Telehealth: Law & Ethics 2023 – Hosted by SFCAMFT (3 CEs) on ZOOM

Topics & Presenters:

Instructor Information:

Lisa Wenninger, MBA, MA, APCC, NBCC (she/her) is a second-year doctoral student in Counselor Education & Supervision at Antioch University, with a research focus on antiracist skills in counseling, and coursework and experience in teaching teletherapy skills to counseling students. Lisa was herself trained in telehealth starting in early 2019 in her Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Northwestern University. As an online-by-design program, Northwestern has leveraged Zoom and other synchronous online technologies to train new clinicians since well before the pandemic. Lisa has furthered her expertise in telehealth through a specialized 9-hour Telemental Health Provider Training in 2022. She is a recipient of the 2022 CCE Board Certified-TeleMental Health Provider training award by the NBCC Foundation and expects to earn the full BC-TMH credential by Spring 2023. Lisa has an MBA from Columbia and deep experience in technology from a 20-year career in software development before becoming a therapist.

Description:

In many ways, providing therapy through Zoom or other online options is similar to working with a client in person – except when the technology glitches out, or the client is in crisis. Are you prepared for these situations? This course offers specific guidance on the legal requirements and practical considerations for providing therapy by telehealth in California, including informed consent, assessing appropriateness for telehealth, telehealth across state lines, HIPAA and confidentiality, and documentation. You’ll learn about important safety plans that should be prepared for each client, along with suggestions for implementing a simple technology failure protocol. The focus will be on best practices for two-way video therapy conducted on Zoom or other platforms, though all telehealth modalities will be discussed.

Note: The California BBS has recently introduced a requirement that, as of July 2023, all existing licensees and new applicants for licensure need to provide proof of 3 hours of telehealth training. This course meets that requirement.

Educational Goals:

This course covers the California laws for delivery of telehealth by LMFTs, LPCCs, LCSWs, and LEPs, along with ethical requirements established by professional associations including CAMFT, ACA, etc., and a focus on client safety and unique considerations for clinical care via telehealth.

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of this course, participants will be able to:

1. Assess a prospective client for suitability for therapy via telehealth.
2. Identify 3 requirements for documenting telehealth sessions with clients.
3. Name 3 components of a client telehealth safety plan.
4. Explain when telehealth is permitted across state lines.
5. Describe 2 ways that telehealth may increase equity in mental health and support social justice.
6. Apply an ethical decision-making model to common scenarios that uniquely arise in the provision of telehealth.

Syllabus:

The content of this course is based upon a research and practice knowledge base, and covers ethical, legal, statutory, and regulatory policies, guidelines, and standards that impact the provision of mental health services via telehealth.

Intro
1. We’ve been on Zoom for 3 years. Why do we have to have this training?
a) Failure to comply with CA AB 1759 telehealth laws comprises unprofessional conduct
b) Unique clinical considerations for delivery of care via telehealth
2. Efficacy of telehealth and client outcomes
3. Possible clinical advantages of telehealth
4. Disadvantages and limitations
5. Equity and telehealth

Part I: California Legal and Ethical Considerations for Providing Telehealth
2. Explain the law: Who is allowed to do therapy by telehealth
a) Telehealth across state lines
b) Exception for incarcerated patient
3. Modes of telehealth:
a) synchronous (e.g., voice, two-way video)
b) asynchronous (e.g., texting, chat, email)
4. Assessment of appropriateness for telehealth
a) types of clients that telehealth is contraindicated for
5. Safety planning
6. HIPAA, HITECH, and confidentiality
a) BAA
b) need to confirm client identity
c) security concerns over Bluetooth, Alexa
7. Technology planning
8. Client consent to telehealth
9. Records and documentation; claims data (e.g., location codes and modifiers)[15-minute break]

Proposal for Telehealth Training 4

10. Crisis Management: Skills and knowledge needed specific to telehealth
11. Code of Ethics provisions on telehealth (CAMFT, ACA, etc.)
12. Unique ethical considerations with of telehealth
a) Present a simple decision-making model
b) Apply to sample ethical scenarios: 10 minutes in dyadic breakouts then return for large-group discussion
13. Telesupervision: California law around remote/virtual supervision

Part II: Best Practices
1. Computer setup: hardware, software, cameras
2. Your environment: Lighting, sound, distractions
3. Couples, families and groups

