COVID-19 (CORONA Virus) Information
We are open and offering appointments during the COVID-19 outbreak and will continue to do so as long as we and clients remain well. However, during short 'hard lockdown' periods, in most cases, only telehealth appointments will be available. Reception is available Tuesdays to Fridays, 9.15am to 1.15pm, although these times might vary slightly. Outside these times, please leave a message, either via phone or web, and we will get back to you as soon as we can.
Please do not come to face:face appointments if you have any cold or flu-like symptoms.
Most clinicians are again offering face:face, in addition to telehealth, appointments. However Monica, at this point in time, is continuing to offer telehealth appointments only.
Ballarat Psychological Service is committed to safe practices for all those attending and working in the Practice. To that end, we have determined the following:
Please do not come to face:face appointments if you have any cold or flu-like symptoms.
Most clinicians are again offering face:face, in addition to telehealth, appointments. However Monica, at this point in time, is continuing to offer telehealth appointments only.
Ballarat Psychological Service is committed to safe practices for all those attending and working in the Practice. To that end, we have determined the following:
- Clinicians are continuing to wear face masks
- Clients over the age of 12 are required to wear a face mask at all times in the building
- Social distancing rules apply for the number of people in therapy rooms - maximum of 4 people per room, including your clinician
- Drinking water, magazines and toys have been temporarily removed from the waiting room
- Cloth towels have been replaced by paper towels in bathroom
- High risk hard-surfaces are disinfected regularly through each day.
- Hand sanitiser is available for use in the waiting room, reception and all therapy rooms
Please ensure you maintain social-distance of 1.5m in the waiting room.
As a client, we ask that you do not attend the Practice if:
- you are unwell; or
- you or anyone in your household is awaiting COVID-19 test results
- you are aware you have come in contact with someone who has tested positive to Covid-19; or
- you or anyone in your household has had a positive test result.
In these circumstances, please discuss with your clinician as a telehealth appointment can be arranged.
Also, clients, or their close contacts, who have:
- been to Covid 19 exposure sites in the past 14 days; or
- who work in a workplace seen as high-risk
For our clinicians, it has been agreed that they will not attend the Practice if they are unwell with COVID-19-type symptoms or if they or anyone in their household is awaiting COVID-19 test results or, of course, has had a positive test result to COVID-19. Clinicians will continue to wear a face mask when seeing people face:face.
Please note that it is each individual clinician’s decision whether they offer telehealth or face:face appointments and to whom. Clients who are deemed higher-risk (for example, because of their work situation or where they have travelled) might only have the option of telehealth appointments. This might also be determined by clinician's vulnerability.
Maintaining good mental health during this period
The Australian Psychological Society has publishing a guide to maintaining mental health during periods of isolation. It is available here.
A good resource, in multiple languages, for discussing COVID-19 with children has been prepared by Manuela Molina. It’s available here. The CPPAA also has provided helpful information about helping kids through this time, available here.
Download a helpful explanation on social-distancing for children here.
Ballarat Psychological Service will continue to try to provide service to our clients and the wider community as much as possible. We thank you for your understanding at this difficult and uncertain time.