Amy Marschall – Telemental Health Certification Course: A Step-by-Step Guide to Successful Virtual Sessions with Children, Adolescents and Families

Outline

Getting Started

• Benefits vs. Risks to children of using telemental practices and the internet in general
• Dependency concerns
• Telemental health as a business
• Current research in support and pitfalls of telemental health
• Multicultural & Environmental factors

Legal & Ethical Considerations

• Review and Adoption of Code of Ethics
• Legal implications of practicing across state lines
• Your privacy and data security considerations
• HIPAA compliance for kids & their parents
• Articulating and managing boundaries

Logistics: Setting up & Practicing Telehealth

• Technology competence for the clinician
• Computer, hardware and software recommendations
• Internet connectivity, encryption & privacy protections
• Developing the practice of clinical telemental health
• Explaining telemental health to youth & their parents

Informed Consent & Special Issues

• How is consent different with telemental health?
• Informed consent & intake process
• Addressing patient privacy
• Optimal office setup for Zoom
• Adapting counseling/therapy theory and techniques to telemental health

Safety Planning – For You & Your Patient

• Suitability screening for your client
• Patient age guidelines
• Policies and procedures that protect yourself, your license and the client
• Emergency and crisis action plans
• Addressing self-harm & suicidal ideations

Age Appropriateness

• Telehealth options for young children (under five)
• Delivery methods and platforms for squirmy or disengaged kids
• Severe decompensation
• Practical & strategic solutions for family parenting skills’ sessions

Navigating Traditional vs. Digital Talk Therapy Interventions

• CBT techniques that work onscreen
• Worksheets & Homework
• Digital activities that elevate traditional interventions
• Reading therapeutic children’s books
• Team Building Exercises
• Frustration Tolerance Exercises

Adapting Play Therapy with Online Games

• Chess & enhancing technical limitations to improve therapy
• Pictionary & other art therapy modalities
• Connect Four, Uno & engaging kids with physical objects
• Zoom & Non-directive play therapy