Products and Resources Catalog

Virtual reality (VR) is an immersive technology that creates a simulated experience. Unlike traditional media, such as television or computer screens, VR offers a three-dimensional (3D) experience. One of the remarkable aspects of VR is Social VR, which allows individuals to interact with each other in 3D virtual spaces in real-time. This interaction is facilitated through the use of 360-degree immersive content and head-mounted displays, providing a sense of presence and realism in virtual interactions. In this session, Sarah E. Clingan, Ph.D., Associate Project Scientist at UCLA Integrated Substance Abuse Programs, delves into the current state of VR technology, particularly focusing on its application in treating substance use disorders. The presentation explores how VR can be utilized in therapeutic settings, offering insights into both the proven benefits and potential applications of VR that have yet to be fully explored or tested. This exploration includes examining how VR can simulate various environments and scenarios, which could be instrumental in developing new treatment strategies for substance use disorders. Download slides | Download citations handout | View recording

A brief explainer on what Technology Transfer is.

    The ATTC Network hosted a webinar by Abt Associates as part of a recent SAMHSA Advisory.   Summary: The last decade has seen immense changes in digital health, with increased use of electronic medical records, mobile applications, and wearable devices. During the COVID-19 pandemic, telehealth expanded access to care for millions of people and was a critical resource to meet the behavioral healthcare needs of individuals with mental health conditions and substance use disorders. Digital therapeutics (DTx) are health software intended to treat or alleviate a disease, disorder, condition, or injury by generating and delivering a medical intervention that has a demonstrable positive therapeutic impact on a patient's health. DTx play an important role in facilitating care through technology. This webinar will introduce the audience to a recently released SAMHSA advisory on DTx and the benefits of their use in behavioral health. The webinar will describe research, regulatory, and reimbursement implications for DTx, selection and implementation considerations, and issues related to equitable access of DTx in behavioral health. Through a roundtable format, the webinar will also highlight one state’s success in integrating DTx into its service provision.   Watch Now: DTx Webinar SAMHSA Guide: DTx Advisory Slide Deck: DTx Presentation

The goal of the National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA) Clinical Trials Network/Addiction Technology Transfer Center (ATTC) webinar series is to help scholars and clinicians in the addiction field stay abreast of cutting-edge science. The uptake in the use of telebehavioral services since the start of the Public Health Emergency (PHE) has been swift and is significantly transforming how behavioral health services are delivered. 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. Using technology to facilitate clinical or recovery support sessions requires clinicians and peer support specialists to simulate real-time experiences (Hilty, 2002) that promote a therapeutic alliance (treatment) or connection (peer support). However, virtual service delivery requires some careful modification of the clinicians’ or peer support specialists’ skills to ensure engagement occurs and positive working relationships are developed. This webinar, presented by Nancy A. Roget, MS, MFT, LADC and Maryellen Evers, LCSW, CAADAC, CMFSW, included a brief review of: telebehavioral health research and its efficacy, strategies that promote skill development, how to create a virtual presence, resources related to guidelines and tips, and comments regarding hybrid service delivery. Co-sponsored by the Northwest and Pacific Southwest ATTCs and the Western States Node of the NIDA Clinical Trials Network. Download slides | View recording

Sample Policies for the Delivery of SUD-related Services  via Audio-Only Telehealth    The Pacific Southwest and Mountain Plains Addiction Technology Transfer Centers created a new product to assist behavioral health providers and peer support specialists that provide services to People with Substance Use Disorders (PWSUDs) using the telephone (mobile, landline, or internet phones). This document provides sample policies and recommended practices that behavioral health providers and peer support specialists can use and/or adapt to help guide the delivery of Audio-Only Telehealth (AOTs). Many behavioral health treatment and peer support experts predict that patients/clients/peers will receive services in a hybrid delivery mode (in-person, videoconferencing, and telephone) in the near future. As such, behavioral health providers and peer support specialists will need to expand their skills and competencies while agencies and/or organizations will need policies and practices in place to guide service delivery utilizing AOTs. This product can be used as a starting point to assist in the implementation of AOTs or to enhance current AOTs. Additional products, infographics with tips, and training events regarding AOTs will be coming soon.

