Dear Clients and Future Clients,

 

Given the recent outbreak of COVID-19 (Coronavirus) here in Chicago, Illinois and around the world, I am providing the following basic information and resources about this situation as well as my plan for helping to ensure that all of my clients are able to continue receiving the essential services they need while also taking appropriate and responsible steps to keep them and their friends, family and neighbors safe. As part of this effort, I have been closely following this situation through information posted by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), World Health Organization (WHO) as well as the State of Illinois and City of Chicago to ensure that I am doing everything possible to help ensure the health and safety of all of my clients, our loved ones and our community.

 

For accurate and important information about the Corona Virus (COVID-19) and how to keep yourself, your loved ones and the most vulnerable members of our community safe, please refer to the following resources and/or directly contact your local physician, hospital or clinic if you are experiencing symptoms of illness and/or believe you have contracted the illness:

 

Centers for Disease Control:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

 

World Health Organization:

https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019

 

Governor Pritzker:

https://twitter.com/GovPritzker/status/1238869558473240582/photo/1

 

City of Chicago:

https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/sites/covid-19/home.html

 

The Situation and Plan:

At this time, it is normal for people to be experiencing higher than typical levels of stress, anxiety, and/or panic during this time. While it is important that we are cautious and wise in protecting ourselves and the most vulnerable members of our society; it is also important to understand that stress, anxiety and panic do not result in preventing the contraction and/or transmission of the virus, but rather increased levels of stress, anxiety and panic have been shown to negatively impact our immune system functioning, which makes people more susceptible to any form of illness and can also negatively impact our thoughts, feelings and actions in ways that can interfere with doing the things that increase our ability to stay healthy and safe during difficult times. As such, an important part of helping my clients and future clients take care of their overall health and safety during this time includes continuing to provide services to all clients at their normal frequency, or more often if needed or requested, in order to help my clients address the particular challenges facing them during this difficult time. That being said, because carriers of the virus may not be symptomatic, there is no real way for anybody who hasn't been recently tested for COVID-19 to know if they're currently carrying the virus, which is why following the guidance of the CDC and WHO is so important. Additionally, many of Chicagoans who have regular contact with those most vulnerable to the effects of the virus, such as infants, the elderly and persons with compromised autoimmune systems, which means that even if we never develop symptoms of the illness, we may unwittingly infect these vulnerable populations with a serious or potentially fatal illness. As such, I am requesting that clients temporarily, until the outbreak is contained as noted by the CDC and WHO, to continue meeting with me for their regularly scheduled therapy sessions using online Tele-Therapy Technology. For new clients and those hoping to begin services with me, I strongly encourage you to go ahead and schedule and/or keep your initially scheduled appointments with me, especially given that there is some degree of uncertainty regarding the time-frame for being able to resume in-person services and that delaying healthcare treatment is strongly discouraged by all healthcare professionals, regardless of presenting symptoms, issues or concerns. As a thank you to my clients for responding to this situation with such understanding, patience and flexibility, my scheduling options will be more flexible and accommodating during this time. That said, repeated last minute cancellations and rescheduling are  problematic as they interfere with my ability to meet the healthcare needs of my clients and those seeking my services in our community, which means that my 24 hour advanced notice policy for all non-emergency scheduling changes remains in effect. If you have any questions or concerns about how tele-therapy specifically or therapy in general works, please don't hesitate to contact me directly for more information and help finding solutions to make sure that you can receive the care and services you need. Please keep in mind that this situation is expected to only be temporary, especially if people in our community and nation respond responsibly to this situation, and that we will be able to resume in-person sessions as soon as the aforementioned governing agencies indicate that it is safe to do so. If you have any friends, family and/or neighbors who are struggling right now with issues related or unrelated to the current pandemic, please do not hesitate to share my contact information with them as I aim to help as many people as possible through this difficult time. Again, thank you all for your understanding, patience and flexibility regarding this difficult situation and our shared responsibility to take care of ourselves, our loved ones, and the most vulnerable members of our society!

 

To manage scheduling, billing and client information and documents online: please take advantage of our online client portal. If you have additional questions, issues or concerns that can't be addressed through the portal or are experiencing issues using the online portal, please do not hesitate to reach out to me directly and I will help you resolve any issues that you may be facing. The easiest way for clients to access or create their online client portal account is by using the following link: https://tenacity.mytheranest.com/home/login If you need to reach me directly, the best method for doing so is via my work cell phone number, which is: (872) 808-0285.

 

Genuinely,

 

Josiah Miller, PsyD

Licensed Clinical Psychologist

Practice Owner and Director

Tenacity Psychological Services, LLC

Cell: (872) 808-0285