Melissa Westendorf – 2-Day: Certified Clinical Telemental Health Provider Training: A Therapist Guide for Ethical, Legal and Technology Concerns when Using Teletherapy

Outline

Research about Telehealth ServicesResearch about Telehealth Services

• Here to stayHere to stay
• It worksIt works
• BenefitsBenefits

Application of Ethical CodesApplication of Ethical Codes

• Psychologists, social workers, professional counselorsPsychologists, social workers, professional counselors
• Building competenceBuilding competence
• Technology appropriateness examplesTechnology appropriateness examples

HIPAAHIPAA

• HIPAA and HITECHHIPAA and HITECH
• HIPAA and small providersHIPAA and small providers
• Violations and why they occurViolations and why they occur

State Law ApplicationsState Law Applications

• State interests for the pros and cons for permitting telehealthState interests for the pros and cons for permitting telehealth
• Cohesive incoherence Cohesive incoherence
  • Examples of statutory guidanceExamples of statutory guidance
• Risk management guidelinesRisk management guidelines
• Interjurisdictional practiceInterjurisdictional practice

Efforts to Improve Telehealth Interjurisdictional PracticeEfforts to Improve Telehealth Interjurisdictional Practice

• PsyPactPsyPact
• OthersOthers
• Checklist of questions to determine if you can practice across statelinesChecklist of questions to determine if you can practice across statelines

Case Examples for Using Various Forms of Telehealth Best practices for telehealthCase Examples for Using Various Forms of Telehealth Best practices for telehealth

• Selecting the appropriate toolsSelecting the appropriate tools
• Utilizing ATA guidelines Utilizing ATA guidelines
  • Clinical – patient and setting appropriatenessClinical – patient and setting appropriateness
  • Technical – The setting, camera, microphones, and lightingTechnical – The setting, camera, microphones, and lighting
• Administrative – connectivity, trainingAdministrative – connectivity, training
• Practical solutions for your therapyPractical solutions for your therapy

Processes & ProceduresProcesses & Procedures

• The intake processThe intake process
• Informed consent – sample plan, key topics to coverInformed consent – sample plan, key topics to cover
• Emergency and crisis plans – what to include, medical issues, sample planEmergency and crisis plans – what to include, medical issues, sample plan

Delivery Platforms Keeping Ethics/HIPAA in MindDelivery Platforms Keeping Ethics/HIPAA in Mind

• Asynchronous platformsAsynchronous platforms
• Common elementsCommon elements
• Concerns with platform Concerns with platform
  • Synchronous therapySynchronous therapy
  • All-in-one servicesAll-in-one services
• Email and texting safelyEmail and texting safely
• Pros and consPros and cons
• HIPAA requirementsHIPAA requirements
• EncryptionEncryption
• Password protectionPassword protection
• VPNVPN
• Electronic communication policyElectronic communication policy
• Hardware and software safetyHardware and software safety

Screening and Suitability of the ClientScreening and Suitability of the Client

• Benefits of telehealth Services Benefits of telehealth Services
  • Evidenced-based researchEvidenced-based research
  • Patient and setting contraindicationsPatient and setting contraindications
• The intake, mental status exam, and ongoing EvaluationThe intake, mental status exam, and ongoing Evaluation
• Assessment with clientsAssessment with clients

Professional Boundary ConsiderationsProfessional Boundary Considerations

• For the clientFor the client
• For the clinician For the clinician
  • Crossings versus violationsCrossings versus violations
  • Recommendations for maintaining professional boundariesRecommendations for maintaining professional boundaries
• Licensing board complaint examplesLicensing board complaint examples
• Red Flags for TherapistRed Flags for Therapist
• Strategies to Avoid Red FlagsStrategies to Avoid Red Flags
• Recommendations for improving the therapist’s telehealth experienceRecommendations for improving the therapist’s telehealth experience
• Additional ResourcesAdditional Resources

Multicultural ConsiderationsMulticultural Considerations

• Issues to considerIssues to consider
• Geography, settings, populationsGeography, settings, populations
• Seeking guidanceSeeking guidance

Theoretical Considerations for TelehealthTheoretical Considerations for Telehealth

• Evidence-based supportEvidence-based support
• Which models transition wellWhich models transition well

Self-Care for the ClinicianSelf-Care for the Clinician

• Ethics applicationEthics application
• Causes of burn outCauses of burn out
• Warning signs in therapistsWarning signs in therapists
• Characteristics of effective self-careCharacteristics of effective self-care
• Strategies and techniquesStrategies and techniques
• ResourcesResources

Dos and Don’ts of Social MediaDos and Don’ts of Social Media

• Using social media to your advantageUsing social media to your advantage
• The required social media policyThe required social media policy
• Social media and boundariesSocial media and boundaries

The Era of Electronic RecordsThe Era of Electronic Records

• Development of the electronic recordDevelopment of the electronic record
• Electronic document storageElectronic document storage
• Electronic document destructionElectronic document destruction

ReimbursementReimbursement

• Medicare/MedicaidMedicare/Medicaid
• Private payerPrivate payer