I am offering a limited number of face-to-face sessions in my therapy room at Ford Road S11 from September 2020. This information sheet sets out the changes I am making, and what I will be asking clients to do, in order to ensure the safest possible environment. Please note, what I am putting in place is likely to change and update, as new scientific evidence and Government guidance change. I am also working with clients remotely via Zoom and via phone and you may wish to work in this way, based on your own assessment of your needs and circumstances. Please feel free to discuss this guidance with me or ask any questions at any time. On arrival
Hand sanitiser will be available just inside the door – please use this, or you can use the washroom on the left hand side, where you will find liquid soap and paper towels.
Temperature checks: I’ll be operating no-contact temperature checks at the door.
Face coverings are currently required (fabric or disposable masks) as per the latest Government guidance on close contact working in indoor spaces. Please bring a face covering with you.
The counselling room is on the first floor, up one flight of stairs – you’ll find the door open. I will follow you up ensuring at least a 2 metre distance. All touchable surfaces – stair bannister, washroom facilities, door handles etc are wiped down with an anti-viral spray before and after each client.
Counselling room
The therapy room has 2 wipe-down chairs with a 2-3 metre distance between them – I am requesting at this time that clients sit in the chair nearest to the window. We will leave the window open and if possible, also the door will be slightly ajar, to ensure through ventilation.
Soft furnishings have been removed and all touchable surfaces in the room – chairs, door handles etc will be wiped down with an anti-viral cleaner before and after each client.
We will keep 2m distance from each other throughout the session.
Ending each session
At the end of the session, we’ll ensure a 2 metre distance between us on leaving the room, with you leaving first, as we make our way to the front door and outside.
Further safety precautions
Please feel free to bring a drink/flask for the sessions. Currently I’m not able to provide drinks (except if there is an emergency need for some water in a session).
Cancelling sessions: we will need to agree to cancel a face-to-face session if either of us has been in contact with anyone who has Covid 19 or if we ourselves have any symptoms of Covid 19 :
-high temperature; -a new continuous cough, or a cough worse than usual; -a loss or change in sense of taste or smell.
We can agree to have the session by video conferencing or phone instead, or we can re-schedule.
I will let you know immediately if I am unable to provide face-to-face sessions because I am symptomatic or am having to self-isolate because of contact I have had with any other person and I ask you to do the same.
Exception to confidentiality: we will need to agree to an exception to confidentiality - if either one of us is contacted by the Covid-19 tracing team, as we will be legally bound to provide contact details of people we have been in touch with (name, address, phone number).
This information will be reviewed and updated, as Government guidance and best practice is developed. Carol Sexty, August 2020.