Guest speaker: Nancy A. Roget, MS, MFT, LADC

The uptake in the use of telebehavioral services since the start of the Public Health Emergency (PHE) has been swift and may significantly transform how behavioral health services are delivered. This is encouraging, as the research base for assessing and treating mental health conditions virtually is extensive and over 60 years old. However, for substance use disorders (SUDs), the research is less extensive and more recent. Mental health and SUD treatment services provided virtually are effective and serve as viable alternatives to in-person service delivery. Patients confirm high levels of satisfaction with telebehavioral health, while practitioners report more reluctance. Nonetheless, training has been shown to build practitioners’ skills, confidence, and competency. This webinar will include a brief review of: telebehavioral health research and its efficacy; strategies that promote skill development; and resources related to guidelines, privacy/security, and confidentiality rules/regulations. Finally, the virtualization of behavioral health services post PHE will be highlighted.

At the end of this presentation participants will be able to:

• Explain at least two of the findings from systematic reviews regarding the efficacy of telebehavioral health
• Identify two advantages reported by patients and two advantages reported by clinical staff regarding the use of telebehavioral health
• Cite how to access telebehavioral health guidelines and resources
• Critique the virtualization of SUD treatment and recovery support services and its potential impact on service delivery post Public Health Emergency