COVID-19 Updates
May 1, 2021 Update: Johnson County Resolution STRONGLY RECOMMENDS Face Masks
On April 29, the Board of County Commissioners authorized Resolution No. 032-32 that establishes public health recommendations to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in our county.
According to the resolution, the BOCC strongly recommends the following actions be taken, when and wherever possible or feasible, to slow and reduce the spread of COVID-19 within Johnson County:
My clients have a variety of comfort levels, health conditions, family situations, and preferences when it comes to the issue of wearing a mask. In accord with the updated Johnson County resolution, I will no longer require, but strongly encourage clients to wear face coverings during our sessions. I see many clients during the week, and each client's well-being is a first priority for me. Consequently, to assure all of my clients I will at this time continue to wear a mask during our sessions. If you have a strong preference or a health condition where not wearing a mask is more comfortable for you, then please feel free at this time to not wear a mask during our sessions. Otherwise, continued use of a face covering is appreciated as hopefully we can finally curb the spread of COVID and get back to normal!
Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.
Thanks!
Mike
According to the resolution, the BOCC strongly recommends the following actions be taken, when and wherever possible or feasible, to slow and reduce the spread of COVID-19 within Johnson County:
- Eligible individuals be vaccinated against COVID-19.
- Individuals wear masks or face coverings within indoor public spaces.
- Businesses and organizations strongly encourage or require customers, visitors, employees, and other invitees to wear masks or face coverings in indoor public spaces.
- Individuals within a public space maintain 6 feet of physical distancing from other individuals, unless such individuals reside together or are known to each other.
- Businesses and organizations strongly encourage or require customers, visitors, employees, and other invitees to maintain 6 feet of physical distancing from other individuals in public spaces, unless such individuals reside together or are known to each other.
- Businesses and organizations adopt and apply additional mitigation strategies and practices to reduce the spread of COVID-19 that are appropriate for and take into consideration their respective operations and activities.
- Individuals, businesses, and organizations follow the current and continuing guidance and recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, the Johnson County Department of Health and Environment, and the Johnson County Local Health Officer to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
My clients have a variety of comfort levels, health conditions, family situations, and preferences when it comes to the issue of wearing a mask. In accord with the updated Johnson County resolution, I will no longer require, but strongly encourage clients to wear face coverings during our sessions. I see many clients during the week, and each client's well-being is a first priority for me. Consequently, to assure all of my clients I will at this time continue to wear a mask during our sessions. If you have a strong preference or a health condition where not wearing a mask is more comfortable for you, then please feel free at this time to not wear a mask during our sessions. Otherwise, continued use of a face covering is appreciated as hopefully we can finally curb the spread of COVID and get back to normal!
Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.
Thanks!
Mike
July 3, 2020 Update: Kansas Governor Executive Order REQUIRES Face Masks
Dear Clients,
In response to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, including a recent spike in COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and deaths, beginning July 3, 2020, by Executive Order, Kansas Governor Laura Kelly has required that masks or other face covering be worn in public. The Johnson County Board of Commissioners has also voted to support and uphold the mask requirement. This mask requirement will remain in force until rescinded, and may be modified as circumstances dictate.
This new order enables us to continue to meet in-office for face-to-face sessions, however, both myself and clients are now required to wear a mask or other face covering. In light of this Executive Order, my previous “face mask preference” policy is no longer in effect and we now must abide by the face mask requirement.
For clients who prefer to not wear a face mask, I do continue to offer teletherapy as an alternative option to in-office sessions. You may find further information about teletherapy as an option in my original update posted below.
As always, please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.
Thank you!
Mike
In response to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, including a recent spike in COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and deaths, beginning July 3, 2020, by Executive Order, Kansas Governor Laura Kelly has required that masks or other face covering be worn in public. The Johnson County Board of Commissioners has also voted to support and uphold the mask requirement. This mask requirement will remain in force until rescinded, and may be modified as circumstances dictate.
This new order enables us to continue to meet in-office for face-to-face sessions, however, both myself and clients are now required to wear a mask or other face covering. In light of this Executive Order, my previous “face mask preference” policy is no longer in effect and we now must abide by the face mask requirement.
For clients who prefer to not wear a face mask, I do continue to offer teletherapy as an alternative option to in-office sessions. You may find further information about teletherapy as an option in my original update posted below.
As always, please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.
Thank you!
Mike
June 1, 2020 Update: Re-Opening
Dear Clients,
Our county is now in the midst of a phased reopening in response to the Coronavirus pandemic. All along our office has remained open as mental health counseling is considered an essential activity. Nevertheless, in addition to in-office services I continue to offer online Teletherapy services for those who desire this option. Please see the original March 31 post below to understand the precautions that we continue to take for our in-office counseling services, as well as the details of the online Teletherapy option.
