Telehealth in Mental Health: Legal and Ethical Guidelines

Course overview

Telehealth has been a method of delivering mental health care for over 50 years. The use of telehealth services increased significantly at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and for some time afterwards. Although data indicates a decline in telehealth use over the past few years, it remains a vital modality for accessing and delivering mental health services. Some data have also demonstrated that despite the decrease in overall telehealth use, mental health professionals continue to use it at a rate that is higher than many other health care professionals. As telehealth is expected to remain a part of the way mental health professionals provide care to clients, they must be knowledgeable about the legal and regulatory requirements, as well as the ethical considerations, for delivering services. This course will review foundational information about telehealth, including common terms and definitions, types of technology, telehealth models, and the advantages and disadvantages for both clients and mental health professionals. The legal and ethical aspects of providing mental health care via telehealth are also thoroughly examined. Mental health professionals will learn best practices for service delivery, including navigating crises and developing safety plans. Lastly, resources for evaluation, quality improvement, and Joint Commission and CARF accreditation standards are outlined.