Updates to the American Psychological Association (APA) Telehealth Guidelines

Stay ethically aligned and clinically competent in the digital age with the APA’s newly updated 2024 Guidelines for the Practice of Telepsychology. Navigating the rapidly evolving digital landscape requires psychologists to maintain strict ethical alignment and clinical competence under the American Psychological Association's updated standards. As telepsychology transitions from a temporary crisis-response framework to a permanent fixture of modern practice, mastering these shifting guidelines is critical to protecting client privacy and avoiding professional liability.

This online self-study course offers a comprehensive deep dive into the updated APA revisions, transforming a high-value live session into an accessible, on-demand educational experience. Clinicians can seamlessly review essential updates on data security, informed consent, and interjurisdictional compliance at their own pace to enhance remote service delivery.

Led by Dr. Amy Marschall, Psy.D., a licensed psychologist, certified telehealth provider, and author of the Telemental Health with Kids Toolbox, this training delivers insights grounded in extensive real-world practice. Dr. Marschall runs a private practice specializing in trauma-informed, neurodiversity-affirming care, bringing unmatched practical expertise to legal, ethical, and clinical documentation.

Dr. Marschall utilizes a highly engaging, transparent, and practical instructional approach that bridges the gap between complex administrative rules and daily practice. By integrating unscripted case examples, risk-management consultations, and real-life problem-solving strategies, she translates dry regulatory text into actionable clinical wisdom.

The course addresses core telepsychology competencies, focusing heavily on modern data security protocols, such as vetting Business Associate Agreements (BAAs) for home offices and navigating the hidden ethical gaps of emerging AI note-takers. Clinicians explore strict data disposal methods—ranging from HIPAA-compliant shredding to physical hard drive destruction—alongside critical guidelines for interjurisdictional compacts like PSYPACT. Additionally, the training covers tele-assessment standards, including the use of in-room proctors, and advanced emergency planning strategies that involve tracking regional crisis resources to prevent counterproductive emergency interventions.

Key Takeaways: 

• Implement practical household BAAs: Learn how utilizing signed confidentiality templates with family members protects a home office against catastrophic privacy breaches and licensing board discipline.
• Navigate emerging tech liabilities: Understand the current risk-management stance on AI note-takers, recognizing how data gaps in transcription software can expose practices to ethical violations.
• Streamline interjurisdictional compliance: Discover mobile tools like telehealth law tracking applications to manage state-by-state reciprocity rules and strict originating-state requirements.

 Why this course? 

• Expert risk-management guidance: Access cutting-edge insights filtered through professional liability insurance standards and real-world clinical ownership.
• Flexible on-demand learning: Fulfill critical ethics continuing education requirements through a high-impact, one-hour recorded format that fits into any busy schedule.
• Actionable practice tools: Gain direct access to adaptable informed consent templates and clear, real-world strategies that immediately elevate clinical standards.

Learning Objectives: 

• Apply updated APA telepsychology guidelines to ensure ethical, legal, and competent delivery of telepsychology services across diverse clinical scenarios.
• Evaluate informed consent processes and data security protocols to protect client confidentiality and privacy when conducting telepsychology.
• Analyze interjurisdictional, documentation, and emergency planning considerations to maintain compliance with evolving telehealth regulations and best practices.

If you’re a psychologist looking to meet ethical obligations or striving for best practices, this course offers a valuable opportunity to update your skills and improve your telehealth delivery. Embracing these modern telepsychology benchmarks allows you to fulfill your ethical obligations while significantly enhancing the quality of remote care you provide. Register today to update your clinical skills, build bulletproof administrative protocols, and move forward with absolute professional confidence.