4. Counselors shall ensure that all electronic technology communications with clients are encrypted and secure. 5. Counselors shall maintain records of all clinical contacts with telemental health service clients. 6. Counselors shall set clear expectations and boundaries with telemental health service recipients about the type(s) and timing of communications that will be included in service provision. These shall be communicated in writing in disclosure documents provided to clients. 7. Counselors shall provide written information to all telemental health clients regarding the protection of client records, accounts and related passwords, electronic communications, and client identity. This information should include a description of the nature of all communication security measures that are used by the counselor, including any risks or limitations related to the provision of telemental health services. 8. Counselors shall communicate information regarding security to clients who receive telemental health services. 9. Counselors shall screen potential telemental health service clients to determine whether such services are appropriate. These considerations shall be documented in the client’s record. Counselors shall advise telemental health services clients that they must be intentional about protecting their privacy and confidentiality, including advice concerning viewing employer policies relating to the possible prohibitions concerning the use of work on computer systems for personal communications, and not using “auto-remember” usernames and passwords. 10. During the screening or intake process, Counselors shall provide potential clients with a detailed written description of the telemental health counseling process and service provision including: a. The appropriateness of telemental health counseling in relation to the specific goal; b. The format of service delivery; c. The electronic equipment requirements such as the need for a computer with certain capabilities; d. The limitations of confidentiality; privacy concerns; the possibility of technological failure; e. Anticipated response time to electronic communication; f. Alternate service delivery processes; and, g. Any additional considerations necessary to assist the potential client in reaching a determination about the appropriateness of the telemental health service delivery format for their needs, and document such information and the discussion of alternative service options and referrals in the client’s record. 11. Counselors shall prevent the distribution of confidential telemental health client information to unauthorized individuals and discuss actions the client may take to reduce the possibility that such confidential information is sent to unauthorized individuals in error. 12. Counselors shall provide clients of telemental health services with information concerning their professional preparation and/or credentials related to telemental health and identify the relevant credentialing organization websites. 13. Counselors, either prior to or during the initial session, shall inform clients of the purposes, goals, procedures, limitations, potential risks and benefits of telemental health services and techniques, and information about rights and responsibilities as appropriate to the telemental health service.
14. In the event that the client of telemental health services is a minor or is unable to provide legal consent, the counselor shall obtain a legal guardian’s consent prior to the provision of services unless otherwise required by State law. 15. Counselors shall retain documentation indicating the legal guardian’s identity and consent in the client’s file. 16. Counselors will provide clients of telemental health services with specific written procedures regarding emergency assistance situations related to a client. This information shall include the identification of emergency responders near the client’s location. 17. Counselors shall take reasonable steps to secure referrals for recipients when needed for emergencies. 18. Counselors shall provide information to clients concerning the importance of identifying personal contacts in the event of identified emergency situations and shall ask clients to identify such contacts. 19. Counselors also shall identify to the clients the circumstances in which the counselor will communicate with emergency contacts, and the information that will be shared with emergency contacts. 20. Counselors shall develop written procedures for verifying the identity of each telemental health client, their current location, and readiness to proceed at the beginning of each contact. Examples of verification include the use of code words, phrases, or inquiries, such as “Is this a good time to proceed?” 21. Counselors shall limit use of client information obtained through social media sources (e.g., Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter) in accordance with established practice procedures provided to the client at the initiation of services and as adopted through the ongoing informed consent process. 22. Counselors shall retain telemental health service records for a minimum of five (5) years unless applicable state laws require additional time. Social Media and Technology 109.Counselors shall provide services pursuant to an appropriate written policy which regulates the use of social media and other related digital technology with respect to current and former clients. Policy shall also identify that client and counselor personal accounts are distinct from social media accounts used for professional purposes. 110.Counselors shall be familiar with the use of privacy and security settings of social media and other electronic platforms utilized for telemental health service provision. 111. Counselors shall not publish confidential client information on any social media platform, including updates, and blogs, without the consent of the client. To facilitate the secure provision of information, counselors shall inform clients prior to or during the initial session about secure and appropriate ways to communicate with them. Counselors also shall advise clients about the potential risks of sending messages through digital technology and social media sources. 112.Counselors who use digital technology for professional purposes shall only post information related to professional services, such as information concerning advocacy, educational purposes, and marketing, that does not create multiple relationships or threaten client confidentially. 113.Counselors shall respect the privacy of a client’s social media material and accounts and shall not access client social media accounts without specific
EliteLearning.com/Counselor
Book Code: PCUS1525
Page 14
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