COVID-19 Information & Updates
Updates to Our Practice
Update: June 3, 2021
- As of June 3, 2021, we are opening our offices for in-person services to adults and teens who are fully immunized. We also recognize and honor the importance of providing services to children in-person, regardless of vaccination status. All clinicians will continue providing care through telehealth services, as well. Please contact your clinician to discuss whether in-office services are an option for you.
- Note: Teletherapy is strongly encouraged for immunocompromised adults, and those at high risk for complications from COVID-19.
- General Guidelines:
- You are considered “fully immunized” two weeks past vaccination with either the single dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine OR the second dose of the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine.
- Non-immunized children (under age 12) are permitted to be seen in the office; masks must be worn at all times.
- Masks are to be worn in all areas of Suite 3004, even by fully immunized clients and staff.
- Always use hand sanitizer before entering Suite 3004, even if you are perfectly healthy.
- Stay home when sick, at the first signs of fever, cough or other COVID symptoms. A teletherapy session can be arranged instead.
- Cough or sneeze into your sleeve or elbow, or a tissue, not your hands.
- Use hand sanitizer liberally and frequently.
- Complete our Consent Form to understand the expectations and risks of in-person treatment during the ongoing public health risk.
- If a family member shows signs of COVID-19 (fever, cough, nasal congestion, difficulty breathing, exhaustion, loss of taste or smell), do not come to the office for an in-person session, even if you have no symptoms. A teletherapy session can be arranged instead.
- If you have been exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, do not come to the office for an in-person session, even if you have no symptoms. Shift to teletherapy, and return to the office once you have obtained a negative test.
- Clients and clinicians who have traveled should continue to follow CDC travel recommendations and requirements, including quarantine or restriction from work, when recommended for any traveler.
- Medical grade air filters are provided throughout our office suite including therapy offices and 6-foot distancing will be maintained.
- If there is a resurgence of the pandemic or if other health concerns arise, we may need to close our offices again. At that time, we will continue to provide services through telephone and videoconference. We appreciate your understanding and flexibility and will continue to keep you informed of any information related to your care. We hope that you and your families continue to stay well.
Changes to Our Practice
Update: September 1, 2020
- As of September 1, 2020, we are able to reopen our offices for limited in-person services. However, most clinicians will only continue providing care through telehealth services. Please contact your clinician to discuss whether in-office services are an option for you.
- If you do come to the office, we ask that you help us by:
- Reading and signing our informed consent to treatment during COVID-19 public health crisis; please bring the completed form with you to your appointment
- Wearing a mask
- Using hand sanitizer at the door before entering
- Adhering to social distancing cues and reading all posted signs and policies
- Letting us know if you have had any COVID-19 symptoms (fever, cough, shortness of breath, sudden onset of fatigue, or the sudden loss of smell or taste)
- Taking your temperature on the morning of your appointment
- If there is a resurgence of the pandemic or if other health concerns arise, we may need to fully close our offices again. At that time, we will continue to provide services through telephone and videoconference. We appreciate your understanding and flexibility and will continue to keep you informed of any information related to your care.
- We hope that you and your families continue to stay well.
Office Closed: Thursday, March 26, 2020
As a result of the pandemic and New Hampshire's State of Emergency, our office has closed as of Thursday, March 26, 2020.
This is a stressful, uncertain time for all of us. The novel Coronavirus / COVID-19 pandemic has created a situation that none of us has experienced before. Although most people are not at risk for severe medical complications, the public health crisis is requiring many changes. Changes range from simple and small things, like frequent hand washing, to more complicated, far-reaching changes like school and day-care closings, working remotely from home, social distancing, self- quarantining, and minimizing activities involving contact with others.
Check the national Centers for Disease Control website and New Hampshire’s Health and Human Services website for up-to-date information and recommendations.
We look forward to an eventual return to normalcy. In the meanwhile, we hope you stay safe and well.
This is a stressful, uncertain time for all of us. The novel Coronavirus / COVID-19 pandemic has created a situation that none of us has experienced before. Although most people are not at risk for severe medical complications, the public health crisis is requiring many changes. Changes range from simple and small things, like frequent hand washing, to more complicated, far-reaching changes like school and day-care closings, working remotely from home, social distancing, self- quarantining, and minimizing activities involving contact with others.
Check the national Centers for Disease Control website and New Hampshire’s Health and Human Services website for up-to-date information and recommendations.
We look forward to an eventual return to normalcy. In the meanwhile, we hope you stay safe and well.
