Interested in TeleMental Health? Dr. Maheu Trains Interested Psychologists at 2012 APA Convention

July 25, 2012 - PRLog -- Orlando, Florida –   Dr. Marlene Maheu, Executive Director of the TeleMental Health Institute, Inc., has been a pioneer in the telehealth industry with a focus on research and development in telemental health since 1994.  She is very pleased that the American Psychological Association (APA) is increasing training options for psychologists who are interested in learning more about the numerous critical aspects of providing telemental health services.  She is very pleased that the American Psychological Association (APA) is increasing training options for psychologists who are interested in learning more about the numerous critical aspects of providing telemental health services.
One of the primary drives behind the development and implementation of telehealth services is the need to provide medical and mental health treatment to individuals who live in rural and underserved areas.  Such individuals often have limited access to much needed services, and telehealth is a treatment modality targeted at meeting the demand for comprehensive health care.  Despite the good intentions of telehealth programs, Dr. Maheu warns that it is necessary for mental health professionals to consider and understand the legal and ethical issues related to providing telepsychology services.  
Dr. Maheu will chair an APA symposium entitled, Expanding Telehealth Service Models to Underserved Populations with Chronic Illness and Disability, on Saturday, August 4, 2012 from 4:00 to 5:50 PM in which she will focus on the often misunderstood legal and ethical issues related to telehealth in the context of providing telemental health services to culturally diverse, disabled, and underserved populations. Funding is often available for serving these groups of patients, so training our professionals to understand technology is needed nationwide. This symposium offers 2 CEs. APA attendees can find a detailed online program on the APA Convention website.
The TeleMental Health Institute, Inc. is the leading online telemental health training institute, devoted exclusively to addressing the emerging opportunities and challenges of telepsychiatry, telepsychology, online counseling, online therapy and coaching. Contact:   Marlene M. Maheu, Ph.D., Executive Director, TeleMental Health Institute, Inc., http://support.telehealth.org/open.php