Part III: Technology Platforms & Tips
1. Comparison of leading telehealth platforms (e.g., Zoom, Doxy.me, SimplePractice, Microsoft Teams)
2. HIPAA compliant phone/voicemail/texting options
3. Security for your technology – password safety, electronic backups, encryption
4. Tethering on your cell phone for internet
5. Tips for Zoom settings

Q&A and wrap-up

1. State Laws
2. Federal Laws
3. Insurance

V. Ending an Employment Relationship

1. Appropriate Types of Relationships
2. Legal Considerations in Separation
3. Practical Considerations in Separation
4. Inappropriate Behavior Avoided
5. Clients Need Attention

VI. Record Keeping

1. Basics of Recording
2. Storage Requirement
3. Ownership

Fees & Continuing Education Credits:

• 3 CEs, Attending Live: $30 (plus ticket fees)
• 3 CEs, Viewing Recording: $30 (plus ticket fees)
• No CEs, Attending Live: Free to attend
• No CEs, Viewing Recording: Free to view

Course meets the qualifications for 3 hours of continuing education credit for LMFT’s, LCSW’s, LPCC’s and LEP’s as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences.

Pre-registration is required by Friday, June 9th at 12pm.

****By attending the live event, you consent to your voice and/or likeness being recorded and heard/seen by those viewing the recording of the training****

This workshop is offered by the San Francisco Chapter of the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (SFCAMFT)

Event Information & FAQs

Training Zoom Link & Zoom Pre-Registration:  Quickly after registering for the event on Eventbrite, you should receive an email from Eventbrite that confirms your registration and includes Zoom links for the event. You will note that there are two links, one for each presentation. When you click on each Zoom link, you will be asked to pre-register (answer a few questions) before gaining access to the session. If you want to save time, you can pre-register in advance and Zoom will send you a calendar reminder with a link that will give you immediate access to the session on the day of the event.

Recording Option Available: A recording of the training will be available for 21 days and will be sent by June 21st to those who registered for the recording option. You may watch the recording and still be eligible to earn CEs as long as you purchased the “viewing recording” ticket option that includes 2 CEs, watch the training, and complete the online evaluation and short quiz within 30 days of the recording becoming available.

****By attending the live event, you consent to your voice and/or likeness being recorded and heard/seen by those viewing the recording of the training****

How do I get CEs for this event?

1. Live Attendance:  If you attend live, you must purchase the “attending live” ticket option that includes 3 CEs. Course completion certificates will be awarded after the course in exchange for a completed evaluation form to be done online. To qualify for CE credit, you must arrive on time, stay until the end of the program, and fill out the online evaluation. Your CE certificate will be emailed within 30 business days after the event.
2. Watch the Recording:  If you are not able to attend the training live, you may watch the recording and still be eligible to earn CEs as long as you purchase the “viewing recording” ticket option that includes 3 CEs, watch the training, and complete the online evaluation and short quiz within 30 days of the recording becoming available.

How can I contact the organizer with any questions?
For any questions, concerns, disability accommodations, or grievances related to programming, please contact the Programming Chair, Jeanette Hu, Associate MFT via email at sfcamft@gmail.com.
Any person with disabilities who may require accommodations to participate in our trainings or special events is asked to please contact the organizer at least 3 days prior to the training.

What’s the refund policy?
All fees are paid to SFCAMFT and are non-refundable.
Course meets the qualifications for 3 hours of continuing education credit for LMFT’s, LCSW’s, LPCC’s and LEP’s as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences.

SFCAMFT (CEU provider #62283) IS APPROVED BY THE CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPISTS TO SPONSOR CONTINUING EDUCATION FOR LMFT’S, LCSW’S, LPCC’S AND LEP’S. SFCAMFT MAINTAINS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE PROGRAM AND ALL ITS CONTENT.

Questions? Email: sfcamft@gmail.com

About the Presenter

Lisa Wenninger (she/her) is a second-year doctoral student in Counselor Education & Supervision at Antioch University, with a research focus on antiracist skills in counseling, and coursework and experience in teaching teletherapy skills to counseling students. Lisa was herself trained in telehealth starting in early 2019 in her Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Northwestern University. As an online-by-design program, Northwestern has leveraged Zoom and other synchronous online technologies to train new clinicians since well before the pandemic. Lisa has furthered her expertise in telehealth through a specialized 9-hour Telemental Health Provider Training in 2022. She is a recipient of the 2022 CCE Board Certified-TeleMental Health Provider training award by the NBCC Foundation and expects to earn the full BC-TMH credential by Spring 2023. Lisa has an MBA from Columbia and deep experience in technology from a 20-year career in software development before becoming a therapist.