Phrases to Build Resilience this Holiday Season*
This year's holiday season is sure to be unique, but that doesn't have to be a bad thing! Use the phrases below to help you and your family reframe all the changes and see the good that this year can still bring!
1. ”What can we do to make this year special?” Unearth an old favorite tradition that is still doable or consider an activity that has always sounded like fun.2. "When I'm sad, it can help me to…” Help identify feelings and define ways of developing self-calming skills that will last a lifetime.3. "What if instead of doing that, we try…” Get creative and find ways to replace or revamp activities to achieve the outcomes of traditions.4. "You know what we can finally do this year?” This is the year to build in those activities you never could quite fit in due to scheduling demands around the holidays.5. "Because it will be different this year, I have a very special job for you…” Invite your child to become a special helper. 6. "Let's think of one way our family is lucky this year.” Use this year as a chance to appreciate all you still have and make a conscious effort to help your children appreciate it, too. 7. "What is something we can do to help another family?” Think of something you can do together to make this holiday special for someone else.8. "Those traditions all started with someone doing it once. Let's start a new tradition this year!” Traditions all had to start somewhere; this is a great chance to start something new. 9. "Let's make a list of things we'll do when we can.” Sometimes it's easier to hear "not now" instead of just "no," ; making a list of things to look forward to can help remind us that fun things will eventually happen again. 10. "I know it's frustrating that we can’t…” It's okay to just empathize and acknowledge that this year hasn't been fair! Knowing people care and respect feelings is just as important as reframing disappointing thoughts and experiences.
*Adapted from: https://www.mother.ly/child/how-to-help-kids-cope-with-holiday-disappointment-during-covid-19
1. ”What can we do to make this year special?” Unearth an old favorite tradition that is still doable or consider an activity that has always sounded like fun.2. "When I'm sad, it can help me to…” Help identify feelings and define ways of developing self-calming skills that will last a lifetime.3. "What if instead of doing that, we try…” Get creative and find ways to replace or revamp activities to achieve the outcomes of traditions.4. "You know what we can finally do this year?” This is the year to build in those activities you never could quite fit in due to scheduling demands around the holidays.5. "Because it will be different this year, I have a very special job for you…” Invite your child to become a special helper. 6. "Let's think of one way our family is lucky this year.” Use this year as a chance to appreciate all you still have and make a conscious effort to help your children appreciate it, too. 7. "What is something we can do to help another family?” Think of something you can do together to make this holiday special for someone else.8. "Those traditions all started with someone doing it once. Let's start a new tradition this year!” Traditions all had to start somewhere; this is a great chance to start something new. 9. "Let's make a list of things we'll do when we can.” Sometimes it's easier to hear "not now" instead of just "no," ; making a list of things to look forward to can help remind us that fun things will eventually happen again. 10. "I know it's frustrating that we can’t…” It's okay to just empathize and acknowledge that this year hasn't been fair! Knowing people care and respect feelings is just as important as reframing disappointing thoughts and experiences.
*Adapted from: https://www.mother.ly/child/how-to-help-kids-cope-with-holiday-disappointment-during-covid-19
Tips to Cope with Extended Time at Home
Many of our normal routines have been disrupted, creating a challenge for everyone. Here are some suggestions to keep in mind as we all try to cope, adapted from Partners In Health:1. Social distancing does not mean emotional distancing: USE TECHNOLOGY TO CONNECT WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY.2. Put a schedule in place at home, 7 days a week – don’t go overboard, but make sure there are structured activities and blocks of time. Keep the usual structures intact where you can, particularly for children. Example: if dinnertime for the family is at 6:00PM and bedtime for your children is 8:00PM, keep those as is.3. Exercise and physical activity are important: each day, take a walk or a run, or join an on-line exercise or yoga class.4. Continue learning and intellectual engagement. Many school systems and universities are providing remote learning for their students. But for non-students, try books and reading, documentaries, on-line courses and even music lessons.5. Create positive family time and activities: for instance, set aside time for play and family games, baking and cooking, creative activities like making art or music.6. Don’t isolate (unless medically necessary), but set aside alone time, outside if possible.7. Remember the things you enjoy doing that you can do in this situation, and find a way to do them.8. Limit exposure to screens: define times where it is ok, and times when it is not.9. Remember that humor helps!10. Things will get back to mostly normal eventually. The world is not collapsing.
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Our clinicians practice in accordance with the professional and ethical guidelines of their respective boards and professional organizations.