In addition to the precautions noted below for our in-office counseling services, I also now have in place a "face mask preference" policy. I do not ordinarily wear a face mask during sessions; however, clients are encouraged to wear a face mask if that is their preference. I am also very happy to wear a face mask (N95) for any client that prefers that I do so--please do not hesitate to make this request of me in advance of your session if that is your preference. Please do understand, however, when you come into the office waiting room or common hallway, you may have a brief moment when you are near someone who is not wearing a face mask as we are not requiring the use of face masks. We do our best, as noted below, to maintain six feet of distance at all times with the exception of brief moments of movement from one area of the office to another.
Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.
Thank you!
Mike
Our county is now in the midst of a phased reopening in response to the Coronavirus pandemic. All along our office has remained open as mental health counseling is considered an essential activity. Nevertheless, in addition to in-office services I continue to offer online Teletherapy services for those who desire this option. Please see the original March 31 post below to understand the precautions that we continue to take for our in-office counseling services, as well as the details of the online Teletherapy option.
In addition to the precautions noted below for our in-office counseling services, I also now have in place a "face mask preference" policy. I do not ordinarily wear a face mask during sessions; however, clients are encouraged to wear a face mask if that is their preference. I am also very happy to wear a face mask (N95) for any client that prefers that I do so--please do not hesitate to make this request of me in advance of your session if that is your preference. Please do understand, however, when you come into the office waiting room or common hallway, you may have a brief moment when you are near someone who is not wearing a face mask as we are not requiring the use of face masks. We do our best, as noted below, to maintain six feet of distance at all times with the exception of brief moments of movement from one area of the office to another.
Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.
Thank you!
Mike
March 23, 2020 Update: 30-Day “Stay at Home” Public Health Order Issued for Johnson County
Dear Clients,
On March 22, 2020, an Emergency Public Health Order was issued to mitigate the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) epidemic in Johnson County, Kansas. This public health order directs individuals to stay at home to slow the rate of community spread of COVID-19 through intensified social distancing. The order is for 30 days from March 24, 2020 through April 23, 2020, unless sooner amended, superseded, or rescinded.
Individuals are permitted to leave their home only to perform “Essential Activities”: mental health counseling is considered an essential activity and our counseling office is considered an “Essential Business” according to this order.
Therefore, at the present time I am continuing to offer in-office counseling services. HOWEVER, many of my clients are transitioning to online video teletherapy and it has worked very well. I am encouraging clients to take advantage of the teletherapy option wherever feasible. Research shows that teletherapy sessions can be just as effective as in-person appointments. Following is additional information on both in-office and teletherapy options.
IN-OFFICE Counseling Services
TELETHERAPY Counseling Services
My top priority is to continue to provide as seamlessly as possible all of my clients the counseling services they need especially during these challenging and ever-changing days. Teletherapy allows us to continue to meet for our sessions while having no risk of spreading the coronavirus. While the “Stay at Home” order allows us to continue to meet for in-office sessions as outlined above, I am nevertheless encouraging clients to transition to teletherapy wherever feasible.
The teletherapy system I use is confidential, HIPAA compliant, and very easy to use. Just before your scheduled appointment, all you have to do is follow the link below on your Chrome or Fire Fox browser, and it should also work on your android or Apple phone browser (you can go ahead and check it now):
https://doxy.me/mikewardmft
There is nothing to download. The link takes you to a secure teletherapy webpage where you are asked to enter your first name, you are then prompted to give permission to activate your camera and microphone for the teletherapy session (we can also choose to turn the camera off if you wish). Once you have completed these simple steps you are in my virtual "waiting room." When I am notified that you are waiting, I will come in on video for our regular session.
Please let me know if you would like to change your in-person counseling session to a teletherapy session. Please be aware, if you ordinarily submit your sessions for reimbursement to your insurance for out-of-network coverage, you may want to check if your insurance will cover "teletherapy" or "telemedicine" sessions (some policies may not reimburse for this). It is my understanding that most all insurance companies ARE handling teletherapy sessions just as they would in-office sessions, however, you may still want to check with your insurance company if this is a concern.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me (use the “Contact Me” page on this site, or call me at 913-940-2051); if we do not connect immediately, I will respond as quickly as possible. With the many uncertainties that surround us, this is a stressful time. I want you to know that I am seeking every way possible to flexibly meet your needs and continue our meetings uninterrupted, while at the same time doing our small part to responsibly bring this global pandemic to an end.
