Personal Growth
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Regarding COVID-19 and CenterLife
Regarding COVID-19 and CenterLife
CenterLife Counseling is open and serving our clients
Most services are conducted via Video-based therapy sessions (TAC – Technology Assisted Counseling)
At this time, limited in-office therapy is available.
This limit will change when the “Stay in Place Order” is removed, allowing us to return to in-office sessions.
Office staff are working remotely to serve you by phone, scheduling, processing payments and answering your questions
Check-in for in-office appointments will be through your therapist
We are in this together!
We at CenterLife Counseling want our clients, therapists and staff to be healthy and safe. With that in mind, we have been responding to the evolving situation by following CDC guidance for providing our services to you. This includes preventative measures related to in-office visits and expanding our capacity forTAC (Technology Assisted Counseling - Online video sessions).
Please join us in doing what is recommended to minimize risk.
- We ask that if you are sick and/or have been exposed to COVID-19 that you call to reschedule your in-office appointments.
- We have asked that our staff and therapists not come into the office if they are sick. You will receive a phone call to cancel and reschedule your appointment if your therapist is sick.
- Staff and therapists are doing extra cleaning of frequently touched hard surfaces.
- If our waiting area has more people in the space than prudent in regards to social distancing, (the number depends on which office) please cooperate with staff suggestions of alternative places to wait for your appointment.
- Please cover your cough or sneeze and wash your hands as needed
- We have contingency plans in place to be able to provide continuity of service to our clients should in-office services be temporarily inadvisable. We will continue to provide in-office sessions unless it becomes inadvisable to do so.
At this time we have no intention of closing down our offices. We are part of the essential health services needed for our community to deal with the impact of COVID-19 and mental health services have a responsbility to keep service accessible as best we can.
Technology Assisted Counseling (Counseling via secure video connection)
Some of our therapists have been offering Technology Assisted Counseling Services (TAC – video counseling) for a long time and others are setting up to do so. Therapists providing TAC use HIPAA and insurance compliant video platforms and procedures that are easy to access and use. While online video sessions may feel quite different than the usual face to face sessions in our office, research suggests that clients usually adjust fairly quickly.
Please note that:
- Video counseling is not suitable for every client. Some clients have clinical conditions that cannot be treated using an online mode of service. This will be assessed by the therapist.
- Telehealth requires a special informed consent form as well as our usual paperwork: You should carefully read that form before signing it
- Telehealth requires acccess and the ability to use suitable technology as well as a high quality secure internet conndection
- Telehealth requires a current email address or access to texting
- Some of our therapists have decided not to offer TAC
- Some of our therapists are providing both in-office sessions and as well as TAC
What to expect when you call for a TAC appointment:
- Our staff will schedule you with a therapist who offers TAC appointments
- You will be provided with the direct office phone number of that therapist who will then connect with you to help you understand how to use TAC and how to fill out and return signed forms
- We encourage clients to check with their insruance company for coverage of behavioral health telehealth
- Your therapist will send you a link via email or text so you can connect to your session before your appointment
- We suggest that for your first time using telehealth you give yourself at least 15 minutes before the appointment time to make your computer connection
Insurance Coverage:
Not all insurance benefits cover payment for behavioral health TAC sessions. It is your responsibility to check your policy prior to your first TAC session for insurance coverage. Self-pay can be arranged if needed and is due at the time of service. You are responsible for any payments not billable and/or covered by insurance, just as you are for in office sessions. When you schedule your TAC appointment you will be asked to make payment arrangements with a credit/debit card on file and/or other payment options made available for services rendered by CenterLife Counseling. In compliance with health insurance contracts, CenterLife Counseling cannot waive co-pays or co-insurance amounts.
Cancellation Policy:
If you must cancel or reschedule a TAC appointment, 24-hour advance notice is required, otherwise you will be held financially responsible. Should you cancel or miss a TAC appointment with notification less than 24 hours this will result in a charge of $75.00 for your missed appointment. If clients have more than two cancellations during the course of treatment/therapy the therapist and client may address the need for ongoing therapy. Video counseling sessions should be treated the same as regular in office sessions regarding financial policy.
If you are late getting on the video session, are unable to meet at the scheduled time, your computer is not available or working, you are unable to access a confidential place to talk, or any other variable that would have you not be able to attend the session please know that you will be charged for the session.
Please make the necessary arrangements you need to be available and present for your session with your technology accessible and ready to use.
Scheduling TAC appointments for new and current clients
New Clients:
- When you call for your first appointment
- Please inform our staff if you are currently sick and/or have been exposed to COVID-19 and if so, our staff will help you schedule an appointment that takes into the account the time needed to ensure the safety of yourself and others.
- If telemedicine sessions are available with the therapist you choose, you will be provided with a TELEMEDICINE/TECHNOLOGY ASSISTED COUNSELING (TAC) CONSENT, POLICIES, & AGREEMENT form for your review and completion should you perfer telemedicine sessions versus face to face, in the office sessions.
- You will have to provide a current email address and mobile phone number for communication of the link for your sessions.
- You will have to provide credit card information
Current Clients:
- If you already have a scheduled appointment
- Please inform our staff if you are currently sick or have been exposed to COVID-19 and if so, our staff or your therapist will help you reschedule for a time that ensures the safety of yourself and others.
- If telemedicine sessions are available with the therapist you choose, you will be provided with a TELEMEDICINE/TECHNOLOGY ASSISTED COUNSELING (TAC) CONSENT, POLICIES, & AGREEMENT form for your review and completion should you perfer telemedicine sessions versus face to face, in the office sessions.
- You will have to provide a current email address and moblie phone number for communication of the link for your sessions.
- You will have to provide credit card information