Telehealth has revolutionized mental health care, offering unprecedented access to services for clients and new opportunities for practitioners. Yet, as this technology continues to evolve, so do the expectations and responsibilities of mental health professionals. Whether you are new to telehealth or an experienced practitioner, staying informed about best practices, legal requirements, and technological advancements is essential.
Here are five things every mental health professional should know about telehealth:
1. Telehealth Laws and CE Requirements Vary by State
Telehealth regulations are not one-size-fits-all. While many states encourage or require telehealth training, Florida and California stand out by mandating continuing education (CE) hours specific to telehealth for license renewal. Florida social workers, for example, must complete 3 CE hours on telehealth during alternating renewal cycles (with ethics being the focus in the other cycles). California also has telehealth CE requirements for mental health professionals.
Tip: Check with your state licensing board for specific requirements, as they may change or expand in the future. If your state has telehealth CE requirements that aren’t widely known, let us know by emailing or submitting a contact form—we’d love to include updated information in our resources.
2. HIPAA Compliance and Privacy Are Non-Negotiable
Client confidentiality is paramount in telehealth. It’s crucial to use HIPAA-compliant platforms and educate clients about privacy safeguards. Mental health professionals must also consider the unique privacy challenges of telemental health, such as ensuring the security of video calls and maintaining confidentiality in shared living spaces.
Actionable Tip: Regularly review the compliance standards of the platforms you use and update your informed consent procedures to include telehealth-specific considerations.
3. Ethical Challenges Are Amplified in Virtual Settings
While telehealth offers flexibility, it also introduces new ethical dilemmas. Assessing client risk remotely, maintaining boundaries in a virtual setting, and navigating cultural nuances without the benefit of in-person interactions all require specialized skills.
Upcoming Training: Our live webinar on January 31, 2025, addresses these challenges head-on. While not an ethics-specific course, this training will provide actionable strategies for ethical telehealth practice, helping you navigate complex situations with confidence. Learn more and register here.
4. Effective Telehealth Requires Adapted Clinical Techniques
Not all intervention methods translate seamlessly to virtual care. Understanding how to modify your therapeutic approach for telehealth is key to maintaining client engagement and achieving positive outcomes. This includes mastering non-verbal communication in video sessions and adjusting interventions to fit a digital environment.
Pro Tip: Invest time in learning which therapeutic techniques work best in virtual settings. Our January 31 webinar will provide practical tools for adapting your practice to telehealth.
5. Telehealth Is Here to Stay—Stay Ahead of the Curve
Telehealth isn’t just a pandemic-era solution; it’s the future of mental health care. Clients expect convenient, effective virtual options, and mental health professionals who stay updated on telehealth advancements will be better positioned to meet this demand.
Did You Know? Telehealth training is increasingly recognized as a critical area of professional development. Beyond meeting CE requirements, these skills can expand your practice and improve client outcomes.
Join Our Telehealth Live Webinar on January 31, 2025
Elevate Continuing Education is hosting a 3-CE hour live webinar on January 31, 2025, "Managing Crisis and Challenges in Telehealth" tailored to mental health professionals seeking to enhance their telehealth skills and meet CE requirements. This training is approved for Florida and California telehealth-specific CE hours and covers essential topics, including:
Ensuring HIPAA compliance and protecting client privacy
Ethical decision-making in telehealth
Establishing professional boundaries in virtual care
Enhancing cultural competence in telehealth settings
Adapting therapeutic techniques for virtual practice
Who Should Attend?
This training fulfills Florida social workers 3 CE telehealth requirement for 2025 renewal
California mental health professionals seeking telehealth CE credits
Any clinician looking to refine their telehealth practice and build confidence in virtual care
Secure your spot today and take the next step in modernizing your practice.