Dear Clients … Your Appointments & Your Health ... In the wake of community concerns around Covid-19 we are keen to support you to feel confident in maintaining focus on your mental health by being able to safely access therapy from home (if you would rather not attend face-to-face appointments). In response to the COVID-19 pandemic the federal government has announced $1.1 billion towards measures for clinicians (including psychologists) to provide Telehealth options. All Medicare eligible Australians can now receive these services.
WHAT IS TELEHEALTH? Telehealth (delivered by either telephone or online video link) allows you to receive counselling from the comfort of your preferred private setting. Telehealth is an easy, flexible and affordable option to consider should that suit your needs. Telehealth appointments are in line with current social isolation initiatives. Please feel free to enquire about Telehealth and how this may benefit you.
WHAT ARE WE DOING TO REDUCE RISK OF ANY INFECTION? We are committed to ensuring we are healthy when at work. We are equally committed to reducing your risk of exposure to illness while attending your appointments with us. All measures will be taken to ensure your and our safety. We are following Department of Health guidelines around travel recommendations/isolation and hygiene/disinfection. We encourage you to do the same: * Masks are mandatory indoors (unless you have an exemption) * Cough into your elbow * Throw away soiled tissues * Wash hands for a minimum 20 seconds regularly, or use hand sanitiser often * Stay home if you are unwell (i.e., have a temperature, sore throat, cough etc)
We will ensure team members remain at home if they are unwell. Likewise, we ask that you reschedule your appointments with us at the first sign of ill-health and sign in to all of your appointments. Your therapist is fully vaccinated for COVID19 and is well versed in infection control preventative practises.
WHAT IF MY CLINICIAN IS ISOLATED?But Well Enough to Run My Session We are experienced at offering sessions via telephone or Zoom (online video sessions). If we are isolated, but well enough to conduct sessions, you will be offered a telephone or Zoom consultation so that your appointment can still go ahead and you are not inconvenienced. If this eventuates further details will be discussed with you.
WHAT IF YOU ARE SELF ISOLATING?But Well Enough to Have Your Session If you prefer not to attend your appointment (due to personal preference or isolation) but still wish to have your session - you will be offered Zoom or telephone options (as an alternative to cancelling). We can step you through connecting to Zoom if you’re uncertain. It’s as simple as clicking a link in an email. Please allow 24 hours to arrange this (this notice is not required if you elect for a telephone session).
HOW ARE ZOOM/PHONE SESSIONS CHARGED? Telehealth sessions are treated the same way as face-to-face and also attract the Medicare rebate of $129.55 towards your fee OR you may like to check with your private health insurer to see if you can access a rebate under these circumstances.
CANCELLATION POLICY Please follow our usual policy for cancellations and give at least 24 hours’ notice to cancel or reschedule your appointment. We are happy to discuss waiving the cancellation fee during the current crisis if you are unwell and provide enough time to enable another client the opportunity of attending. Out of respect to clients on a waitlist, we ask that you give as much notice as possible.
We appreciate it is a time of stress and uncertainty so please be sure to make contact if you have any concerns.
COVID-19 RESOURCES Importantly, please maintain a healthy perspective and take care of yourself and each other. Many of us may face ongoing challenges such as social isolation, online learning/home schooling, job loss, travel restrictions, fear, distress, grief, burnout, relationship difficulties and health anxiety. However despite the uncertainty ahead this is also an opportunity to observe positive change, growth and resilience.
In the mean time remember we are committed to helping you maintain your psychological wellbeing. The following resources may be of assistance: