As teletherapy and telepsychology grow in popularity, patients want to know that they can trust and rely on these virtual services. Though telepractice has been around since the 1990s, it is only recently gaining substantial traction, making it a newer model that doesn’t have a solidified standard. Most practitioners have very little training on the differences of telepyschology to in-person services.
This can make it challenging for mental health professionals to get started because they feel lost, confused, and lack the resources and support they need.
How a Telepsychology Certification Can Help
Telepyschology certification trains mental health professionals so that they know what to expect when it comes to providing virtual services and prepares them to deliver optimal service through this new platform.
What is Telepractice Certification?
The purpose of the mental health telepsychology certification is to provide mental health professionals with everything they need in order to feel confident providing virtual therapy service. The certification provides best practices and recommendations from telepractice and mental health experts, support from a global community, knowledge and education to provide patients with the best care and treatment, and the information needed in order to ensure professionals are in compliance when conducting virtual sessions.
What Certification Includes
The telepractice certification includes modules that cover important topics related to mental health, including the following:
Introduction to Telepsychology/Telepractice
This includes an overview of the history and terminology of teletherapy, telepsychology, or telepractice, including the explanation of the different terms. This also helps to establish how to approach teletherapy to ensure it is as effective as possible. Preparation is important for effective teletherapy, and this goes into what it is important to prepare.
Environment
What’s around you matters, as it sets the tone for the session and can create a more conducive environment for therapy. This is something that is often overlooked by many practitioners until it is time to set up for their first call, leaving them scrambling or with a less-than-optimal set up.
Technology – What Platform?
There are a number of different platforms available, and which one you use is going to depend on your goals. Keep in mind that many platforms are not HIPAA compliant, so they should not be used for teletherapy. This module will give you a high level overview of what to look for.
Licensing and Compliance
This is perhaps the most intimidating part of incorporating telepractice for most therapists. This module reviews all of the important parts to go over as a therapist to make sure that you understand licensing and compliance for your field and your region. This includes following HIPAA and FERPA as well as a number of other considerations.
Scheduling
There are some ins and outs to scheduling that are a little bit different with scheduling and reimbursement for teletherapy. This section goes over the differences, best practices, and recommendations to make sure you are meeting patients’ needs as well as being efficient with scheduling appointments.
Assessment
This module was created specifically for mental health professionals. This will review different assessment methodologies, recommendations, requirements, and considerations when conducting these assessments via virtual platforms, as well as potential adjustments or pitfalls when conducting these assessments.
Ethics
The American Psychological Association (APA) has specific guidelines on ethics that are important for any mental health specialist to be familiar with and how those guidelines any impact online delivery of services. This section reviews critical sections of these guidelines and professional requirements.
Overcoming Obstacles
As someone that will be practicing teletherapy it is important to be well versed in the effectiveness of telepsychology as well as being able to answer questions stakeholders and patients might have. It is important that therapy is both effective and patients are comfortable with its efficacy and potential outcomes. Many more people are now open to teletherapy than have ever been before as a result of COVID-19, but many are still skeptical about effectiveness. To get best results it is important for people to approach teletherapy with the same attitude as with regular therapy.
Resources and References
There will be a collection of resources and references provided for anyone who would like to look into individual topics further.
Who is Telepsychology Certification For?
The mental health telepractice certification is a great option for mental health clinics. Mental health professionals including psychiatrists, psychologists, and therapists who are looking to take their practice to a new level and expand their potential patient base are excellent candidates for the training.
Telepractice Certification is Advantageous for Mental Health Clinics + Professionals
Becoming certified in telepractice gives mental health practitioners a competitive edge and professional distinction important now that more therapists are utilizing online tools but may not be adept at making the most of the platforms and ensuring compliance and effectiveness. Remote services are in high demand and due to the convenience of telepractice, it is becoming the preferred method by many patients. In order to stay relevant, mental health clinics are required to keep up.
The certification empowers mental health professionals to provide an optimal telepractice experience to their patients and builds confidence and patient trust. Being able to market your clinic as a telepractice-certified clinic will increase credibility as a telepractice provider and help you stand out from other clinics and providers lacking certification.
Another important benefit that telepractice certification provides is that it allows mental health professionals to maintain outcomes and patient progress, despite unpredictable external events, such as COVID-19. In the age of COVID-19, healthcare professionals have had to adapt and look at providing services in a new way. Telepsychology certification can ease this transition and decrease the learning curve with new technology and processes.
Don’t Miss the Window of Opportunity
With the rise of COVID-19 and mental illness, there is no better time to become certified in telepractice (telepsychology). This new model of providing treatment is only going to continue to expand and those who do not embrace this change will fall behind.
Providing a telepractice model is no longer an option. It is becoming a necessity. The telepractice certification can make the transition simple and supportive for mental health clinics all over the world.
Learn More About Telepsychology/Telepractice Certification
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