Please note this information is as up to date and accurate as possible as of December 12th 2021.
The building and rooms have been risk assessed and measures put in place to minimise the risk of transmission and maximise protection for all staff and visitors.
Within the building there are measures in place appropriate to whatever level of restrictions or guidance are in place at the time.
Within my therapy spaces the seating arrangements are such that there is over 2 metres of space when sitting face to face. I have provided hand sanitiser in the room as well as individually wrapped packs of tissue which are pre-sanitised so there is no sharing of tissue boxes etc, along with sanitised sealed bottles of water to drink (though you are welcome to bring your own hot or cold refreshments!)
I ensure that client seating and door handles are cleaned with disinfectant wipes between visitors.
Masks/face coverings are NOT required within the building though you may of course wear one if you feel safer doing so. Masks/face coverings are NOT required in sessions. If you do wish to wear a mask/face covering, either on the way to/from the room or during sessions, then this is of course your choice, though it can make it more difficult for me to understand your facial expressions etc. I am not able to wear a face covering in sessions myself as I find it inappropriate and too distracting for this type of work (and because I am self testing before I see clients, I would not be there at all if I were to test positive!)
As counselling and psychotherapy usually involves 2 people at the most, the risks of coming into contact with multiple people and therefore multiple infection vectors are minimal.
While all the measures above serve to minimise risk, it should be noted that no risk can ever be reduced to zero and clients attend appointments with fully informed consent that any such visits are at their own risk.
I have received both doses of the Oxford Astra-Zeneca vaccine and have had no ill effects, apart from then actually catching Covid, which evidence suggests will offer a very high level of ongoing immunity. I also carry out regular home testing using NHS home lateral flow testing kits and test first thing every day if I will be seeing clients in person and of course if I were to test positive I would make alternative arrangements or postpone sessions as I did when I had Covid.
COVID-19 and Contact Tracing
You should be aware that the UK Government currently has contact tracing systems in operation, these are being used to monitor and prevent the spread of coronavirus. Contact tracing may reveal that we have had contact should either of us show up as infected or a contact of an infected person and in such a case you may be contacted by a contact tracer. You should make your own judgement as to whether you disclose any details of your contacts unless this becomes mandatory, and agree that I may reveal details of our contact if asked by a contact tracer. You agree not to hold me liable for any such breach of your privacy as this is beyond my control and in the interests of all our health and this is something we will discuss when meeting.
The situation is quite fluid and this page will try to keep as up to date as possible with government advice and information.
I hope you stay safe and well!
IMPORTANT: IF YOU HAVE SYMPTOMS OF CORONAVIRUS OR HAVE TESTED POSITIVE FOR COVID-19, YOU SHOULD FOLLOW GOVERNMENT ADVICE ON SELF ISOLATION AND SHOULD CANCEL YOUR APPOINTMENT AND NOT ATTEND UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES!
