Traveling Light Counseling COVID Three-Stage In-Person Procedure:

Below is the Traveling Light Counseling three-stage procedure for reintroducing in-person therapy sessions. We will make any necessary changes or provide additional information based on the best information we have from the State and local health officials at any given time.

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Stage 1:

Start: July 1, 2020

Duration: 1 month or as long as necessary to collect the necessary supplies for safety

Description: Therapists will continue to provide strictly telehealth counseling at this time. During this stage, we begin to get comfortable with being in the office, learning our new safety procedures, and regaining our workplace culture.

 

Stage 2:

Start: September 1, 2020

Duration: Unknown; dependent on state and local official information.

Description: In Stage 2, clinicians may begin to see clients in-person with specific stipulations. As Stage 2 begins, clinicians may allow up to 25% of their weekly sessions to be held in-person. Clinicians will neither guide nor require clients to resume in-person sessions. Resuming of in-person sessions is at the discretion of each client. Pre-screening requirements to enter office.

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Stage 3:

Start: unknown

Description: Full reopen to the public for in-person sessions.

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New Clients: Intake Coordinators will continue to schedule new appointments as tele-health sessions until further notice. New clients will be notified that their therapist will discuss any options for in-person therapy during that intake appointment. They will notify new clients that in-person sessions are currently scheduled after an initial telehealth appointment, if clinically appropriate. Therapists will follow the contraindications list for deciding appropriateness for in-person sessions, along with ensuring that no more than the appropriate percentage of their caseload is scheduled for in-person counseling.

Everyone is struggling.  We are all being impacted by the stay-at-home and wear-mask orders of this pandemic.  Every time we catch our breath there is another change, covid-decision to make, disruption or interruption into our daily life and for that matter way of being and a loss of control in one way or the other.  Despite all this chaos we remain confident in our work and our ability to help you adapt, overcome and thrive.  As a way to help protect the health and safety of my clients during these chaotic times and still deliver the excellent care you have come to accept and appreciate at Traveling Light I am happy to offer online sessions that are secure, convenient  easy to use and just as effective as in person therapy.  

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On July 22, 2020, the CDC released updated guidance regarding the duration of isolation and recommendations regarding retesting of COVID-19 cases. The Florida Department of Health seeks to ensure resources are available to assist with education regarding the actions that they, along with their close contacts, should take to remain safe. Provided below is a brief overview of recommendations.

 

Isolation is used to separate people infected with the virus from those who are not infected. People in isolation should remain home, and then within their home, separate themselves from other members of their household by staying in a designated room or area to minimize the risk of exposing others in the home.

Symptomatic cases of COVID-19 should remain isolated until:

• At least 10 days* since symptoms first appeared; and

• At least 24 hours with no fever without fever-reducing medication; and

• Symptoms have improved.

*A limited number of persons with severe illness or patients who are severely immunocompromised may need to be isolated for 20 days after symptom onset; consider consultation with infection control experts.

Cases of COVID-19 without symptoms should remain isolated until:

• At least 10 days have passed since they were tested

 

Quarantine is used to keep someone who might have been exposed to COVID-19 away from others. Quarantine helps prevent spread of disease that can occur before a person knows they are sick or if they are infected with the virus but not experiencing symptoms.

Close contacts (came within 6 feet of someone who has COVID-19 for at least 15 minutes) should:

• Stay home for 14 days after their last contact with a person who has COVID-19.

• Watch for fever (100.4°F or more), cough, shortness of breath, or other symptoms of COVID-19.

• If possible, stay away from others, especially people who are at higher risk for getting very sick from COVID-19.

 

Retesting Recommendations:

• For persons diagnosed with COVID-19 who remain asymptomatic after recovery, retesting is not recommended within 3 months after the date of symptom onset or the date of first positive viral test for COVID. In addition, quarantine is not recommended for individuals that have recovered from COVID-19 in the event of close contact with an infected person during the 3 month-period.

• For persons who develop new symptoms consistent with COVID-19 during the 3 months after the date of initial symptom onset, if an alternative etiology cannot be identified by an authorized health care provider, then the person may warrant retesting. Consultation with infectious disease or infection control experts, as well as the Florida Department of Health, is recommended. Isolation may be considered during this evaluation based on consultation with an infection control expert, especially if symptoms develop within 14 days after close contact with a person infected with COVID-19.

 

COVID-19 Convalescent Plasma

Donating plasma is one of the ways you can help those fighting COVID-19. If you or your family have had COVID-19 and have been completely symptom free for at least two weeks, your plasma may help save the lives of other patients. Learn more at https://www.fda.gov/emergency-preparedness-and-response/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19/donate-covid-19-plasma.