The switch from in-person to virtual service delivery as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic not only changed how clinical services are provided, but also the way clinical supervision is conducted. This self-paced training describes the key skills and tools necessary to provide high quality clinical supervision virtually. Topics include creative engagement strategies for the virtual format, best practices, goal setting, and a discussion about the future of clinical tele-supervision.   Steps to participate: Register for the no-cost, self-paced course. Login to your account on mtplainsattc.org. Watch the webinar. Complete the post-test with a score of at least 80%. Download your 1 CE certificate.  

Electronic newsletter of the Great Lakes ATTC, MHTTC, and PTTC.  March 2021 issue features include The Counselor's Corner, published research, Indiana spotlight, and a complete calendar of events March 16-31, 2021. 

      DESCRIPTION The pandemic has brought challenges and disruption to substance use disorder services along with opportunities. The presentation will examine these new opportunities and “how to get there.”     LEARNING OBJECTIVES Participants will: Recognize some of the opportunities that have resulted from the pandemic. Explore the role of resilience in responding to service needs during the pandemic, and as a path to opportunities.     PRESENTER Sheila Weix, MSN, RN, CARN During her tenure as a leader in SUD treatment, Sheila Weix has been involved with emergencies related to the HIV epidemic, 9/11, and the 2008 economic collapse. She is currently applying this experience in an outpatient treatment service that includes medication-assisted treatment in rural Wisconsin during the COVID19 pandemic.     IN CASE YOU MISSED IT... Video: Substance Use Disorder Services in the Days of a Pandemic (Part 1) Video: Substance Use Disorder Services in the Days of a Pandemic (Part 2)  

This 2020 series, presented by Sara Smucker Barnwell, PhD, a clinical psychologist, consisted of 6 weekly 2-hour webinars on a range of topics useful for practitioners engaging in telehealth sessions with clients:   Frequently Asked Questions about telemental health   Introduction to Telemental Health View recording (2 hrs) | Download slides (3x page) | Download slides (full size)   Preparing Your Office for Telemental Health View recording (2 hrs) | Download slides (3x page) | Download slides (full size)   Client Selection, Intake, and Assessment in Telemental Health View recording (2 hrs) | Download slides (3x page) | Download slides (full size)   Clinical Engagement in Telemental Health View recording (2 hrs) | Download slides (3x page) | Download slides (full size)   Emergencies, Disruptions, and Pitfalls in Telemental Health View recording (2 hrs) | Download slides (3x page) | Download slides (full size)   Risk Management in Telemental Health View recording (2 hrs) | Download slides (3x page) | Download slides (full size)   For more information and resources related to this topic, visit our Telehealth & Telemental Heath page.

Click "download" above to access: Transcript & Slide Deck   The Great Lakes ATTC offers this training for behavioral health professionals in HHS Region 5: IL, IN, MI, MN, OH, and WI.   The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a seismic shift in how practitioners provide services. With the sudden shift to virtual services, practitioners have been required to learn new ways of doing their essential work, but with little guidance about how to make those sessions work. Prevention Research Institute began providing virtual training services in the addictions treatment field in 2012 and since then has extended this work to prevention and assisting people in the delivery of virtual services. This session will focus on the pragmatic questions of how to do these services with practical suggestions about what helps and what interferes with client engagement, how to prevent problems, and how to manage when challenges arise. The instructors will use a dynamic blend of didactic, discussion and activities to explore these issues and keep learners engaged.   LEARNING OBJECTIVES At the conclusion of the session, participants will: Articulate three steps to take before the virtual session to enhance the likelihood of success Describe three methods to enhance participant engagement Identify three important equipment considerations for virtual sessions Delineate two approaches for managing challenges in a virtual setting   PRESENTER David B. Rosengren, Ph.D, President and CEO, Prevention Research Institute; MINT Member; IPPA Member          

