OUR STATUS
During the current COVID-19 pandemic, we will be updating this page as often as new information arises.
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Our agency will follow the most strict recommendations from medical professionals and informed scientists, as well as local health officials, regarding social distancing, essential service providers, and necessary recommendations to keep our clients and staff safe and healthy.
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Our office will begin reopening for individual sessions for current clients on May 26, 2020.
Group therapy and Drug/Alcohol Testing have resumed to in-office services with some restrictions.
We are continuing with Telehealth Services for any clients that want or need to remain at home during this time. All of our services have been updated to an online, Telehealth format. Services for new and current clients will continue through these methods. At this time, new clients will only be seen via Telehealth.
Protecting the health and safety of everyone in Idaho is extremely important to us! Our essential staff has been working, either from home or in the office, in order to continue providing services to all clients during this difficult time.
ALL services have resumed to in-office and in-person for current clients.
Tour our site for additional information. All clients are welcome to continue with services via Telehealth, when scheduled in advance.
All of our services have resumed under the recommended guidelines of the CDC.
We will continue to update you on any changes or with further information as it becomes available to us. Please check back any time.
CLIENT NEWS & UPDATES
DRUG/ALCOHOL TESTING
Are you a current client looking for Color Code testing information? The Details link below has all the info.
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COVID-19: Get updated on the temporary changes to our drug testing procedures!
If you are a current client engaging in our Treatment services, login to your Client Account for all the details.
TREATMENT ASSIGNMENTS
As one of the most tech-advanced counseling agencies in Idaho, we truly believe that counseling does not have to be the way it's always been! You don't even have to come to our office because using the smartphone app is just as easy!
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We have duplicated our paper and pen SUD Treatment assignments into a virtual group room. If you need access and have not received your invitation, please contact your case manager today!
TELEHEALTH SERVICES
Aura Counseling & Wellness has been providing Telehealth Therapy since early 2019. So this is nothing new to us! We use a confidential, secure, HIPAA protected, and easy to use Telehealth platform.
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All services provided by a counselor or case manager can be provided to you via live, 2-way, video conferencing. Please use the link below if you have already been scheduled with an appointment and need to get set up.
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COVID-19: It's times like these that everyone could use a little therapy! So we have done our very best to ensure that our clients don't go without all the help and resources we have to offer, when they need it the most.
COVID-19 RESOURCES & INFO
IDAHO REBOUND PHASES
IDAHO ASSISTANCE RESOURCES
STAY AT HOME ORDER
May 1, 2020
Idaho coronavirus updates: Gov. Little issues a plan & regulations to re-open businesses in Idaho.
March 29, 2020
Search here to review the resources that Idaho put into place for those in need during this unprecedented time.
March 25, 2020
Idaho Governor issues Stay At Home Order - to protect all Idahoans
CONTINUED SERVICES AROUNDÂ COVID-19
Advances in Technology Bring Therapy to You
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What is Telehealth?
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) define it as “a two-way, real-time interactive communication between a patient and a physician or practitioner at a distant site through telecommunications equipment that includes, at a minimum, audio and visual equipment.”
Aura Counseling and Wellness has been providing Telehealth Services since this option was approved by The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, in early 2019. This service helps individuals to obtain much needed mental health and substance use disorder services even if they are unable to or struggle with seeking in-person therapy services. We provide individual and group therapy from your location to ours. Review our policies & procedures for Telehealth Services & the requirements to engage in this service on the Forms page.
That means that all Telehealth Sessions will include an audio and video component. Aura Counseling and Wellness has a video conferencing platform that is secure and covers all client confidentiality requirements under HIPAA laws.
RETURN TO IN-PERSON SERVICES
What We Are Doing to Return & Keep You Safe
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Individual Sessions & UA Testing
Our office will begin reopening for individual sessions for current clients on May 26, 2020.
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Group therapy has resumed to in-person at our main office with some restrictions.
Drug/Alcohol UA testing will resume with some restrictions.
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We are continuing with Telehealth services for those that may want or need to engage via this format for most services. All of our services have been updated to an online, Telehealth format. Services for new and current clients will continue through these methods. At this time, new clients will only be seen via Telehealth in order ensure the health and safety of our clients and staff.
YOU MUST...
Wear a Mask
All clients and staff are required to a facial covering, mask, or other approved from of face guard when present within our building.
Please Note:
One mask will be provided to each client however due to the extremely shortage of medical supplies, only ONE will be provided after the first mask is provided, it will be the responsibility of each person to ensure they are wearing a mask during each following visit.
