Telehealth
A selection of organizations and relevant resources that will ease you in the transition to Telehealth
The American Psychological Association has provided extensive information specific to COVID-19, see this.
Check the APA website weekly for updates and new resources
NEWS! After extensive lobbying by APA Practice Directorate, under advisement from Division 49 representatives, CMS has temporarily approved the Group Psychotherapy telehealth code.
Check the APA website for more details.
- APA has made their telepsychology checklists and guides to telehealth available.
- Guidelines for the Practice of Telepsychology They have made public what is normally a member-only service – an extensive guide to telehealth. Also see their online CE courses.
- Information Hub is designed to be a one-stop-shop for updated information on psychology practice at the federal level and across the country – e.g. licensing, regulations, reimbursement, and professional issues. APA recently added this updated FAQ answers important questions like (a) What is my obligation if I suspect my patient has COVID-19, or if I might have it?
APA’s practice update includes professional self-care, older adults, and bias & stigma during COVID-19. Here are links to some of their useful resources:
- APA electronic resources available for distance learning
Free access to a variety of books and other academic materials offered during shut-down period. - APA offers free access to Publication Manual and other resources through May 25
To support academic libraries and their many patrons, we are providing temporary free access to the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (6th and 7th editions), the Concise Guide to APA Style, and more than 160 other books published by APA Books through VitalSource and RedShelf. - Advice for psychology supervisors and trainees on caring for patients during the COVID-19 crisis
As public health and education officials continue to monitor the spread of the coronavirus, here is advice for supervisors and trainees at psychology training programs on how to prepare for and adapt to fluctuating circumstances specific to patient care. - COVID-19 relevant free journal articles
This free collection includes relevant psychological research published across the APA Journals portfolio. We will update this collection on an ongoing basis. - Free CE series on telepsychology best practice
For a limited time, APA'S four-part Continuing Education in Psychology series "Telepsychology Best Practice 101" is available free of charge. https://apa.content.online/catalog/product.xhtml?eid=15132&eid=1921 - Psychology lesson plans made available to all teachers by APA
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, APA Teachers of Psychology in Secondary Schools (TOPSS) has made psychology unit lessons available freely for the benefit all teachers.
The American Group Psychotherapy Association has a rich collection of resources, online courses, etc. for group telehealth, and disaster
- Gary Burlingame, Ph.D., CGP, DFAGPA and Farooq Mohyuddin, MD, CGP, FAGPA Co-Chairs AGPA Public Affairs Committee created this document on “Managing Healthcare Workers’ Stress Associated with the COVID-19 Virus Outbreak”
- For help choosing a telehealth platform, see this online article, compiled by The American Group Psychotherapy Association's Internet Special Interest Group: “Connecting Online and the Latest Telehealth Solutions.”
- California Board of Psychology Notice to Consumers about telehealth (Or your state’s licensing board)
Here is a sample Telehealth Agreement template I created to give you an idea of what to include in yours. Other resoures for templates include your malpractice insurance carrier, APA, AGPA, etc.
HIPAA AND YOUR PRACTICE: IMPORTANT RESOURCES
Are You a Covered Entity? Make sure whether you need follow HIPAA guidelines from the government website on HIPAA.
Check out the laws and regulations in different states
Check out the Coronavirus and State/Provincial Telehealth Guidelines
The Center for Connected Health Policy (CCHP) is nonprofit organizationcreated by the National Telehealth Policy Resource Center (NTRC-P) for the country. Their website has up to date state-by-state information about telehealth-related laws, regulations, MediCare and Medicaid programs.
BILLING INSURANCE COMPANIES: RESOURCES
Barbara Griswold, LMFT has created these helpful resources/articles for billing insurance companies:
Valuable article called Navigating the Insurance Maze
She has also compiled this helpful resource: Plan - by - Plan Outline of Insurance Coverage for Phone and Video Sessions in Response to COVID-19
RECOMMENDED READING ABOUT TELETHERAPY
- Gentry, M.T. (2019). Evidence for telehealth group based treatment. A systematic review. Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare , 25 (6): 327–342. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29788807
- Kozlowski, K., & Holmes, C. (2014). Experiences in online process groups: A qualitative study. The Journal for Specialists in Group Work, 39: 276–300.
- Steiner, A. (2020). 3rd edition: How to Create and Sustain Groups that Thrive: Therapist’s Workbook and Planning Guide. Routledge, London.
- Weinberg, H. & Rolnick, A. (2019). The Theory and Practice of Online Therapy. NY: Routledge.
I was honored to be invited to present a Webinar for the National Register of Health Service Psychologists: "Doing Online Group Therapy" on April 24, 2020. This one hour, CE optional recorded webinar is available now!
RESOURCES FOR PATIENTS
Check out the updated resources for the public, on my public website, The new Coping with COVID-19 page is designed to give patients and the public, information, and tips for living more fully while coping with Shelter in Place.
For specific resources for the public, including a listing of online 12 Step groups, and other resources available to help our patients cope with the emotional impact of COVID-19, see the Resources and Information for Patients page on my website for the public.