As provider organizations rapidly shift to telehealth services to accommodate social distancing, there is a great deal of anxiety and uncertainty around best practices for engaging clients via these mediums. The fact of the matter is, telehealth services have long been recommended for enhancing client access to treatment, and have been demonstrated effective in doing so. Thus, in responding to this unprecedented crisis, providers have a very unique opportunity to learn how to effectively engage clients using telehealth technologies. The goal(s) of our work remain the same no matter the means of connection: in-person, over the telephone or via videoconference. Informed and intentional adaptations of in-person practices is the key to successfully assuring continuity of connection and services during this challenging time. Participants will review strategies for preparation, as well as skills to employ during, and following remote counseling conversations.

This course is being offered in a Zoom video session (i.e. facilitator and participants will be face-to-face on camera). Please consider the nature of the telehealth interventions most relevant to your work, when registering for this course.

This training meets the OASAS requirement for 1.5 renewal hours (CASAC, CPP, CPS) and 1.5 initial hours (CPP, CPS). To receive a Certificate of Completion for 1.5 CASAC hours, participants are required to attend the full 90 minutes.