Wishing you good health,
Mike
On March 22, 2020, an Emergency Public Health Order was issued to mitigate the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) epidemic in Johnson County, Kansas. This public health order directs individuals to stay at home to slow the rate of community spread of COVID-19 through intensified social distancing. The order is for 30 days from March 24, 2020 through April 23, 2020, unless sooner amended, superseded, or rescinded.
Individuals are permitted to leave their home only to perform “Essential Activities”: mental health counseling is considered an essential activity and our counseling office is considered an “Essential Business” according to this order.
Therefore, at the present time I am continuing to offer in-office counseling services. HOWEVER, many of my clients are transitioning to online video teletherapy and it has worked very well. I am encouraging clients to take advantage of the teletherapy option wherever feasible. Research shows that teletherapy sessions can be just as effective as in-person appointments. Following is additional information on both in-office and teletherapy options.
IN-OFFICE Counseling Services
- If YOU have symptoms of fever, coughing, or shortness of breath, DO NOT come to your scheduled in-person counseling session (whether or not you believe your symptoms are the result of the coronavirus); phone your doctor’s office and follow their advice as to how to proceed. We can shift or reschedule your appointment to a teletherapy session. Do not worry about the customary late cancel fee if your symptoms become evident to you less than 24-hours before your appointment; the late fee will be fully waived even if the cancellation is last minute due to possible virus symptoms;
- If I MYSELF develop symptoms of fever, coughing, or shortness of breath, or receive a medical recommendation to self-quarantine, I WILL cancel our scheduled in-person counseling session with as much notice to you as possible and I will transition all sessions to teletherapy;
- I am taking the following precautions at the office:
- Regular cleaning of frequent-touch surfaces such as doors and doorknobs, light switches, handles, tables, etc., and spraying of chairs, couches and cushions with disinfectant such as Lysol;
- Hand sanitizer will be available in the waiting room for client use; during this time as a precaution we are eliminating handshakes;
- I have a 30-minute space between client sessions to eliminate the possibility of more than one of my clients being in the waiting room at the same time. Occasionally there is the possibility that one of my colleagues may have a client in the waiting room at the same time as yourself. However, the two groups of chairs in the waiting room are more than six feet distance from one another (the recommended social distance). Additionally, rarely will you be kept in the waiting room more than one minute after your scheduled appointment time with me (further minimizing or eliminating your time or contact with others in the waiting room);
- Within my counseling room itself, we are generally able to maintain the recommended six-foot social distance. There is greater than a six-foot distance between myself and anyone sitting on the couch, the distance between my chair and someone sitting in the other chair in my office is right at six feet. When entering and exiting the office or hallway we may have a brief moment when we are less than six feet apart. In the case of couples or families in a conjoint counseling session you will be less than six feet away from your family member.
TELETHERAPY Counseling Services
My top priority is to continue to provide as seamlessly as possible all of my clients the counseling services they need especially during these challenging and ever-changing days. Teletherapy allows us to continue to meet for our sessions while having no risk of spreading the coronavirus. While the “Stay at Home” order allows us to continue to meet for in-office sessions as outlined above, I am nevertheless encouraging clients to transition to teletherapy wherever feasible.
The teletherapy system I use is confidential, HIPAA compliant, and very easy to use. Just before your scheduled appointment, all you have to do is follow the link below on your Chrome or Fire Fox browser, and it should also work on your android or Apple phone browser (you can go ahead and check it now):
https://doxy.me/mikewardmft
There is nothing to download. The link takes you to a secure teletherapy webpage where you are asked to enter your first name, you are then prompted to give permission to activate your camera and microphone for the teletherapy session (we can also choose to turn the camera off if you wish). Once you have completed these simple steps you are in my virtual "waiting room." When I am notified that you are waiting, I will come in on video for our regular session.
Please let me know if you would like to change your in-person counseling session to a teletherapy session. Please be aware, if you ordinarily submit your sessions for reimbursement to your insurance for out-of-network coverage, you may want to check if your insurance will cover "teletherapy" or "telemedicine" sessions (some policies may not reimburse for this). It is my understanding that most all insurance companies ARE handling teletherapy sessions just as they would in-office sessions, however, you may still want to check with your insurance company if this is a concern.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me (use the “Contact Me” page on this site, or call me at 913-940-2051); if we do not connect immediately, I will respond as quickly as possible. With the many uncertainties that surround us, this is a stressful time. I want you to know that I am seeking every way possible to flexibly meet your needs and continue our meetings uninterrupted, while at the same time doing our small part to responsibly bring this global pandemic to an end.
Wishing you good health,
Mike