COVID-19 Statement and Action Plan

 

Effective Date: June 01, 2021

Last Updated: June 01, 2021

​​

Verve Psychotherapy LCSW, PLLC ("us", "we", or "our") provides clinical social work services.

​

We believe that the COVID-19 pandemic is real.

 

We have identified and outlined our priorities below to adjust, navigate, and manage our small business throughout the COVID-19 pandemic & global health crisis. This is not an exhaustive list, and it will always be subject to change as this has become an unpredictable situation.

​

PRIORITIES

• Safety

• Trustworthy Information

• Digital Solutions

• Ongoing Assessment

• Short Term Plans

• Long Term Plans

​

SAFETY

​

Our first priority is to ensure our own safety (i.e., self-care) in addition to the safety of our clients, the community & the general public, and broader society. We reserve all rights to make decisions that we believe will increase the health and wellness of the broader society.

​

TRUSTWORTHY INFORMATION

​

Our decisions depend on the information available to us.

​

We routinely monitor COVID-19 updates, statistics, and guidelines from the following sources:

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

• National Association of Social Workers (NASW)

• U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)

• New York State Department of Health (NYS DOH)

• New York City Department of Health (NYC DOH)

• Johns Hopkins University & Medicine Coronavirus Resource Center (JHUM CRC)

​

DIGITAL SOLUTIONS

​

We live in a digital world. Teletherapy (a.k.a., online therapy, telehealth, telemental health, telepsychology, etc.) has been on the rise for many years. Research shows that internet-based interventions were equally effective when compared to more traditional face to face interventions even before COVID-19. Teletherapy offers many benefits for clients, therapists, and the greater community in general.

​

We would prefer to see each other for therapy face to face in the office. But, COVID-19. Teletherapy keeps us all more safe AND connected at the same time. Actually, we decided to provide services exclusively via teletherapy since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

​

We completed continuing education courses that were designed to prepare us to effectively and ethically provide online psychotherapy services, and we will continue to complete ongoing continuing education courses as per our state licensing requirements.

​

We follow the Standards for Technology in Social Work Practice that were developed in partnership between the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB), the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), and the Clinical Social Work Association (CSWA).

​

ONGOING ASSESSMENT

​

We will continue to monitor the COVID-19 pandemic and make decisions based on the scientific data and professional guidelines that we obtain from the CDC, NASW, SBA, NYS DOH, NYC DOH, and JHUM CRC. Assessment, just like in therapy, does not only happen one time at the beginning. Assessment is an ongoing and active process that happens over time.

​

Our current assessment of the COVID-19 pandemic indicates that it is neither safe nor necessary to provide therapy face to face in the office at this time given our current international, national, regional, and local circumstances.

​

SHORT TERM PLANS

​

We will continue to adhere to guidelines as recommended by the CDC, NASW, SBA, NYS DOH, NYC DOH, and JHUM CRC. We will continue to assess the COVID-19 pandemic and generate appropriate digital solutions that reduce the risk of exposure to COVID-19 for our clients.

​

We encourage the following social, emotional, and behavioral considerations to adjust, navigate, and manage life during the COVID-19 pandemic:

• Wash your hands and use hand sanitizer regularly;

• Wear a face covering or mask when indicated;

• Practice and respect social distancing;

• Get tested for COVID-19 regularly;

• Continue to see your doctor and get follow up care;

• Avoid large social gatherings and non-essential travel;

• Stay virtually connected and otherwise keep a small pod;

• Get vaccinated and encourage others to also get vaccinated;

• Quarantine at home if you have symptoms and contact your doctor;

• Call 311 if you need a doctor; Call 911 for an emergency. 

​

LONG TERM PLANS

​

We will provide clinical social work services exclusively online, virtually, and remotely. Our vision may change over time.

 

We will review our COVID-19 Statement and Action Plan monthly.

​

We have a contingency plan in place to contact our clients with updates in case of any COVID-19 emergency that we may experience ourselves.

​

​