We understand that seeing your psychologist is important and the welfare of our clients and staff are of utmost concern – hence we have adopted the following:
- Cleanliness and hygiene – We have posted notifications in all offices regarding the health alerts as provided by the Govt. We have added hand sanitisers into our offices and we’re asking our staff and clients to follow good hygiene standards
- Options for you – We have enabled telephone-based sessions to ensure that you can still meet your psychologist. We have several options – Medicare or Non-Medicare based. Our full list of offerings can be seen when you book online.
- Options for staff – If any of our staff do not feel well or are unable to come to the office, they will be required to see a GP/Doctor or self-isolate for 14 days (or as per latest guidance). This will mean that they we may either be required to reschedule the sessions held on the day or continue with telephone-based sessions. We will try to minimise this – but please bear with us.
- Session reminder notifications – We have updated our 2-way SMS reminders to give you options in the event that the you are displaying flu-like symptoms or have travelled recently overseas. The SMS reminders ask whether you would like to have the session in person (CLINIC) or by phone (TEL);
- Enabled email notifications – Email alerts that can provide additional information in relation to your session, options and information around health alert messages. If you haven’t provided us with your email – please do so at your next session.
- Implementing our Business Continuity Plan (BCP) – We have taken advice from our lead psychologists and are in the process of executing our BCP.
Additionally, the Australian Psychological Board has provided the following article. Key items include:
Take reasonable precautions
Being proactive by following basic hygiene principles can keep your anxiety at bay. The World Health Organization recommends a number of protective measures against the coronavirus, including to:
- wash your hands frequently
- avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth
- stay at home if you begin to feel unwell until you fully recover
- seek medical care early if you have a fever, cough or experience breathing difficulties.
Practise self-care
To help encourage a positive frame of mind, it is important to look after yourself. Everybody practises self-care differently with some examples including:
- maintaining good social connections and communicating openly with family and friends
- making time for activities and hobbies you enjoy
- keeping up a healthy lifestyle by eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, getting quality sleep and avoiding the use of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs to cope with stress
- practising relaxation, meditation and mindfulness to give your body a chance to settle and readjust to a calm state.
