Create an account Log In
Cart

Clinical Skills of Phone Therapy

Enroll in the Online Self-Study course and complete it at your own pace.
2 CE hours available for behavioral health clinicians upon completion.

Clinical Skills of Phone Therapy

When a client reaches out in crisis, your ability to respond over the phone can mean the difference between disconnection and lifesaving connection. Phone therapy isn’t just a backup when video fails—it’s a clinical skill set that can open access, deepen trust, and transform care.

In this self-study course, you’ll gain the clinical confidence to deliver ethical, effective, and client-centered therapy entirely over the phone. Through practical demonstrations, research-based insights, and clear strategies, you’ll discover how to make phone sessions a reliable, therapeutic, and even preferred option for your clients.

Enroll in the 2 CE Online Self-Study for $80

Payment Options are listed at checkout

Register Now - 2 CE

Raymond Barrett, LMHC, LPC, founder and CEO of the Telehealth Certification Institute, brings years of expertise as a leader, trainer, and consultant in telemental health. Ray helped shape national telehealth standards and has trained over 40,000 healthcare professionals worldwide. His unique background in developing the Board Certified Telemental Health credential curriculum ensures you’ll be learning from a true pioneer in the field.

Ray’s teaching approach blends research, demonstration, and hands-on clinical application. He not only reviews what the evidence says about phone therapy but also demonstrates what it looks like in practice—walking you step by step through effective client preparation, technology setup, and therapeutic communication skills.

This course covers: the benefits and limitations of phone sessions, clinical communication skills unique to audio-only therapy, phone etiquette and paralanguage, technology considerations, privacy and compliance requirements, session workflows, and strategies for managing crises over the phone. You’ll also see demonstrations of screening for fit, first sessions, and a real-time crisis call.

Raymond Barrett Headshot

Instructor

Raymond Barrett, LMHC, LPC, is CEO and founder of the Telehealth Certification Institute, where he has developed more than 50 courses and trained thousands of clinicians and over 1,900 organizations in telehealth best practices. A licensed professional counselor and master trainer, Ray draws on his clinical, supervisory, and consulting experience to emphasize ethical, research-informed telehealth delivery. He continues to maintain a small private practice while ensuring TCI courses remain current, practical, and person-centered to support clinicians, clients, and the broader healthcare community.

Key Takeaways:

  • Master phone therapy delivery: Learn how to structure sessions, manage technology, and communicate effectively without visual cues.

  • Prepare clients for success: Equip clients with expectations, privacy strategies, and confidence to engage meaningfully in therapy by phone.

  • Enhance therapeutic connection: Use paralanguage and verbal skills to foster alliance, empathy, and accurate emotional understanding.

Why this course?

  • Protect your clinical credibility: Without the right training, audio-only sessions can feel flat, disconnected, or even risky. This course ensures you uphold the highest standards of care no matter the medium.

  • Reach clients who would otherwise be left out: Many clients don’t have access to video technology or feel safer without being seen. Mastering phone therapy equips you to serve them without compromising quality.

  • Turn limitations into strengths: Where some see the absence of visuals as a drawback, you’ll learn to transform it into an advantage—using voice, silence, and paralanguage to build trust and deepen therapeutic alliance.

Learning Objectives:

  • Describe the different technology and environments used when providing remote sessions

  • Demonstrate how to provide an effective phone therapy session from start to finish.

  • Demonstrate how to prepare the client for phone therapy and address technological challenges and telehealth session etiquette.

Phone therapy isn’t a compromise—it’s a lifeline. For many clients, it’s the only way they’ll consistently engage in care. By sharpening your phone-based clinical skills, you not only expand access but also safeguard your professional credibility and strengthen therapeutic outcomes.

Enroll in Clinical Skills of Phone Therapy and ensure you’re ready to meet your clients with confidence, connection, and competence—wherever they are.

This course is Module 9 of the THTC Program and is a non-interactive self-study course. Instruction consists of 2 hours of video instruction and a post-test.

Enroll in the 2 CE Online Self-Study for $80

Select each tab for course details

Availability: From the time of registration, you have six months to access the coursework.

Who Should Attend: This course is intended for clinicians who provide behavioral health services.

Teaching Methods: This is a non-interactive, self-study course. Teaching methods for this course include recorded lectures, videos, a post-test, and a course evaluation.

How to attend: Directions for completing a course can be found by clicking here.

This program was recorded on June 11, 2021.

Testimonials

View All 700+ Testimonials