Telehealth Ethics of Texting: Do’s and Don’ts
Faculty: Marlene M. Maheu, PhD
This course will cover how to think about text messaging, some clinical issues related to text messaging, and the legal as well as ethical requirements we face when we choose to use telehealth texting with mental and behavioral health consumers.
| √ 100% Online, 24/7 | √ Available On-Demand |
| √ 6-Month Access | √ 3 CME or CE Contact Credit Hour(s) |
Telehealth Texting Course Description
Behavioral clinicians find that patients and clients increasingly expect their therapists to communicate through telehealth texting. Texting is manageable, but many professionals using the modality have not fully considered their legal or ethical requirements for telehealth texting or the clinical complications that can arise. It is easy to send a text without working about iPhone security or Android security issues, such as how messages can stay on your telephone even after being erased. Text messages can also be sent in the heat of rushing around without fully considering how they can be misinterpreted. Discussions can quickly devolve into emotional reactivity, distractions can appear on either side of the communication, and the therapist can lose control of the conversation.
This training program is designed to help improve therapist awareness of the many ways texting can be helpful and potentially harmful if not adequately introduced with a formal dynamic informed consent exchange that is fully documented.
- It reviews the other legal and ethical issues required of all licensed professionals, such as maintaining privacy, despite a client's assistance that privacy doesn't matter.
- The program will also discuss which types of text messaging platforms allow or don't allow clinicians to comply with those mandates. (For example, how do you conduct a complete informed consent process if you don't communicate using another channel?)
- How to establish clear policies for what and what you are available to discuss in texting.
- Evidence-based clinical issues regarding the types and styles of texting found to be the most therapeutic in telehealth texting
- Whether it is appropriate to use emoticons, memes, and abbreviations such as "LOL."
- How to maintain professionalism by establishing clearly delineated boundaries
- Dealing with non-compliant clients or patients who text you inappropriately
- Suggestions for how clients and patients might be supported while limiting the interaction
- How to enhance iPhone security and that of other operating systems such as Android
Encryption, security, downloading messages to one's computer, and specific technologies that can be used for these functions will all be covered. Three real-life stories about how to use or not use text messaging and cell phones will bring this issue to life in a way that makes it relevant to the everyday practitioner. This Master Class, a deep dive into telehealth texting, features Marlene Maheu, PhD's guests Myron Pulier, MD, Joseph McMenamin MD, JD, and Laura Groshong, MA, LICSW, to discuss the role of associations, licensing boards, and online employers as well as clinicians regarding the legal and ethical use of texting in behavioral healthcare.
Learning Objectives
- Outline 5 risks to text messaging and how to remedy them
- Name 1 law that is relevant to text messaging
- Identify one-way clients and patients may feel betrayed when an unwitting professional uses text messaging for professional interventions
When & How
| CME or CE: | Credit hours 3 |
| Duration: | Approximately 3 hours to complete. |
| Format: | Online Activity. Online readings, illustrative media, automatically graded post-test. All material for Telehealth.org training is provided at no extra cost, and is accessible through your computer or digital device. Available 24/7 as on-demand training (asynchronous). |
| When: | Available 24/7 to review anytime for 6 months from registration date. |
| Where: | 100% Online |
| How: |
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Audience
This program is for beginning and intermediate-level “telepractitioners” and “telesupervisors” wishing to deliver telemental health services in these disciplines:
- Psychiatrists, Internists, Pediatricians, Gerontologists, Nurses, Physician Assistants, Nurse Practitioners
- Psychologists, Counselors, Social Workers, Therapists, Marriage & Family Therapists
- Speech Pathologists, Dietitians, Occupational Therapists, Behavioral Analysts, Substance Use Professionals
- CEOs, COOs, Administrators, Billing & Coding Staff
Faculty
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Dr. Marlene Maheu has been a pioneer in telemental health for almost three decades. With five textbooks, dozens of book chapters, and journal articles to her name and educated more than 50k clinicians from 109 countries, she is in a unique position to guide you or your organization in finding a maximally profitable niche in telehealth. She is the Founder and CEO of Telehealth.org. She is the CEO of the Coalition for Technology in Behavioral Science (CTiBS), and the Founder of the Journal for Technology in Behavioral Science.
She has assisted in writing standards and guidelines for national associations and was the Chair of the CTiBS Competency Committee that published the first telebehavioral health competency framework. She has been interviewed by dozens of leading newspapers and magazines, keynoted, and taught hundreds of telehealth-related workshops internationally. Dr. Maheu is a master at getting to the point and answering your questions with straightforward, actionable, evidence-based suggestions that quickly move you to your goal. She will delight you with her clinical acumen and make you smile at how simple many solutions can be when explained by a professional with decades of passionate telehealth training experience. Bring your notepad — you’ll leave with pages of practical to-do’s! |
Reviews
 | Dr. Maheu is one of the most knowledgeable people in the country in the area of psychology and technology. She has a rich perspective on the benefits and challenges in this field and has been extremely generous in sharing her resources and expertise. Judith Blanton, PhD, Blanton Consulting |
 | You consider both the advantages of technology and the important ethical considerations to help ensure public safety. Joann Altiero, PhD |
 | Telebehavioral Health Institute is the best place to get accurate and up to date information about navigating the internet as a mental health professional. Wanda Garner, MS, MA Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Certified Emotionally Focused Therapist and Supervisor |
CME & CE Accreditations & Approvals
Telehealth.org has been approved by the leading medical and behavioral accrediting and approval groups.
