Health and Wellness Policy

Updated August 14, 2023: Based on current reporting of increased circulating virus in the community (see Canadian Covid-19 Hazard Index and this Globe and Mail article for more information), masking is currently required for all in-person sessions.

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Oakwood Clinical Counselling works, among other people, with clients experiencing energy-limiting conditions, chronic illness, and other forms of disability. As such, it is important that the counselling space is safe enough and accessible for all clients. My health and wellness policies are also part of my commitment to providing neurodiversity affirming care (see this link for information about increased risks of long term impacts from SARS-Cov-2 in neurodivergent people). These health and safety policies also ensure that I can remain healthy to provide ongoing counselling to you and every other client in my practice. Finally, research does indicate that infection with SARS-Cov-2 presents risks for psychiatric complications in the weeks and months after an infection (see this Open Access article from The Lancet), and it is important to me that my office be a place of healing from these concerns, rather than a place of risk. For all these reasons, I have developed the following Health and Wellness Policies. 

 

The office space has a robust ventilation system, which was checked by C02 detector. In addition, there are two air purifiers that will be running at all times, including when I am alone in the office. 

 

Masking is an important way that I can provide safe and accessible services for all clients. During times of high circulating virus in the community, I ask all clients to mask. During seasons when the level of respiratory virus circulating is lower, masks will be optional, though clients will always be free to request masking for all parties in the session. I also operate with the "See a Mask, Wear a Mask" philosophy, meaning that if you arrive wearing a mask during a time when masks are optional in my practice, I will assume it is your preference that I also mask as well. This Health and Wellness Policy page is updated regularly to reflect whether masking is required.

 

Year-round, all clients will be asked to complete a pre-visit screening the morning of their session to screen for symptoms of illness and, in times when masks are not universally required, to determine if the specific situation might require masking.

 

For some, coming into the office will feel like an unacceptable risk to their health. It is true that, despite these mitigations, I cannot guarantee safety from exposure at my office. Video and phone sessions will always be offered as an option, and I will always hold the first session of the day for clients who need to be proactive about their health protections. If you have any additional questions or concerns about my Health and Wellness Policies, please feel free to reach out.

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