Telehealth technology allowed clinicians to carry on serving their clients during the dark times of the COVID pandemic and has become an integral part of the mental health landscape of today. At the same time, the practice of telehealth raises a host of ethical, legal and clinical challenges. In this workshop, we will explore those challenges and examine which solutions best address them.
Upon completion of this training, participants will be able to:
- Describe the benefits of telehealth practice
- Explain the legal issues relevant to telehealth practice
- Explain the ethical issues relevant to telehealth practice
- Identity various clinical issues related to telehealth practice
- Discuss the best practices for navigating a telehealth practice
Syllabus:
Objective #1: Benefits of Telehealth Practice
- Define telehealth and its application in mental health services
- Identify increased convenience and access for both clients and clinicians
- Highlight reduced barriers such as transportation, mobility limitations, and scheduling conflicts
- Describe benefits like higher attendance, comfort of being at home, and therapist insight into client environments
- Acknowledge drawbacks such as tech failures, lack of privacy, and limited nonverbal communication
Objective #2: Legal and Ethical Issues in Telehealth
- Define ethics and their role in protecting client welfare and guiding clinician decisions
- Review legal requirements for informed consent in telehealth practice
- Discuss necessary elements in consent forms: risks, benefits, technology issues, crisis protocols
- Clarify jurisdictional licensing laws and cross-state service regulations
- Emphasize HIPAA compliance and the use of secure, encrypted video platforms
- Provide examples of platforms that meet HIPAA standards for telehealth sessions
Objective #3: Clinical Responsibilities and Concerns
- Ensure adequate video, lighting, audio, and screen positioning for therapeutic presence
- Maintain clear visual and auditory signals to support emotional connection and engagement
- Address clinician boundaries regarding attire, background, and screen behavior
- Manage distractions in both client and clinician environments
- Promote emotional attunement despite physical separation
- Recognize the challenge of Zoom fatigue and encourage screen breaks when possible
Objective #4: Scenario-Based Clinical Decision-Making
- Discuss responses to unexpected third parties appearing in the session
- Describe clinician action when client audio or video fails
- Identify concerns when another person is in the room during a client’s session
- Reinforce privacy, consent, and boundary-setting through clear protocols
Objective #5: Best Practices for Navigating Telehealth
- Prepare both client and therapist with technical training and backup plans
- Support emotional safety and therapeutic presence in the virtual space
- Establish ethical practices for communication, consent, and emergency protocols
- Maintain current knowledge of state-specific legal requirements for telehealth
- Monitor clinician self-awareness, including countertransference and screen fatigue
- Set clear boundaries around email, texting, and online communication outside of session
Social workers completing this course receive 1.5 Ethics asynchronous continuing education credits.
For other board approvals, this course qualifies for 1.5 Ethics continuing education training.
Instructor: Dreya Blume, LCSW
Recording Date: June 2, 2024
CEUS On-Demand, LLC, provider #2274, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 08/7/2026 - 08/6/2027. Social workers completing this course receive 1.5hrs Ethics continuing education credits.
CEUs On-Demand, LLC has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7091. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. CEUs On-Demand, LLC is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.
System Requirements: Firefox, Chrome, Brave, Safari, Edge on any modern operating system (Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, iOS). A desktop browser is recommended. We do not provide support resources for issues encountered using a mobile device.
Request for Special Accommodations: Learners can request special accommodations by contacting the administrative team at admin@ceus-ondemand.com