Article archive / November 1, 2012
Originally published: . Volume 4, No. 3. Source pages: 9.
Interest around the country is growing regarding electronic means of engaging with clients. Last month the president of Society of Industrial and Organizational Psychology indicated that guidelines being developed by different groups may impact IO psychologists. The American Psychological Association and the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards, have attention focused on these issues.
The Louisiana psychology board published Opinion 13 this past April, saying that “… in order to practice telepsychology within the State of Louisiana, one must hold a current, valid license issues by the Louisiana State Board of Examiners or shall be a supervisee of a license being deldgate telepsychology practices.”
The Opinion also noted, “… this rule does not authorize licensees to practice telepsychology in service to clients domiciled in jurisdictions other than Louisiana …”
Confusion still exists however, whether telepsychology is only mental health, or if it involves general applied psychology. Most definitions suggest that these are not included, but this remains unclear and matter some are concerned about.
At the same time, the ASPPB received a grant to help with license portability and ways to promote the use of telehealth technologies.
The Times talked with Dr. Rober Glueckauf, of the Department of Medical Humanities and Social Sciences at Florida State University about a tele- psychology study that he is assisting with for Florida State University, College of Medicine. He told the Times, the purpose of this study is to examine the characteristics, opinions and online experiences of mental health professionals who either use or plan to use technology in providing online counseling services. We are interested in identifying the types of technologies they are currently using and their awareness of laws, regulations, standards and guidelines applicable to the provision of online counseling.”
The target populations for the study are professionals, such as psychologists, social workers, psychiatric nurses, nurse practitioners, marriage and family counselors, mental health and drug counselors, faith- based (religious) practitioners, and psychiatrists providing mental health services. (See box on this page.)
Survey: “What Do You Think About Telepsychology?”
Have you provided telepsychology services to clients? Do know someone who has? Are you interested in or considering providing telepsychology services? You are invited to participate in a brief online survey assessing the characteristics, opinions and experiences of mental health professionals who currently provide or intend to provide online counseling services.
Telepsychology and online counseling services are increasingly becoming more common and available to the general public. However, relatively little is known about the professionals providing online services, their training and knowledge, the types of services they are providing and technologies being used. This study is a collaborative effort among researchers at the Florida State University College of Medicine and Kansas University Medical Center, and the TeleMental Health Institute.
The survey takes about 10 minutes to complete. The survey questions do not require disclosure of personal information and your identity and responses will remain anonymous. Summary results of the survey will be available at www.SelfhelpMagazine.com after the study is complete.
To complete the survey go to: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/HXLBVJ6
If you have any questions about the study or need further information, please feel free to contact the principal investigator, Dr. Marlene Maheu, http://support.telementalhealth.com
* Telepsychology services include counseling services offered at a distance using telecommunication technologies, such as telephone, email, and videoconferencing.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.