At the beginning of the Public Health Emergency (PHE) Substance Use Disorder (SUD) treatment and recovery support providers had to shift service delivery from a mostly in-person structure to virtual. This swift uptake in the use of telebehavioral-health may be transformative not only for the healthcare system but for the behavioral health field as well. Support derived from clinical and peer group services is essential especially during a PHE when access to services may be limited. SUD treatment and recovery providers have made great strides in virtualizing service delivery especially individual-based services. However, group counseling services, a mainstay in many SUD treatment and recovery support programs, has been more difficult to implement. This two-part webinar series will: review recent research regarding patient satisfaction,  group cohesion, and effectiveness of online group services identify challenges typically associated with online group facilitation and how to address them provide specific recommendations for online group facilitation and how it differs from in-person groups (e.g., tips and techniques, group agreements, etc.) discuss safety protocols, and issues related to ethics and privacy/security and confidentiality in the context of online group case scenarios This webinar series will highlight online group counseling services and will demonstrate its viability as an alternative to traditional in-person groups requiring new facilitative, alliance building, and administrative skills for both counselors and peers.   Telebehavioral Health Group Service Delivery Part 1   Telebehavioral Health Group Service Delivery Part 2

This is a list of resources that has been compiled (and continues to be updated) during the National American Indian and Alaska Native ATTC's various listening sessions. This guide is tailored for behavioral health providers who are Native and/or are working with American Indian and Alaska Native individuals. Topics include: general resources, telehealth, resources for children/youth, self-care, staying connected, diversity and equity, and upcoming relevant events. To download this resource guide, please use the "DOWNLOAD" button located above.

Monthly electronic newsletter of the Great Lakes ATTC, MHTTC, and PTTC.  November 2020 features: Native American Heritage Month, launch of the new Peer Recovery Center of Excellence, and new products: Counselor's Corner, Stigma Basics, and Telehealth Survey Results-Mental Health.   

Given the context of the current COVID-19 pandemic and a significant opportunity to carry the momentum of utilizing telehealth services moving forward, the Mountain Plains staff developed and delivered a training/technical assistance plan for Colorado Problem-Solving Courts Judicial Officers, Coordinators and Clinicians that included: a Telehealth Summary document and a two-part webinar series -Part I: Digital Health Technologies: Navigating New Models to Enhance and Expand Service Delivery and Part II: The Effectiveness and Utility of Videoconferencing (Telehealth): The Future is Here. This two-part webinar series examined the use of digital health technologies as a way to expand and enhance service delivery, as well as the effectiveness and utility in videoconferencing as it relates to substance use disorder treatment and recovery support services. Both webinars were recorded and are accessible for download.   Utilizing Digital Technologies & Videoconferencing Webinar Series - Part 1 To download, follow the link above and click 'Download' below the video.  Download PowerPoint   Utilizing Digital Technologies & Videoconferencing Webinar Series - Part 2 To download, follow the link above and click 'Download' below the video. Download PowerPoint  

COVID-19 Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Telehealth Response and Sustainability Assessment is a research study on the use of virtual behavioral health services during the pandemic. Its purpose is to gain a better understanding of: How agencies are using telehealth The pros and cons of telehealth services Projected use of telehealth services post-pandemic   Thank you to those who participated in our survey. Your input will be invaluable in our study of telehealth services in the era of COVID-19 and beyond.  

Mid-America ATTC partnered with the Mid-America MHTTC, and Mountain Plains MHTTC and recently completed the Telehealth Learning and Consultation (TLC) Tuesdays, an online series for providers new to or unfamiliar with telehealth to ask questions of our specialists and hear practical advice. This FAQ document encompasses all of the frequently asked questions from the Telehealth Learning and Consultation (TLC) Tuesdays series. Author(s): Roberts, H., Higgins, W., Franta, E., Chadwell, M., Clarke, B.L., Robinson, L./MMI and Mid-America MHTTC

LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Provide an overview of telehealth and technology-based interventions best practices, HIPAA-compliance measures, and ethical considerations. Review all applicable Federal and Maryland telehealth practice regulations and policy expectations, including those related to the global pandemic emergency declaration. Offer an opportunity for interactive, real-time exploration of the application of telehealth skills, knowledge, and policy. Provide information about additional Federal and State resources for continued learning   PRESENTER: Jay Ostrowski, MA, LPC-S, NCC, ACS, BC-TMH, is an informative and entertaining trainer and expert in Telemental Health. As the CEO of Behavioral Health Innovation, he serves as a Telemental Health trainer and consultant for SAMHSA, HRSA, Universities, State governments and healthcare organizations. He’s the founder and Director of both the Telebehavioral Center of Excellence for the University of Virginia and the Board Certification in Telemental Health. He's created 9 peer-reviewed telemental health courses and designed/developed 12 telehealth software platforms to date, including Adaptive Telehealth, the most versatile telehealth software on the market. As a research partner with Harvard Medical School, Jay keeps up with the changing state license requirements for 8 healthcare professions across all US States and DC. He also serves as the go-to person for the Mid-Atlantic Telehealth Resource Center for Telemental Health providing Telebehavioral Health training and consultations. You can connect with Jay Ostrowski on LinkedIn or through any of the above organizations.   This webinar is provided in collaboration with the Maryland Department of Health Behavioral Health Administration, Central East Addiction Technology Transfer Center and Mid-Atlantic Telehealth Resource Center.   

