TELEPSYCHOLOGY GUIDELINES Ohio Psychological Association Convention October 25, 2007

WHAT IS TELEPSYCHOLOGY? Telepsychology is the provision of non-face- to-face psychological services by distance communication technology such as telephone, , chat and videoconferencing.

Communications & Technology Committee 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.”

Guidelines v. Standards Guidelines are recommended or aspirational Standards are mandatory expectations

Why Telepsychology Guidelines? Legal & Regulatory Accountability –APA Code of Ethics but no guidelines for electronic communications Public Benefit Professional Guidance

Relevant Telehealth Guidelines and Standards International Society Mental Health Online American Counseling Association National Board of Certified Counselors American Mental Health Counselors Association

Guidelines Development Process  Review of relevant guidelines and standards  Develop draft and submit to OPA Board for initial comments  Submit revised draft to general OPA membership for comments  Review comments and submit draft to OPA Board for review and approval

Draft Guidelines  Appropriate use of telepsychology  Legal & ethical requirements  Informed Consent  Disclosures  Secure communications / Electronic transfer of client information  Access to and storage of electronic communication  Fees & Financial arrangements

Feedback Form Please rate each of the following from 1 (negative) to 5 (positive) 1. How useful is the draft document as a whole? 2. How well were you informed by the draft? 3. How relevant are the proposed guidelines on pages 5 and 6 to your work? 4. How much do you support adopting these guidelines or similar ones? Please rate each section of the proposed guidelines on pgs The appropriateness of telepsychology 6. Legal and ethical requirements 7. Informed consent 8. Disclosures 9. Secure communications/electronic transfer of client information 10. Access to and storage of electronic communications 11. Fees and financial arrangements Indicate in writing any suggested changes (and relevant line #'s in the draft) that you think would improve the document.