use of tap, regular debit will not be accepted 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, 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 Cash, Credit Card, Credit Debit and e-transfer will be available, regular debit will not be accepted (updated 11/20)

 
SECOND LEVEL OF PROTECTION – Engineered Controls

1. Free disposable masks and a portable transparent partition will be available and mandatory (updated 22/11/20)
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, mindful-based grounding tools (play-dough, 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 (following 22/11/20), and will continue to implement WSBC/Health BC updates as required.   

FOURTH LEVEL OF PROTECTION - PPE

1. Masks will be available for clients who wish to wear them (22/11/20)
2. Instructions on how to apply masks properly will be posted or provided in the office
3. Masks are now considered as an essential measure to be paired with addition controls such as the 2-metre distance and partition 

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 members of our communities. These measures will be reviewed December 10/2020.  
             

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