Course Agenda

    1. Instructions

    1. Pretest Instructions

    2. Pretest

    1. Course Overview

    1. Introduction

    2. Important Clarifications

    3. Print Posttest Study Guide

    4. California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) Information Regarding Telehealth

    5. NASW, ASWB, CSWE, and CSWA Standards for Technology in Social Work Practice

    6. Terminology and Core Concepts Defined

    7. Reader Exercise Instructions

    8. Reader Exercise

    1. National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Code of Ethics

    2. American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) Code of Ethics

    3. Competence and Technology Consultations

    4. Key Question Regarding Competence and Telehealth Practice

    1. NASW Code of Ethics

    2. AAMFT Code of Ethics

    3. California Telehealth Law and Client Consent

    4. The Potential Benefits of Telehealth Services

    5. The Potential Limitations and Risks of Telehealth Services

    6. Reader Exercise Instructions

    7. Reader Exercise

    8. Potential Clinical Consequences of Utilizing Telehealth Practices

    9. Ongoing Evaluation and Assessment

    10. NASW Examples of Informed Consent for Telehealth

    11. Video: Informed Consent for Online Therapy—What You Need to Know (7:18 minutes)

    12. NASW Assurances Services COVID Resources (Includes Telehealth)

About this course

  • $54.00
  • 60 lessons

Course Details

Course Description

In response to the COVID-19 national health emergency, many organizations and private practices are switching, however temporarily, to the use of telehealth as a primary means of delivering behavioral health services. For many practitioners, the current challenge is to provide ethically sound, legally compliant, and clinically effective interventions at a distance. This course incorporates legal, ethical, clinical, and technical information focused on LCSWs and LMFTs who are implementing telehealth services in clinical practice, including online psychotherapy. The course is also appropriate for practitioners who are setting administrative policies and procedures for providing telehealth services (telemental health services) through an agency or organization. Information and resources related to the COVID-19 pandemic are also provided.

Target Audience

This course is designed for California LCSWs and LMFTs looking for detailed information regarding legal, ethical, clinical, and technological standards and guidelines for providing telehealth services, including online psychotherapy. The course is also appropriate for practitioners who are developing administrative policies and procedures to implement telehealth services within an agency. This course meets the ongoing California license renewal requirement of six hours of law and ethics training.

Learning Objectives

Upon completing this course, participants will be able to do the following:

  • Identify common terminology and core technical concepts related to providing telehealth services, including online therapy.
  • Identify legal, ethical, and professional standards related to providing telehealth services, including special issues related to competence, informed consent, and confidentiality.
  • Identify potential risks and benefits associated with providing telehealth services.
  • Identify potential clinical consequences of utilizing telehealth.
  • Identify primary and key technological standards for telehealth practice.
  • Identify special challenges for the behavioral health professions that require further study.

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