PETRA COUNSELING & CONSULTING LLC
690 S. INDUSTRY WAY, STE. 45
MERIDIAN, ID 83642
Covid-19 Protocols for In-Person Counseling Services
The threat of COVID-19 is ongoing throughout the United States. As a way to mitigate the risk of exposure to COVID-19, our practice has transitioned to providing most services via telecommunications technology. Use of telecommunications technology reduces the need for persons to come into close contact with each other or to be in areas where exposure to COVID-19 may occur. However, in some situations, teletherapy services may not be adequate, and in-person services may be more appropriate. Please think about your general health and that of family or others you may come into contact with, following CDC guidance and your doctor in making this decision, as in person sessions may increase your risk of exposure to COVID-19.
The decision about whether to engage in in-person services is based on current conditions and guidelines, which may change at any time. It is possible that a return to remote services will be necessary at some point based on consideration of health and safety issues. Such a decision will be made in consultation with each in person client, but Petra Counseling and Consulting LLC will make the final determination based on a careful weighing of the risks and applicable regulations.
In order for me to provide you with in-person services, the following protocols must be followed by clients and providers and are based on guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (<https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html>), WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION (WHO) and local Idaho state and city government guidance.
Petra Counseling remains committed to following local state, city and federal guidelines and to adhering to prevailing professional healthcare standards to limit the transmission of COVID-19 in the office. Despite careful attention to sanitization, social distancing, and other protocols in Petra Counseling’s therapy office, there is still a chance that you will be exposed to COVID-19 in the office. If, at any point, you prefer to stop in-person services or consider transitioning to remote services, please let me know.
690 S. INDUSTRY WAY, STE. 45
MERIDIAN, ID 83642
Covid-19 Protocols for In-Person Counseling Services
The threat of COVID-19 is ongoing throughout the United States. As a way to mitigate the risk of exposure to COVID-19, our practice has transitioned to providing most services via telecommunications technology. Use of telecommunications technology reduces the need for persons to come into close contact with each other or to be in areas where exposure to COVID-19 may occur. However, in some situations, teletherapy services may not be adequate, and in-person services may be more appropriate. Please think about your general health and that of family or others you may come into contact with, following CDC guidance and your doctor in making this decision, as in person sessions may increase your risk of exposure to COVID-19.
The decision about whether to engage in in-person services is based on current conditions and guidelines, which may change at any time. It is possible that a return to remote services will be necessary at some point based on consideration of health and safety issues. Such a decision will be made in consultation with each in person client, but Petra Counseling and Consulting LLC will make the final determination based on a careful weighing of the risks and applicable regulations.
In order for me to provide you with in-person services, the following protocols must be followed by clients and providers and are based on guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (<https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html>), WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION (WHO) and local Idaho state and city government guidance.
- Clients are asked to fill out an online Covid 19 questionnaire one day BEFORE EACH appointment. If you answer yes to any of the questions, please call me immediately to discuss next steps. Also, if, on the day of the appointment, any of your answers have changed, please call me immediately to discuss next steps.
- You and I agree not to be present for in-person services if you or I have a fever (temperature above 100 degrees or based on your subjective feeling of having a fever, shortness of breath, coughing, or any other symptoms associated with COVID-19, or if you have been exposed to another person who is showing signs of infection or has confirmed COVID-19 within the past two weeks. Also, please follow guidance on quarantine after travel, as defined by the CDC.
- Please follow current recommendations by the CDC regarding mask wearing. Also, if you have not yet been fully vaccinated, which is considered two weeks past the last recommended dose of vaccine, Petra Counseling strongly recommends that we switch to telehealth sessions. Further, Petra Counseling encourages you to speak with your doctor about getting vaccinated.
- Social distancing requirements must be met, meaning that you and I must maintain a six-foot distance from others while in offices, waiting rooms, and other areas. The seating in the office is spaced adequately apart and serves as the 6 ft marker.
- The waiting area is rather small. To allow for social distancing, it is expected that you do not enter the office sooner than within 5 minutes of your appointment time and leave the office within 5 minutes after your session. Also, to limit the number of people in the waiting area at any time, please do not bring others into the office.
- Hand sanitizer will be provided and is highly encouraged to be used upon entering the office.
- There will be no physical contact with others in the office.
- If you are bringing a child or other dependent in for therapy, you agree to ensure that both you and your child/dependent follow all of these protocols.
- All other consent items, including regarding payment for services, remain the same as stated on the regular informed consent form.
Petra Counseling remains committed to following local state, city and federal guidelines and to adhering to prevailing professional healthcare standards to limit the transmission of COVID-19 in the office. Despite careful attention to sanitization, social distancing, and other protocols in Petra Counseling’s therapy office, there is still a chance that you will be exposed to COVID-19 in the office. If, at any point, you prefer to stop in-person services or consider transitioning to remote services, please let me know.