YOUR HEALTH IS IMPORTANT TO US!

Dear Bridges Counseling of Ohio Community,

We understand these are stressful times, and we also understand that life will (and needs to) move on through COVID-19 and beyond. While the world adapts and adjust to ensure the health of our community, we are doing the same to ensure that our team is able to provide services during COVID-19 that help you to focus on your mental health while feeling confident that we are considering best steps for your physical health too.

As of May 11, our offices were open for in person sessions. However, we have taken the following steps to focus upon the health & safety of our clients, staff & greater community.  For those still preferring distance services, we are happy to continue to offer telehealth (video and/or phone) sessions.

It is important to note that the guiding principle in our design is SAFETY. The safety of our clients, our counselors, and our families that we return to at the end of every day should be, and will be prioritized over rushing back to our business norms. We are taught in this career to work with our client’s best interests in mind, and we must mirror that philosophy to each other, as part of our strategy to get back to the workplace.

While we will offer in person sessions starting May 11, tele-health sessions remain an option at this time. Should you prefer to meet via phone or video session instead of in person, we can continue to offer those formats even after May 11.

For In person sessions:

1. Masks must be worn at all times in the office. This is true for counselors and clients. We realize this may feel odd but the importance of masks has been proven. Additionally, it's state mandated for businesses at this time.

2. Counselors will be cleaning the work spaces, door handles & flat surfaces through the day and between clients. Fidgets, shared "toys", and items used during play therapy have been temporarily put away. If you have a child in therapy who is used to such items, your counselor will relay to you how sessions will proceed.

3. Chairs have been distanced to be 6 feet or more apart in the offices. We realize again this looks different than it has in the past but safety over appearance is the goal.

4. Hands must be washed frequently. We will not shake hands with you. While this feels odd especially in meeting new clients, health is our main focus. As supplies are available, we will provide hand sanitizer in the offices. Counselors will wash hands between clients. Our restroom will be available for hand washing upon your arrival if you choose, though we encourage you to wash hands prior to coming to the office as it limits further contamination risks. We will discourage use of the restroom for purposes other than hand washing. The door to the restroom will remain open and the lights left on to limit the need to touch the door handle or light switches.

5. We will provide individual [new] trash bags for individuals if/when tissues are needed. These will leave with the individual after sessions to be disposed of in your own home. This limits the risk of contamination.

6. We will be limiting gathering in the office space by staggering appointment times. Additionally, at this time, the waiting rooms will not be used. Magazines have been removed. We ask that clients please wait in your car until your appointment time. Your counselor will meet you at the door to the office when they're ready for you to come in. This allows you to 1- not touch door handles, 2- not cross paths with others as they leave and 3 - limits the capacity of people in the offices. For parents with children in sessions, we would ask that you please wait in your car during their session. You may come in with them to get them settled but then we ask you to return to your car. {If you would like to discuss this further, please do so with your counselor.}

7. We will not handle your payment cards during sessions.  You can swipe your card at the time of service and we will sign on your behalf.  Or for those with distance sessions, invoices will be sent after each session which will allow you to pay from home. We trust you will pay these in a timely manner as you usually would have paid at the session time. We ask that you please do not bring bags or large purses into the office. If weather permits, please leave overcoats and jackets in the car as well.

8. We will temporarily cease the use of our coffee and water machines. Please plan to bring your own drink should you wish.

9. We will be requiring the Bridges team to take daily self-assessments and report them to leadership as mandated. If any sign of illness, fever or related concern is found in the staff member or their family members, that staff member will stay home for 14 days in quarantine. Additionally clients will be notified if the staff has tested positive for COVID-19. We ask that you, our clients, also please self assess (and assess your family). If you/your family feel you are ill in any way, please cancel the in person appointment. There will NOT be a fee for this cancellation. Also, if you have been in in the office and later learn you are ill, we ask you to notify the counselor so we may share that with others for their own health safety.

With these precautions in place, we look forward to returning to working with you again in person. We greatly appreciate how you have flexed with us over the last 2 months and appreciate your continued patience and understanding during this transition. We know these are challenging times.

And while we are in the office, if you’re not quite ready to meet in person, we understand and are happy to continue tele-health services. Please communicate with your counselor your preferences.

If you’re looking for more ways to protect yourself and your loved ones, check out the CDC (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html) website.

We're looking forward to seeing you soon!

Thanks,

Your Bridges Counseling of Ohio Team