Telebehavioral Health Information and Counselors in Health Care

Article from American Counseling Association

Telebehavioral health, or distance counseling, is the use of a digital platform that provides secure, encrypted, audio-video conferencing to communicate with a client in real time.  This does not include nonsynchronous (not real time) texts, calls, digital chats, emails to and from counselors and their clients. 

Many professional counselors have found telebehavioral health to be a great addition to their practice and their work with clients, including the ability to reach clients while obstacles may limit or prevent clients from in person counseling.  

We understand with the arrival of the 2020 global pandemic, the topic of telebehavioral health has become more prominent as a means of continuing work with existing clients, and beginning work with new clients.  

All requirements for working with clients remain in place with telebehavioral health. The usual standards of care counselors use when working with clients still apply.  When using telebehavioral health, counselors must now consider additional issues along with having training and competency to deliver services through this means. 

The practice of telebehavioral health involves the consideration of:

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS FOR TELEBEHAVIORAL HEALTH

Access undated information on how to deliver counseling support using technology, such Telebehavioral Health services.

LICENSURE AND LIABILITY INSURANCE

Use of telebehavioral health service delivery does not eliminate the licensure requirements. Learn what you need to know.

ETHICAL STANDARDS

Review how the 2014 ACA Code of Ethics impacts the practice of telebehavioral health during a pandemic. (2014 Code of Ethics is italicized)

INSURANCE BILLING PRACTICES AND POLICIES

Learn important information to navigate claims, billing and reimbursement for telebehavioral health services.

EFFECTIVE REMOTE COUNSELING

Skills required to effectively work with a client without in-person interactions

TELEBEHAVIORAL HEALTH TECHNOLOGY

Using appropriate technological platforms where security standards conform with the recommendations of the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (DHHS). 

Article source: https://www.counseling.org/knowledge-center/mental-health-resources/trauma-disaster/telehealth-information-and-counselors-in-health-care