ODL 364: Telemental Health in Practice: Competence, Ethics, and Client Care in the Digital Age

Please make sure to check with your own state board to ensure the transferability of CE credit for an asynchronous course. Some state boards may place restrictions regarding the modality of training required for ethics credits to be awarded. If this training indicates ethics credits are available, please verify that your state allows them to be earned through an on-demand course format.

1 CREDIT HOUR APPROVED FOR:
Social Workers
ASWB ACE – 1 Ethics CE Credit
New York State Education Department’s State Board for Social Work – 1 Contact Hour
Psychologists
APA – 1 CE Credit
Counselors – 1 Ethics Hour or 1 Contact Hour
NBCC ACEP – 1 Contact Hour
New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners – 1 Contact Hour
Addiction Professionals
NAADAC – This course is not approved for NAADAC Contact hours.
Nurses
California Board of Registered Nursing – 1 Contact Hour
New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners – 1 Contact Hour
Case Managers
CCMC – 1 Contact Hour

Created On:  10/31/25                    

Target Audience:

This course is targeted for social workers, psychologists, counselors, nurses and case managers.

Overview:

Telehealth has rapidly expanded access to mental health services, but delivering care through digital platforms requires careful attention to competence, ethics, and client suitability. This 1-hour training is designed for private practice professionals who want to strengthen their confidence and skill in telemental health service delivery. We will clarify what constitutes telehealth delivery, examine best practices for competent and ethical practice, and provide strategies for assessing client appropriateness. Participants will also gain practical guidance on informed consent, risk management versus emergency management, and navigating ethical dilemmas in the telehealth setting.

Course Objectives:

By the end of the session, the participant will be able to:

• Define telemental health and describe what constitutes telehealth delivery in mental health practice.
• Identify best practices for competent and ethical telemental health service delivery.
• Determine client/patient suitability for telemental health services using practical screening considerations.
• Apply proper informed consent procedures specific to telemental health.
• Differentiate between risk management and emergency management in telehealth contexts.

Presenter:

Christian Deck, MSW, LCSW, CTMH, Senior Lecturer, Indiana University School of Social Work

Christian is a senior lecturer at the Indiana University School of Social Work and co-owner of VibeWell Connect, a telehealth company. He teaches and researches in the areas of telebehavioral health practice, distance education, and the use of Al in social work practice and education. He utilizes e-simulations designed to enhance student clinical practice skills in a virtual setting. He is interested in enhancing e-social work distance education through program development and technology design, as well as utilizing technology-based interventions within clinical social work.