NJAOPS
NBCC
NAADAC
ASWB
APA
NY SW
NY MHC
NY MFT
NY PSY
Addiction
The Association For Addiction Professionals (NAADAC)
The Association For Addiction Professionals (NAADAC)Telehealth.org is officially on file with NAADAC, The Association For Addiction Professionals (NAADAC) as an approved education provider. Telehealth.org has been approved as a NAADAC approved education provider. NAADAC provider #159459, Telehealth.org is responsible for all aspects of their programming.
Counseling
National Board For Certified Counselors (NBCC)
National Board For Certified Counselors (NBCC)Telehealth.org has been approved by National Board For Certified Counselors (NBCC) as an approved Continuing Education Provider. ACEP No. 6708. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Telehealth.org is solely responsible for all aspects of the program.
New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Counseler (NY MHC)
New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Counseler (NY MHC)Telehealth.org is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors. #MHC-0237.
Medicine
Physicians, Nurses, Nurse Practitioners & Physician’s Assistants
Physicians, Nurses, Nurse Practitioners & Physician’s AssistantsPurpose: NJAOPS is dedicated to reminding and enhancing physicians’ knowledge to manage the changing needs of the healthcare system. These evidence-based educational lectures are structured to augment physician expertise with current guidelines, materials, and recommendations, as well as up-to-date advances in medical treatment on specific topics. Accreditation: New Jersey Association of Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons is accredited by the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) to provide osteopathic continuing education for DO Physicians. NJAOPS designates these educational activities for category 1-A credits and will report CME and specialty credits commensurate with the extent of the physician’s participation in this activity.
Physician (AMA) accreditation statement: NJAOPS Is accredited by the Medical Society of New Jersey to provide Continuing Medical Education for physicians. NJAOPS designates live or online activity for AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Health Professionals: participants may claim hours to receive a Certificate of Participation for an activity designated for AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Method of Participation: for successful completion of activity and subsequent awarding of credits, individuals are required to participate in the entire activity and complete an attestation form, as well as an activity evaluation form. Send questions: contact@telehealth.org.
Marriage and Family Therapy
New York State Education Department’s State Board for Marriage & Family Therapist (NY MFT)
New York State Education Department’s State Board for Marriage & Family Therapist (NY MFT)Telehealth.org is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed marriage and family therapists #MFT-0104.
Other States. Many states do not require pre-approval of continuing education offerings for MFTs. Many states also accept courses that are offered by providers who have formally been approved by ACCME (physicians) APA (psychologists), ASWB (social workers) and NBCC (counselors), such as Telehealth.org. Please send the URL to this page to our licensing Board to ask if they will approve our course(s) to meet your requirements. Write to us if you need our help.
Psychology
American Psychological Association (APA)
American Psychological Association (APA)Telehealth.org is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor Continuing Education for psychologists. Telehealth.org maintains responsibility for this program and its content.
New York State Education Department’s State Board for Licensed Psychologists (NY PSY)
New York State Education Department’s State Board for Licensed Psychologists (NY PSY)Telehealth.org is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed psychologists #PSY-0193.
Social Work
Association Of Social Work Boards (ASWB)
Association Of Social Work Boards (ASWB)Telehealth.org, Provider #1328, is approved as a provider for social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) www.aswb.org, through the Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Telehealth.org maintains responsibility for the program. ASWB approval period: 11/18/2022 – 11/18/2025. Social workers should contact their regulatory board to determine course approval for continuing education credits. Please note that ASWB does not award CE hours for training related to marketing.
Canadian Social Workers
Canadian Social WorkersSocial workers registered in Canadian provinces may accept activities approved by ASWB for ongoing professional development. Please check with your college or Board and send them to this webpage along with the course description of the course(s) you are considering. Ask for a review to determine if our training is acceptable for your registration.
New York State Education Department’s State Board For Social Work (NY SWB)
New York State Education Department’s State Board For Social Work (NY SWB)Telehealth.org, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of Continuing Education for Licensed Social Workers #SW-0752.
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All of your training, right here at Telehealth.org!
Pay once for a full year of unlimited multi-modal training, accessible 24/7
√ All OnDemand Training
√ All LIVE, Interactive Webinars
√ Supporting Documents
√ 24-Hour Access
√ 12 LIVE, Interactive Group Tele-Consults
Additional benefits include:
√ Preferred All-Access Pass Telephone & Email Support
Access all training, your BCTP-III Certificate & 12 LIVE, interactive, group Tele-Consults for one year!
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