IMPORTANT OFFICE NOTICES
VIRTUAL TELE-HEALTH COUNSELLING ONLY - EFFECTIVE JULY 2023
UPDATE - SPRING, 2023
ACCEPTING NEW REFERRALS - JANUARY 2023 - (However, I am NO LONGER accepting WCB, legal or MVA or insurance referrals/claims as my practice is part-time and the reporting involved cannot be accommodated).
Since mid-March of 2020, I, like so many others, pivoted to working exclusively from home doing counselling via TeleHealth. Though there are those of you who want to work in-person only, 90% of you have successfully segued into an online format without 'missing a beat'. There is research support that TeleHealth has the same efficacy for most therapies and I have observed this since the pandemic began.
IMPORTANT UPDATES:
April 4th, 2022, I returned to in-office Monday only - that is, 8am to 4pm. Tuesday will be reserved for virtual TeleHealth Counselling and when required other virtual morning times could be available. I will have my 14 year old, senior dog, 'Salina' at the office. She is a wonderful emotional support 'therapy dog' as she is loving, gentle and sensitive to humans who need a supportive 'fur hug', She is hypo-allergenic being a Shitzu and Maltese cross and small at 12 pounds. She will either be lying beside me on a chair sleeping the entire time, or if you desire, could lie next to you.
MARCH 2023 UPDATE ***
Effective July 2023, in office sessions will transition to entirely virtual counselling. The building where I have had an office since 2015 has been sold to an unknown enterprise. Though the lease officially ends July 31st, to support a successful transition, I am planning on asking all my current in office clients to try virtual to see how effective it still will be, and get used to it. Whether you try it just once, a couple times, or shift to virtual before July 2023, is up to you. My practice will remain part-time, but in July 2023, I will have 15 client hours/week available. Monday and Tuesday 8am-4pm, and Wednesday 8am to noon. Of all the offices I have had since private practice began in 1989, the current one has been my favourite. Only 4 months notice is not a lot of time to figure out where to find office space, pack, move and all the other changes a move entails. It is possible, that I may find a space to see some clients in person, but I would take time to sort that out. Please reach out with any questions that you may have.
Protocol for 'in-office' sessions:
As some of you are aware, I am in what is considered a 'high-risk' group given some health issues in the past, but also I am primary care giver to an elderly parent with Alzheimer's disease, who recently moved to a care facility. I have to do my best, as all of you, to ensure that I stay well and lower the risks that I may be exposed to or pass on to others. You should know that I adhere to medical and science recommendations, not those suggested by government bodies. If you are sick, or have been in contact with someone who is, I request you reschedule or we would both wear a mask in the office. The issue is that there are no windows so there is no circulation of air.
I will continue to offer "TeleHealth Counselling" over the internet platform called Doxy.Me. It has high standards for security, encryption, confidentiality (nothing is stored) and is HIPAA approved. My professional association does not encourage Skype or FaceTime given the lack of online security both of these lack. You will need to review and sign a virtual consent form prior to your session. As mentioned, research shows that 'virtual counselling' can be as effective as face to face in office sessions. Payment is still due after each session and can be sent directly by e-transfer to: so[email protected] My fee for a 90 minute assessment is $300, and $220/hour for regular sessions. If you would like to book an additional 30 minutes or your session extends past the hour, you will be billed accordingly. You will receive a receipt from me to submit directly to your independent insurance company for reimbursement.
If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Deborah