The Center for Health and Coping Policy for COVID-19 Pandemic

The Center for Health and Coping is doing everything possible to protect the health and safety of our clients, our therapists, and prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Our offices have been closed since March 3, 2020, and we are currently holding no appointments at the office. However, we are providing all of our usual outpatient psychotherapy services without disruption or delay. All of our therapeutic services are being provided by telehealth, using online video software that is HIPAA compliant and protects clients’ confidentiality. Our therapists are skilled and creative using online video formats for individual, couple, family, and group psychotherapy, ensuring that the therapy experience is comparable to an office visit, and with the same outstanding effectiveness.

All services will continue in video remote telehealth formats, until it becomes safe to reopen the office. The Center for Health and Coping will decide when to open the office based on scientific evidence about viral transmission risk. The State’s color-coded guidelines for economic reopening do not adequately consider all relevant scientific information about viral transmission risk, and do not fully consider important details of specific businesses that impact viral risk, such as size of office space, air ventilation, duration of time in shared space for appointments. For that reason, the Center for Health and Coping offices may remain closed longer than Pennsylvania’s risk status changes to different “green” levels. The Center for Health and Coping will continue to provide services in online video telehealth formats, and the office will remain closed as long as the following are necessary for safety:

    • Social distancing of 6 feet or more from others.
    • Wearing facial masks (which interfere with full communication during therapy).
    • Repeated cleaning of office space between appointments (which takes time and reduces hours available for services).

For the time that these measures are required for public health and personal safety, online video telehealth services will be safer, and more effective than holding appointments in our office. Your therapist will be glad to discuss any concerns, and will keep you updated about the timing of plans to reopen the office.