Ripples
Allied Health
Consultancy
Corner Baan Baan & Osborne Streets
PO Box 227 Dapto NSW 2530
For Counselling & Speech Therapy call:
0479 055 023
For Occupational Therapy call:
0421 778 054
For Art Therapy call:
0411 689 598
Telehealth & At Risk Counselling
For any of the following reasons, you may need to socially distance or self quarantine and/or cannot attend your face to face treatment session:
1) You have travelled internationally in the last 14 days
2) You have come in contact with a confirmed COVID-19 case or have developed symptoms
3) You have visited a hot spot in the last 14 days
4) You have flu-syptoms: fever, sore throat, fatigue, cough and shortness of breath, or
5) You are elderly, have serious health conditions or immuno compromised or care for someone who is,
6) You are socially distancing and limiting as much face to face contact as possible.
If you (or your therapist) fall into one or more of these categories please call/text/email us to make video or telelphone counselling arrangments for your next scheduled appointments. We will let you know if your therapist cannot see you face to face. You may also choose to postpone your appointment until you can next attend in person.
Tips for Telehealth
& At Risk Counselling
ROOM SETTING
The environment surrounding you whilst you engage in therapeutic support with your therapist will have a strong impact on what is happening in your body. Consider setting up your video or telephone counselling in the same space each time, that is somewhere where privacy and confidentiality can be maintained (e.g. away from other people) and where you can feel relaxed and comfortable. Being in a room with natural light, possibly a window that looks onto calm, nature scenery would also be ideal. The aroma of scented candles or oils can also be calming.
Props & More
If the natural light is not adequate perhaps a lamp could help. Think about what else you might want in the room, including comfortable chairs, rugs, cushions, fluffly blankets, figet toys, a nice picture to stare at, a table for your warm tea or coffee, or cold drink, your favourite teddy, jumper or scarf. Having a exercise ball and other sensory tools can help as well. Setting up can reduce interruptions, but there's nothing preventing you from grabbing anything you've forgotten and realise you need during the session.
Connection
Downloading the Zoom app prior to your session can help with linking in more smoothly. Ensure that you have the meeting ID or the link to the scheduled appointment. Internet data is needed for Zoom conferencing, as well as either a laptop or phone with webcam and microphone. Headphones may help but not always necessary.
If you do not have these resources, telehealth phone options are also availble.
RELAX
Do not hesitate to negotiate how close and far your practioner sits from the screen to make it easier to read body language and therapeutic responses. Think about setting up some joint rituals that you both engage in to connect at the beginning and end of the session so that it brings you together despite the distance. There are limitations within both the video and telephone counselling platforms which we hope you and your practitioner can work through mutually. Finally, we hope you keep safe and well in your healing journey in this current space.