TPC Journal-V6, Issue 4- FULL ISSUE

The Professional Counselor /Volume 6, Issue 4 393 considerations that are unique to telemental health practice include legal and ethical requirements for training, protocols for emergency services, location and identity verification, and an informed consent process that is specific to telemental health (NBCC, 2016). Some state licensure boards require documentation of informed consent in addition to other security requirements, such as identifying the client’s local emergency services and verifying the client’s identity and age. Barnett and Kolmes (2016a, 2016b) discussed the risks associated with telemental health practices based on two cases and provided suggestions for practice, including specific competencies in telemental health, technology, general telemental health, multicultural practice, clinical practice for telemental health (e.g., assessing client’s appropriateness for telemental health), process of informed consent (e.g., fees, confidentiality, verification of legal consent), licensing issues, ethical issues (e.g., duty to warn, reporting abuse), and adequate liability insurance coverage. The number of telemental health competencies and concerns, including the use of technology (e.g., encryption), indicates a need for counselors to seek telemental training and guidance before engaging in telemental health services. In a recent survey, Ford et al. (2012) discovered that clinicians reported the need for training on equipment use as one of the biggest challenges for effective service delivery. With sound training and competencies in place, counselors can take advantage of the benefits of telemental health by providing care for people who are not able to seek face-to-face counseling servic- es (e.g., rural and frontier clients). Mental health professions are increasing the capability to reach the underserved through technology and telemental health practices. As technology and policies change, professional counselors are encouraged to become and stay literate in the efficacy and best practices for telemental health services. Professional counselors are challenged to be aware that telemental health in general is growing rapidly, and the dynamics of the profession (e.g., laws, ethics, technology and reimbursement) are increasing counselors’ capability to serve the underserved through technology. Counselors who do not incorporate telemental health services into their practice may limit their practice as clients may seek accessible online providers in the near future (Myers & Turvey, 2013). Also, counselors who adopt telemental health services will capture more market share as the medical community heeds the incentives to make electronic service referrals and integrate telehealth and telemental health into medical practice. Conclusion Telemental health is no longer something of the future (Mallen et al., 2005). Telemental health is occurring now and rapidly expanding. Professional counselors, counselor educators, leaders in the counseling profession and state licensure boards are encouraged to consider the terminology used when creating regulations and how these decisions may impact the application of counseling services. Also, licensure boards may feel compelled to use all-inclusive language to cover future possibilities of telemental health practice. Broad terms such as electronic may be all-inclusive but are not aligned with common vernacular among practitioners and do not reflect the research or terminology used by associated entities (e.g., insurance companies that reimburse for services). However, common terminology such as telemental health and online counseling could be used to help counselors identify these policies within professional codes of ethics, state licensure laws, and other documents. In addition, researchers must consider the terminology used within publications to increase understanding among readers and minimize confusion in the profession.