During COVID-19 I am working with some child, adolescent and adult clients and some supervisees face to face. For this, I follow this COVID safety protocol.
I am able to work face to face with clients where this is in their best interests and where I am in a position to do so. However, during this time I have put in place additional procedures which need careful adherence to in order to keep everyone at the practice safe.
When you arrive
I’m sorry not to be able to offer waiting facilities and ask that clients arrive just before their session times. There are cafes with indoor and outdoor seating nearby that can be used if you arrive early. There is some on-street parking available (payment via phone), or ask me about free parking times in the vicinity. At present, off-peak travel via the Overground rail network is less crowded. Remember to bring your mask to be allowed on the platform.
Hygiene and ventilation
I ask clients to wash their hands with soap or sanitizer on arrival. We may work in one of the rooms here or we may opt to have sessions in the garden – seated at the patio table – or outside at a local park . During cold or inclement weather we may prefer to work indoors, where we can sit comfortably, maintaining social distancing in a well-ventilated room.
I often incorporate work with the arts as part of therapy. There are gloves provided if you want to use these with any of the art materials or the sand tray. I can allocate a named resources or materials tray for you. All equipment (paint brushes, crayons, clay tools, miniatures, and so on) is cleaned after use. You are also welcome to bring your own.
Between sessions I will be opening windows to air the room, wiping down surfaces, disposing of any gloves that were used (or washing reusable ones) and washing my own hands thoroughly.
All facilities such as bathrooms and drinking water will remain available in case of need. Paper hand towels and soap are provided. To limit exposure, however, I recommend that people try to avoid the use of these if possible.
Face coverings
I have made the decision not to wear a face covering in the sessions but if you would prefer me to wear a mask or visor please discuss this in advance of your session.
If you or anyone in your house has COVID-19 symptoms
I also ask that you do not come in if you, or any member of your household, have symptoms of COVID-19. In the event that there is a cause for concern about infection, the session can still take place but would need to be carried out over video link.
Sharing details with NHS Test and Trace
The government has now implemented a test and trace system, the parameters of which are still not completely worked out. If I am contacted and asked to give details of people that they have been in contact with then I would ask that we be allowed to keep these records confidential but promise to contact our clients ourselves. However, in the event that I am required by law to hand over information I would have to agree to do this but would not give any information about the context in which I had been in contact with people.
