July 6, 2020 Update:
We hope you are doing well! We wanted to update you about plans for Telehealth and in-person sessions at The Highlands Psychology Group. The state of Indiana has added a Stage 4.5 from July 4th-July 17th. Although the deaths and utilization of high-level medical care has decreased in Indiana, the ratio of positive cases to tests has increased. Remote work is suggested as needed and face coverings are “highly recommended.” Monroe county also added a requirement for businesses to the Indiana Executive Order on July 4, 2020:
“All businesses are required to post a sign (minimum size 8" by 10") at the main entrance by July 8th, 2020, that requests patrons wear a face covering while on the premises, in order to protect employees, other customers and those with whom they are in contact.”
The Highlands will start offering limited in-person sessions on July 21. In most cases we will simply continue Telehealth coverage. For some clients there may be a specific reason that in-person therapy is especially important. Therapists will work with clients to determine the benefits and possible risks of having an in-person session compared to a Telehealth session. We have changed our procedures for in-person sessions to limit possible exposure of the virus. If clients want to have an in-person session, a consent form will need to be completed. This also outlines steps that clients and therapists will take to limit their contact with others and other’s exposure to them.
We will continue to monitor CDC, state, and county guidelines for updates about how to navigate these issues and inform you as we make changes. We also have information about our plans on The Highland’s website HighlandsPsychologyGroup.com.
Be kind to yourself and others and stay safe.
Cathy Batka, Ph.D.
We hope you are doing well! We wanted to update you about plans for Telehealth and in-person sessions at The Highlands Psychology Group. The state of Indiana has added a Stage 4.5 from July 4th-July 17th. Although the deaths and utilization of high-level medical care has decreased in Indiana, the ratio of positive cases to tests has increased. Remote work is suggested as needed and face coverings are “highly recommended.” Monroe county also added a requirement for businesses to the Indiana Executive Order on July 4, 2020:
“All businesses are required to post a sign (minimum size 8" by 10") at the main entrance by July 8th, 2020, that requests patrons wear a face covering while on the premises, in order to protect employees, other customers and those with whom they are in contact.”
The Highlands will start offering limited in-person sessions on July 21. In most cases we will simply continue Telehealth coverage. For some clients there may be a specific reason that in-person therapy is especially important. Therapists will work with clients to determine the benefits and possible risks of having an in-person session compared to a Telehealth session. We have changed our procedures for in-person sessions to limit possible exposure of the virus. If clients want to have an in-person session, a consent form will need to be completed. This also outlines steps that clients and therapists will take to limit their contact with others and other’s exposure to them.
We will continue to monitor CDC, state, and county guidelines for updates about how to navigate these issues and inform you as we make changes. We also have information about our plans on The Highland’s website HighlandsPsychologyGroup.com.
Be kind to yourself and others and stay safe.
Cathy Batka, Ph.D.
Office Safety Precautions in Effect During a Pandemic
The Highlands Psychology Group is taking the following precautions to protect our clients and help slow the spread of the coronavirus.
- Therapists and clients will only keep their in-person appointments if they are symptom free. Clients will take their temperature before coming to each appointment. If it is elevated (100 Fahrenheit or more), or if there are other symptoms of the coronavirus, they have agreed to cancel the appointment or proceed using Telehealth. If a client wishes to cancel for this reason, we will not charge a cancellation fee.
- We ask that all clients wait in their cars or outside until their therapist contacts them to enter the building for their appointment. Then they will go directly to their individual therapist’s office.
- We will all wear masks when moving around the office and when in the same room as another person. We will provide masks in the waiting room if clients do not have a mask.
- Restroom soap dispensers are maintained, and there is hand sanitizer in the waiting area and in the therapy rooms. Clients and therapists will wash hands or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer when entering the building. Therapists will frequently wash their hands and/or use hand sanitizer throughout the day.
- Tissues and trash bins are easily accessed. Trash is disposed of on a frequent basis.
- Common areas are thoroughly disinfected during the day and at the end of each day.
- Physical contact is not permitted.
- Safe social distancing will be kept.
- Appointments are scheduled at intervals to minimize the number of people in the office. There is at least an hour break between in-person clients to disinfect and allow time to pass before seeing the next person.
- Office seating in the therapy rooms has been arranged for appropriate physical distancing.
- We will all try not to touch our face or eyes.
- Payment will be typically completed through our online portal to minimize time in the office and unnecessary touching of surfaces.
- If parents are bringing a child for therapy services, they will make sure that the child follows all these sanitation and distancing protocols.
- Clients have been asked to take steps between appointments to minimize exposure to COVID-19.
- If a client has a job that exposes them to other people who are infected, they are to let their therapist at The Highlands know about this.
- If a client’s commute or other responsibilities or activities put them in close contact with others (beyond their family), they are to let their therapist know about this.
- If a resident of a client’s home tests positive for the infection, clients are to let us know and we will then use the Telehealth platform.
