Telemental Health and Distance Counseling: A Counselor's Guide to Decisions, Resources, and Practice

This timely text provides foundational knowledge and skills pertaining to ethical and evidence-based practice for mental health providers engaging in or considering using distance modalities to treat clients. Targeting day-to-day application, the book explains the core functions of Telemental Health counseling (TMH) and its use across a broad spectrum of mental health modalities and settings. Using the framework of the ACA divisions, ASCA, and CACREP core areas to examine TMH, the text provides instructions to develop skills that readers can apply directly to their own counseling interactions. Providing a wealth of information based on empirical and impartial views, the book helps readers examine the benefits and risks of distance counseling in various settings. It encompasses the history of TMH, ethical codes, legal guidelines, and recent research. Case studies and opportunities for self-reflection enable readers to envision distance counseling in real-world contexts, ask critical questions, and form conclusions about its utility in their practice. Of particular value is the "Voices from the Field" feature, where practitioners from different settings describe using distance counseling. The "Challenges and Opportunities" features discuss the pros and cons of telemental health practice. The book is written through the lens of professional counseling which makes it an ideal companion to Counselor Education program courses in Counseling Skills, Pre-Practicum, Advanced Theory, or elective coursework pertaining to distance counseling and telemental health. The purchase of the book includes digital access for use on most mobile devices or computers. Key Features: Includes critical content pertaining to the COVID-19 crisis Expands the view of distance counseling to include such varied professionals as mental health, school, family, couple, rehabilitation, addiction specialists, etc. Presents abundant case studies to provide context and practical application Addresses the positive and negative aspects of practicing distance counseling Includes ethical issues in each chapter pertaining to designated core areas or specialty Presents "Questions of Practice" to foster critical thinking regarding the use of TMH in specific roles or functions, Offers "Voices from the Field" with real-world examples focusing on practicing TMH within the designated core areas or specialties Emphasizes ethical, practical, and logistical TMH practice in all chapters Written through the lens of a professional counselor who is also a board-certified telemental health provider Includes digital access for use on most mobile devices or computers.

Table of Contents:
Chapter 1. History, Efficacy, and Demand for Telemental Health Counseling Introduction History of Telemedicine Demand for Distance Counseling and Telemental Health Efficacy of Distance Counseling and Telemental Health Distance Counseling across Specializations Limitations Education and Training Dilemma Conclusion Chapter 2. Overview of Distance Counseling and Telemental Health Introduction Definitions and Terminology Settings Platforms Modalities Certifications and Professional Organizations CACREP Standards and Technology Conclusion Chapter 3. Ethics and Professionalism in Telemental Health Introduction Counseling Ethical Codes Licensure and Credentialing Technology Challenges and Opportunities Case Study: Ethics and Professionalism Critical Questions in Deciding to Practice Voices from the Field Conclusion Chapter 4. Psychosocial and Multicultural Development Introduction Impact of Technology on Human Development Technology and Communication Cultural Implications Challenges and Opportunities Case Study: Psychological Development and Multicultural Development Critical Questions in Deciding to Practice Voices from the Field – Human Development Voices from the Field – Multicultural Development Conclusion Chapter 5. Individual Counseling and Telemental Health Introduction Logistics of the Individual Practice Nonverbal Communication and Distance Deficits Identifying Emotions Challenges and Opportunities Case Study: Individual Counseling Critical Questions in Deciding to Practice Voices from the Field Conclusion Chapter 6. Group Counseling via Telemental Health Introduction Distance Groups Open and Closed Groups Online Online Group Facilitation Skills Challenges and Opportunities Case Study: Online Group Counseling Critical Questions in Deciding to Practice Voices from the Field Conclusion Chapter 7. Career Development and Telemental Health Introduction Growth of Career Services Online Defining Distance Career Services Providing Distance Career Development Challenges and Opportunities Case Study: Career Developments Critical Questions in Deciding to Practice Voices from the Field Conclusoin Chapter 8. Assessment and Research using Telemental Health Introduction Telemental Health Assessment Ethics of Online Research Research and Assessment Data Challenges and Opportunities Case Study: Assessment Critical Questions in Deciding to Practice Voices from the Field Conclusion Chapter 9. Specialized Areas of Practice –  Children, Adolescents, and College Students via Telemental Health Introduction School Counseling Case Study application: School Counseling Critical Questions in Deciding to Practice Voices from the Field – School Counseling Student Affairs Counseling Case Study: Student Affairs Critical Questions in Deciding to Practice Voices from the Field – College Student Counseling Conclusion Chapter 10. Specialized Areas of Practice – Clinical Populations and Telemental Health Introduction Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) Case Study application: CMHC Critical Questions in Deciding to Practice Voices from the Field: CMHC Addictions Counseling Case Study application: Addictions Critical Questions in Deciding to Practice Voices from the Field: Addictions Counseling Conclusion Chapter 11. Specialized Areas of Practice –Relationships & Life Transitions via Telemental Health Introduction Marriage, Couples, and Family Counseling Case Study: Marriage, Couples, and Family Critical Questions in Deciding to Practice Voices from the Field – Family Counseling Rehabilitation Counseling/Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling Case Study application: Rehabilitation Counseling Critical Questions in Deciding to Practice Voices from the Field – Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling Conclusion Chapter 12. The Future of Distance Counseling and Telemental Health Introduction Pursuing Certification in Telemental Health Counseling Professional Development in Telemental Health Counseling Beginning a Telemental Health Practice Counselor Self-Care Implications for Counselor Educators & Supervisors Future Trends in Telemental Health Counseling/Distance Counseling Conclusion

About the Author :
Heather C. Robertson, PhD, LMHC, LPC, CASAC, CRC, NCC, ACS, BC-TMH is an Associate Professor of Counselor Education at St. John's University located in Jamaica, New York. She is the program coordinator for the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program in the School of Education.