Coping with COVID-19

On March 25, 2020 the Federal Government introduced the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) to support employees and businesses facing hardship due to the pandemic. The CERB would provide $2000 a month for up to four months. This taxable benefit is available to employees who have lost their job, are sick, quarantined, or taking care of someone who is sick with COVID-19, as well as working parents who must stay home without pay to care for children who are sick or at home because of school and daycare closures. The CERB would apply to wage earners, as well as contract workers and self-employed individuals who would not otherwise be eligible for Employment Insurance (EI). Applicants would begin receiving their CERB payments within 10 days of application. The CERB would be paid every four weeks and is available from March 15, 2020 until October 3, 2020.

The CERB replaces the Emergency Care Benefit and Emergency Support Benefit which were announced on March 18, 2020.

For more information on the CERB please see the Federal Government’s announcement online: https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/news/2020/03/introduces-canada-emergency-response-benefit-to-help-workers-and-businesses.html.

If you have the appropriate technology in place and possess the array of competencies that are necessary to engage clients in a safe, effective therapeutic process, an electronic practice may be an option for you to continue to provide care to clients remotely.

Please ensure that you consider issues such as consent, confidentiality, and professional liability insurance.

CCPA launched guidelines for the use of technology in counselling and psychotherapy in May 2018. They may be found here.

The College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario has information to provide guidance on electronic practice available on their website:

Standard 3.4 Electronic Practice

Electronic Practice Guideline

If you are in a regulated province (NS, QC, ON, NB), check the website of your regulator for any additional guidance that may be provided for your province.

CCPA cannot recommend a specific platform because technology is constantly evolving and there are so many options available.   However, we are aware that many practitioners may be considering implementing electronic practice over the short term.

The College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO) has suggested that practitioners visit https://ontariomd.news/. This resource includes a comprehensive list of electronic tools that were developed specifically for ‘video visits’ and other forms of virtual or remote medical practice. The list was put together by the professional association for physicians in this province – the Ontario Medical Association  – and an eHealth delivery partner – OntarioMD – who are working together to support physicians in providing care during the pandemic.

Please note that CCPA cannot attest to the effectiveness or appropriateness of these platforms.

Many factors play an important role in how people and communities respond to illness and manage its spread.

Some people under-respond to the threat of COVID-19. These people think the danger is exaggerated.  Under-responders may not practice good hygiene, and they don’t stay home if they’re sick. Under-responding could spread the infection to family and friends.

Some people over-respond to the threat of COVID-19. These people become highly anxious about the infection and may go to great lengths to keep themselves safe. Over-responding by one person seeds fear in others because fear is contagious.

Listen to the advice of the municipal, provincial and national government if/how COVID-19 is spreading in your area. See the resources below.

Check trusted sources of information:

• Public Health Agency of Canada
• World Health Organization
• Your provincial or local health authorities

Change your habits around washing hands, touching your face, socializing and coughing.

Some degree of concern is reasonable if it leads you to be proactive and take appropriate precautions, like staying home or social distancing, hand washing and sanitizing, and refraining from unnecessary travel.

Keep things in perspective by consulting sources of information that are balanced and evidence-based.

Fear is contagious. If you act frightened or engage in panic buying, then others will react with fear as well. You have a responsibility to your loved ones, friends, and the rest of the community to deal with the COVID-19 outbreak in a sensible, reasoned manner. Try to “lead by example.”

Guidance that is regularly updated from trusted sources:

• Public Health Agency of Canada
• World Health Organization

Look for warning signs such as the following:

• Persistent anxiety, worry, insomnia, or irritability.
• Needlessly avoiding social contacts to the point that you become unnecessarily isolated.
• Persistently checking your body (e.g., taking your temperature many times each day) or persistently seeking reassurance about your health from doctors, friends, family, or the Internet.
• Performing excessive or unnecessary hygiene precautions, such as wearing a facemask at home or repeatedly washing your hands when there is no need to do so.
• Abusing alcohol or drugs, or overeating, as a way of coping with stress.
• Feedback from friends or family that you seem unusually worried or stressed out.