10/18/2020
🍂a note to our Many Moons clients🍂
Although the pandemic impacts many aspects of our daily lives, we have never been more committed to providing meaningful, creative, and strengths-based therapy experiences, both in-person and via telehealth. We continue to uphold the accommodations that were implemented back in March:
1.) flexible appointment scheduling to minimize client flow and family cross-over
2.) addition of two private outdoor therapy spaces (now with heaters ♨︎) for non-mask-wearing therapy sessions
3.) thorough office hygiene and unlimited access to masks, gloves, and sanitizer for staff, clients and families
4.) financial accommodations, such as waiving late cancellation fees, ease of remote payments, adjustments to out-of-pocket costs
5.) innovative telehealth directives, technology and skills to improve your remote therapy experience
As the weather grows colder, we need to update our Operating Policies & Procedures during the COVID-19 Pandemic. We hope that our diligence and preparedness will provide the needed scaffolding for continued access to in-person services. The most notable adjustments/changes to our previous policy are:
Use of our Waiting Room: After 7 months of starting & ending sessions in the driveway, we have now re-opened our waiting room. The cold weather makes greeting clients outside more uncomfortable. And parents waiting in their idling cars (for the duration of their child’s appt) is unreasonable. Our waiting room can accommodate only 3 people so we ask that, whenever possible, you opt for dropping off/picking up rather than waiting, especially if you have younger children in tow (this will help reduce additional sanitizing!). We are continuing to require mask-wearing while inside the building, which includes while sitting in the waiting room.
Readiness to Shift to Telehealth: In the event that one of our staff or an attending client tests positive for the coronavirus, we have an action plan for communication, telehealth access, and safe return to in-person services. Please be assured that this has *not* happened for any staff or clients, to this point. However, we want to be ready. Our plan is to follow all CDC recommendations, as there are many variables in addressing a possible exposure. We are prepared for the most cautious possible instructions: closing the entire office for 14 days, contract tracing and confirmed negative test results of all staff. And you will receive clinical support if your therapist is too ill to provide telehealth.
Many Moons is a place of support, creativity and empowerment. We strive to uphold these intentions, especially during a time of confusion and uncertainty. We are proud to be members of Maine’s essential workforce and caring for the emotional well-being of our community. You can always reach out to us with questions, concerns and of course, for emotional support. That’s what we are here for!
Warmly,
Stephanie, Jessica, Sarah and Bailey
(and Mister Rogers & Van Gogh 😸😸)
OPERATING POLICIES & PROCEDURES DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
Many Moons Psychotherapy Services, Inc.
Implemented: May 2020
Revised: June 2020, August 2020, October 2020
Required Mask/Face Covering when Inside the Office: Many Moons requires all clinicians, clients, and families to wear a face covering when inside the building. This includes the waiting room and throughout the duration of your *indoor* therapy session. If you would like to have a non-mask-wearing, in-person session, we have 2 outdoor office spaces available, equipped with art supplies, lights and heaters.
We understand that mask wearing can be an uncomfortable, anxiety-provoking experience. However, since any of us could be an asymptomatic carrier, it is best for us to protect one another. Our staff and most of our clients are expanding their "social bubble”, traveling outside of Maine, and participating in community programming- all of which increases possible exposure.
Symptom Screening & Travel Disclosure: Many Moons requires you and your family to follow all state, federal and CDC guidelines for health, exposure and travel quarantine/isolation recommendations. Prior to an appt, please make sure to:
1.) conduct a self-check for symptoms and switch to telehealth if experiencing covid-related symptoms
2.) disclose recent travel to your clinician and switch to telehealth if quarantine is indicated
Maintain Physical Distancing: Please maintain distance of 6 feet from any other families/clients who may be in the driveway, doorway and waiting room. We have adjusted our scheduling to further reduce foot traffic by reducing the number of in-person appts at any given hour and staggering appt start times.
Frequent Hand Hygiene/Access to PPE: Please sanitize your hands whenever you enter & exit the office building and each time you enter & exit the bathroom. We have implemented frequent cleaning of doorknobs, railings, shared surfaces and art supplies throughout the day. Many Moons employs a professional cleaning service for weekly deep-cleaning. We have enhanced ventilation with newly installed ceiling fans and multiple open windows. We have lots of hand sanitizer, clorox wipes, and single-use masks and gloves. And we have first aid kits available for scenarios that require additional protective measures.
Use of Waiting Room: Our waiting room can accommodate only 3 people at a time. Whenever possible, please drop off/pick up rather than wait, especially if you have younger children in tow (this will help reduce additional sanitizing!). We are continuing to require mask-wearing while inside the building, including while waiting in the waiting room. And we ask that you use hand sanitizer before and after looking at books in our lending library. Through staggered scheduling, we strive to have no-more-than two appointments starting/ending at the same time.
Readiness to Shift to Telehealth: In the event that one of our staff or an attending client tests positive for the coronavirus, we have an action plan for communication, telehealth access, and identified steps to safely return to in-person services. We will provide clinical support if your therapist is too ill to provide telehealth. We are committed to following all CDC recommendations, as there are many variables in addressing a possible exposure. We want to be prepared for the most cautious possible instructions: closing the entire office for 14 days, contract tracing, and confirming negative test results of all staff.
Many Moons is a place of support, creativity and empowerment. We strive to uphold these intentions, especially during a time of confusion and uncertainty. We are proud to be members of Maine’s essential workforce and caring for the emotional well-being of our community. You can always reach out to us with questions, concerns and of course, for emotional support. That’s what we are here for!
