Telemental Health Professional Orientation 1.0
A shortage of care practitioners combined with an aging population with disproportionately increasing care utilization patterns has created a “perfect storm”.
NBCC ACEP No. 7167
Telemental health is the use of electronic means or technology to provide mental health services by any mental health discipline. It is not a separate medical or mental health service. It is simply a different means through which a practitioner can deliver services that have historically been delivered in person in the mental health field. Telemental health is discipline neutral, meaning that all mental health disciplines can use the technology modality to provide services.
The need for mental health has dramatically increased and, with advances in technology and current health concerns, the use of client care at a distance has also increased. All age groups and all diagnoses have shown an increase in the need of treatment.
The research into telemental health has consistently shown it to be an effective delivery system for mental health services. Some studies have even found telemental health services may actually be preferable to in-person care in certain populations and situations. Children, adolescents, and veterans in particular, seem to especially benefit from the use of telemental health. Telemental health is NOT the be-all and end-all in the delivery of therapy. Nor is it for every client or every practitioner. Clearly, there are limitations. The limitations may be driven by a particular practitioner’s level of skill or confidence in treating certain cases online.
This course brings attention to client treatment during distancing. It is designed to provide a professional orientation for practitioners who use telemental health.
This course is brought to you using a “virtual classroom” that can be accessed 24/7/365 on any device connected to the internet using any network. Once enrolled it will never leave your account and will be updated as needed.
Click the first lesson below to begin.