THE COMMUNICATIONS AND TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE

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Leading the Way inDevelopingTelepsychology
Guidelines

• THE COMMUNICATIONS AND TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE -
• OHIO PSYCHOLOGICAL
• ASSOCIATION

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Mission

• TO PROPOSE A SET OF FLEXIBLE AND WORKABLE
  GUIDELINES THAT CAN BE APPLIED BY PSYCHOLOGISTS
  WHEN PROVIDING TELEPSYCHOLOGY SERVICES. . . THEY
  ARE INTENDED TO BE APPLICABLE TO ANY
  PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES PROVIDED USING
  COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY.

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What is Telepsychology?

• TELEPSYCHOLOGY IS THE PROVISION OF
  NON-FACE-TO-FACE PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES BY
  DISTANCE COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY SUCH AS
  TELEPHONE, E-MAIL, CHAT AND VIDEOCONFERENCING.

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Why Telepsychology Guidelines?

• LEGAL REGULATORY ACCOUNTABILITY
• APA Code of Ethics but no guidelines for
  electronic communications
• PUBLIC BENEFIT
• PROFESSIONAL GUIDANCE

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Guidelines Development Process

• REVIEW OF RELEVANT GUIDELINES AND STANDARDS

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Relevant Telehealth Guidelines and Standards

• INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY MENTAL HEALTH ONLINE
• AMERICAN COUNSELING ASSOCIATION
• NATIONAL BOARD OF CERTIFIED COUNSELORS
• AMERICAN MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELORS ASSOCIATION

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Guidelines Development Process

• DEVELOP DRAFT AND SUBMIT TO OPA BOARD FOR INITIAL
  COMMENTS

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Integrating Draft Guidelines with APA
Recommendations

• Review APA Recommendations for guidelines
• Utilize their checklist for practice guidelines
• Demonstrating respect for human rights and
  dignity
• Avoidance of bias

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Title of Guideline ______________________________
Reviewed___________________
Reviewer___________________ .
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Guidelines Development Process

• SUBMIT REVISED DRAFT TO STATE ASSOCIATION
  MEMBERSHIP AND OTHER INTERESTED PARTIES FOR
  COMMENTS

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Draft Distribution

• STATE ASSOCIATION MEMBERS
• STATE PSYCHOLOGY LICENSING BOARD
• ALL OTHER STATE PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION
  EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS
• NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY ON NATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY
  LISTSERV
• ANYONE REQUESTING A COPY

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Guidelines Development Process

• REVIEW COMMENTS AND SUBMIT DRAFT TO STATE
  ASSOCIATION BOARD FOR REVIEW AND APPROVAL

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Draft Guidelines - 1

• APPROPRIATE USE OF TELEPSYCHOLOGY
• LEGAL ETHICAL REQUIREMENTS
• INFORMED CONSENT
• DISCLOSURES

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Draft Guidelines - 2

• SECURE COMMUNICATIONS/ ELECTRONIC TRANSFER OF
  CLIENT INFORMATION
• ACCESS TO AND STORAGE OF ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION
• FEES FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS

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Guidelines Development Process

• Approval and distribution
• Continued evaluation

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• Guidelines are available for download at the OPA
  Website
• http//www.ohpsych.org
• Contact Information
• HEI001_at_aol.com