COVID-19 Information for Penny's Clients
Understandably, COVID-19 virus is causing concern in the community, and across Australia. As the situation evolves, my practice at the Westside Specialist Centre is closely following advice from the Australian Psychological Society (APS), Queensland Health and the Department of Health in relation to management and containment. While government mandates continue to require masks in healthcare settings, I will not be able to offer you the option of face to face sessions as masks will impede the therapy process. However, you will have the option to continue with your telehealth (phone or video conference) sessions. I have found that all the therapy modalities I offer, including EMDR, continue to be effective via video telehealth sessions.
Medicare rebates for telehealth items are available if you have a Mental Health Care Plan.
Please let us know when confirming the appointment if you will having a phone or video session.
When I return to the office and face to face sessions, we will still need to take precautions for COVID. If you had planned to attend the office, but on the day of your appointment, you meet ANY of the criteria below, please do not attend in person, just let us know you will be having a telehealth appointment instead.
Criteria for switching from face to face to Telehealth appointment on the day:
When you attend our centre:
Please do not be offended if our staff and clinicians maintain a distance (1.5 m) from you and do not shake your hand.
Please assist us with physical distancing at all times. This will be facilitated by asking you to enter my office and seat yourself before me, and allowing me to open the door and exit the office before you at the end of the session.
We kindly ask that you bring your own pens to fill in any paperwork and wash your hands or use hand sanitizer before and after your appointment. Bathrooms are also in close proximity of our office, where soap is readily available.
If you require further clarification of the above, please phone my friendly secretary on 3878 1222 between 9am and 4pm on weekdays. Please call during these hours to organise payments and appointments. If our secretary is not available to take your payment on the day of your appointment, please phone her the following day.
Telehealth Options
See these links for telehealth fees, Privacy and Equipment issues, and tips for getting the most out of your telehealth session.
Note that GP's are also doing GP Mental Health Care Plans and reviews via Telehealth so you do not need to risk your safety by visiting them in person.
Looking after yourself & others
The Queensland Government is partnering with the Australian Red Cross, to ensure people have access to support during their period of self-quarantine. This service includes a regular telephone call to check-in on the person’s wellbeing and to identify any practical support they may need help with. For example, organising the delivery of groceries, access to educational materials, replacement of medications etc.
Best wishes, stay connected to each other and stay safe.
Medicare rebates for telehealth items are available if you have a Mental Health Care Plan.
Please let us know when confirming the appointment if you will having a phone or video session.
When I return to the office and face to face sessions, we will still need to take precautions for COVID. If you had planned to attend the office, but on the day of your appointment, you meet ANY of the criteria below, please do not attend in person, just let us know you will be having a telehealth appointment instead.
Criteria for switching from face to face to Telehealth appointment on the day:
- Have you travelled anywhere overseas or in an Australian hotspot within the last 14 days OR
- Are you suffering fever and flu-like symptoms, i.e. sore throat, cough, shortness of breath and/or fatigue OR
- Do you have a close or casual contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19 OR
- Are you or a close contact awaiting results of COVID-19 testing
When you attend our centre:
Please do not be offended if our staff and clinicians maintain a distance (1.5 m) from you and do not shake your hand.
Please assist us with physical distancing at all times. This will be facilitated by asking you to enter my office and seat yourself before me, and allowing me to open the door and exit the office before you at the end of the session.
We kindly ask that you bring your own pens to fill in any paperwork and wash your hands or use hand sanitizer before and after your appointment. Bathrooms are also in close proximity of our office, where soap is readily available.
If you require further clarification of the above, please phone my friendly secretary on 3878 1222 between 9am and 4pm on weekdays. Please call during these hours to organise payments and appointments. If our secretary is not available to take your payment on the day of your appointment, please phone her the following day.
Telehealth Options
See these links for telehealth fees, Privacy and Equipment issues, and tips for getting the most out of your telehealth session.
Note that GP's are also doing GP Mental Health Care Plans and reviews via Telehealth so you do not need to risk your safety by visiting them in person.
Looking after yourself & others
- The APS has developed an information sheet outlining strategies to cope with stress or anxiety experienced due to the COVID-19 outbreak, with an additional guide specifically for older adults.
- The APS has developed an an information sheet with tips to managing mental health whilst social distancing and self isolating.
- The APS has developed a tip sheet for managing Lockdown Fatigue and Coping during COVID-19 when not everyone will ‘do the right thing’. There are also tips for Coming to terms with the 'new normal' and Frontline workers and COVID-19
- The Reachout website has 10 tips for looking after yourself during this pandemic.
- An Australian Guide, based on input from CBT experts around the world, was developed in 2020 specifically to help with the COVID-19 pandemic. It covers resources and strategies for coping with all aspects of COVID-19, including unemployment and economic uncertainty, working from home, and suggestions for increasing exercise and social interactions within the constraints of lockdowns.
The Queensland Government is partnering with the Australian Red Cross, to ensure people have access to support during their period of self-quarantine. This service includes a regular telephone call to check-in on the person’s wellbeing and to identify any practical support they may need help with. For example, organising the delivery of groceries, access to educational materials, replacement of medications etc.
- People who are self-quarantined may call 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84) for further advice and to register for support. Staff at 13 HEALTH can connect people through to a local public health unit and other health support services.
- Visit the Qld Health website for additional resources and current advice with regards to the COVID-19 situation -click on this link.
- You can also call the Australian Government's National Coronavirus Helpline on 1800 020 080, if you have any questions or concerns.
- Westside Specialist Centre will continue to monitor advice from the APS, Department of Health and Qld Health, and will keep you informed of any developments or changes.
Best wishes, stay connected to each other and stay safe.