Social Distance
All clients and staff will maintain approximately 6 ft of personal distance from each other when present within our building.
There will be no physical contact with others (ex. shaking hands).
Sanitize
All clients and staff will wash hands or use hand sanitizer upon entering the building and after touching face, coughing, using the restroom, or smoking.
(at a minimum)
Reduce Risk
All clients should take any and all necessary steps to minimize your risk of exposure to COVID-19 or any other contagious virus or public health risks.
Please inform your counselor if you work in a field or job that exposes you to such risks.
Be Patient
All clients will wait outside, while practicing social distancing, or in their vehicle while waiting to test or for an appointment, if there is more than one person in the waiting area.
OTHER PROCEDURES INCLUDE...
We reserve the right to modify, add, and/or enforce all of the policies and guidelines at our own discretion in order to properly protect our clients and staff. Agreeing to follow and uphold these safety precautions are required to participate in any services with our agency. Noncompliance with these precautions could result in an immediate discontinuation of services and/or an immediate return to Telehealth only services.
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You will only keep your in-person appointment if you are symptom free.
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You will take your temperature before coming to each appointment. If it is elevated (100 Fahrenheit or more), or if you have other symptoms of the coronavirus, you agree to cancel the appointment or proceed using Telehealth.
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You will wait in your car or outside [or in a designated waiting area] until no earlier than 5 minutes before our appointment time. If arriving for drug/alcohol testing, you will wait outside or in a designated area if there is a person already waiting or currently testing.
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You will wash your hands or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer when you enter the building.
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You will adhere to the safe distancing precautions we have set up in the waiting room and testing/therapy room. For example, you won’t move chairs or sit where we have signs asking you not to sit.
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You will wear a mask in all areas of the office (All of our staff will too).
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You will keep a distance of 6 feet and there will be no physical contact (e.g. no shaking hands) with any of the staff or other clients.
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You will try not to touch your face or eyes with your hands. If you do, you will immediately wash or sanitize your hands.
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We ask that you do not bring any guests, visitors, and/or children unless they are actively involved in the services you are engaging in for that day. If there is another person involved in your session, YOU will make sure that they follow all of these sanitation and distancing protocols.
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You will take steps between appointments to minimize your exposure to COVID.
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If your commute or other responsibilities or activities put you in close contact with others, you will let a member of our staff know BEFORE scheduling your session/ service.
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If you have a job that exposes you to other people who are infected, you will immediately let a member of our staff know BEFORE scheduling your session/ service.
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If a resident of your home tests positive for the infection, you will immediately let me [and my staff] know and we will then [begin] resume treatment via telehealth.
OTHER PROCEDURES INCLUDE...
We reserve the right to modify, add, and/or enforce all of the policies and guidelines at our own discretion in order to properly protect our clients and staff. Agreeing to follow and uphold these safety precautions are required to participate in any services with our agency. Noncompliance with these precautions could result in an immediate discontinuation of services and/or an immediate return to Telehealth only services.
-
You will only keep your in-person appointment if you are symptom free.
-
You will take your temperature before coming to each appointment. If it is elevated (100 Fahrenheit or more), or if you have other symptoms of the coronavirus, you agree to cancel the appointment or proceed using Telehealth.
-
You will wait in your car or outside [or in a designated waiting area] until no earlier than 5 minutes before our appointment time. If arriving for drug/alcohol testing, you will wait outside or in a designated area if there is a person already waiting or currently testing.
-
You will wash your hands or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer when you enter the building.
-
You will adhere to the safe distancing precautions we have set up in the waiting room and testing/therapy room. For example, you won’t move chairs or sit where we have signs asking you not to sit.
-
You will wear a mask in all areas of the office (All of our staff will too).
-
You will keep a distance of 6 feet and there will be no physical contact (e.g. no shaking hands) with any of the staff or other clients.
-
You will try not to touch your face or eyes with your hands. If you do, you will immediately wash or sanitize your hands.
-
We ask that you do not bring any guests, visitors, and/or children unless they are actively involved in the services you are engaging in for that day. If there is another person involved in your session, YOU will make sure that they follow all of these sanitation and distancing protocols.
-
You will take steps between appointments to minimize your exposure to COVID.
-
If your commute or other responsibilities or activities put you in close contact with others, you will let a member of our staff know BEFORE scheduling your session/ service.
-
If you have a job that exposes you to other people who are infected, you will immediately let a member of our staff know BEFORE scheduling your session/ service.
-
If a resident of your home tests positive for the infection, you will immediately let me [and my staff] know and we will then [begin] resume treatment via telehealth.