COVID 19

In consideration of the announcements by the provincial government and recommendations by Work Safe BC, we have developed safety precautions and procedures that will allow us to offer in person counselling.

We will continue to review our plans in the weeks and months to come and hope that this process will result in keeping everyone as supported, safe and healthy as possible.

​We ask only clients who consider themselves low-risk to consider in-person sessions as an option.

Understanding the Risk of In-Person Counselling During the Pandemic

“The virus that causes COVID-19 spreads in several ways, including through droplets when a person coughs or sneezes, and from touching a contaminated surface before touching the face… The risk of person-to-person transmission is increased the closer you come to other people, the amount of time you spend near them, and the number of people you come near. Physical distancing measures help mitigate this risk. The risk of surface transmission is increased when many people contact same surface, and when those contacts happen in short intervals of time. Effective cleaning and hygiene practices help mitigate this risk.”

WorkSafe BC In-Person Counselling: Protocols for returning to operation, May 22, 2020

The Safety Measures of the Clinician

I am adhering to all of the guidelines set forth for in-person counselling by Worksafe BC and the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors

  • I will only meet in-person if I am completely well

  • If I come into contact with anyone who is infected with COVID19, I will put in-person counselling on hold for two weeks

  • I will take my temperature daily and meet only by videocounselling or phone if my temperature is over 100F/38C

  • I will observe these physical distancing safety measures:

    • Remain 6 plus feet apart at all times

    • Open and close the door so that I am the only one touching it

    • Invite you to hang your own coat

    • The waiting area chairs are spaced widely apart to ensure physical distance

  • Disinfect my hands and commonly touched areas of the office between each sessions of counselling

  • Provide hand sanitizer with 80% disinfectant for client use in office

  • Disinfect hands before writing your receipt and send by email if you consent

  • Physical contact, even a handshake, is not safe at this time

The Safety Measures of the Client

  • If you have an upcoming “in-person” counselling appointment and are feeling unwell, regardless of severity of symptoms (even if it is a minor cold), please change to a video/phone session for the same time – rather than cancelling with less than 24 hours notice. Cancellation with less than 24 hours notice will result in paying full fee for the session.

  • Here is a helpful tool to assess risk ThriveBC Assessment Tool

  • If you’re in contact with anyone who is infected, you will let me know and we will put in-person counselling on hold for two weeks

  • Please take your temperature daily and meet only by video/phone if your temperature is over 100F/38C

  • You are welcome to wear wear a mask if that increases your feeling of safety

  • Please come no earlier than 3 minutes prior to your appointment.

  • Please pay by etransfer so we can limit the use of cash handling.

  • Please bring your own water.

Disclaimer

Gillian Hestad Counselling and Consultation cannot guarantee that you will not get COVID-19, but will do everything reasonable to keep all clients safe, whether in person or virtually. Be aware that if clients attend counselling in-person, and you or another client or your therapist were to get sick, the Public Health Officer would undertake contact tracing and Gillian Hestad Counselling and Consultation would be obliged to provide your contact information.

Occupancy Limit of Gillian Hestad Counselling and Consultation

Office Occupancy Limit: Therapist + 3 people from the same home.
Washroom Occupancy limit: 2 individuals per washroom.