Great Lakes Current August 2020 Monthly e-newsletter of the Great Lakes ATTC, MHTTC, and PTTC. 

Great Lakes Current July 2020: Monthly e-newsletter of the Great Lakes ATTC, MHTTC, and PTTC. 

The YouTube Channel of the Great Lakes ATTC, MHTTC, and PTTC. Features recorded webinars presented by the three Great Lakes projects, organized in playlists specific to each project. Topic-specific webinar are also organized in specific playlists, such as Great Lakes Regional Health Equity & Cultural Competency Resources. 

The Mid-America Addiction Technology Transfer Center (ATTC) and Mid-America Mental Health Technology Transfer Center (MHTTC) are conducting a study on the use of virtual behavioral health services during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. We ask that you complete this survey on behalf of the TTC Network because we wish to hear your perspectives on this issue. If you choose to participate in this voluntary study, please fill out the following survey developed by the Great Lakes ATTC/MHTTC to gain a better understanding of a) how telehealth is being used during the evolving pandemic, b) its benefits, c) its problems, and d) projected use after the pandemic. Link to survey (you may need to cut and paste into your browser): https://redcap.ictr.wisc.edu/surveys/?s=3TTNTF7DL3  To receive a copy of the survey results for your state, please provide your email at the end of the survey. Survey results will also be available at the following websites:  Mid-America ATTC: https://attcnetwork.org/centers/mid-america-attc/home Mid-America MHTTC: https://mhttcnetwork.org/centers/mid-america-mhttc/home Great Lakes ATTC: https://attcnetwork.org/centers/great-lakes-attc/home  Please contact Todd Molfenter at [email protected] if you have any questions. 

With the rapid onset of the public health emergency, COVID-19, the use of technology and social media by behavioral health practitioners, for personal and professional purposes, has increased dramatically. As such, ethical and practice issues, like self-disclosure in postings, unintentional boundary crossings and violations, privacy and security issues, and social media concerns, reflect just some of the new dilemmas that providers face today. Therefore, developing ethical competency and proficiency regarding use of technology and social media given this rapid virtualization are more important than ever before in today’s virtual world. This 90-minute webinar will provide an overview of common ethical dilemmas that behavioral health providers face related to technology, such as social network sites, videoconferencing, web-based search engines, blogs, online practitioners’ reviews, etc. Case scenarios will be used to highlight these dilemmas and encourage discussions among participants related to: 1) the use of social networking sites by clinical supervisors, providers, and clients; 2) posting comments or pictures online that may violate privacy and security or disparage the profession; 3) emailing, texting and utilizing video conferencing with clients; 4) conducting Internet searches on clients; 5) social media policy dos and don’ts from practitioner and organizational perspectives; and 6) recent rulings and new state laws that may impact an organization's social media policy for employees.   Learning Objectives: At the end of this training, participants will be able to: Name three ethical concerns related to the use of technology and social media Discuss two elements that behavioral health providers must consider before posting content on-line Recall three social media policy issues that may put organizations at risk if not addressed appropriately Identify two concerns providers must keep in mind when addressing critical online reviews by clients  

This document provides clinicians/counselors useful tips based on guidelines for delivering services virtually.  

April 30th, 2020- "What Healthcare Providers Need to know about Telehealth Laws and COVID-19 HIPAA Guidelines" (PDF). This webinar will provide a brief overview of telehealth laws from federal and state levels.     Objectives: · The necessity of identifying and explaining COVID-19 HIPAA emergency compliance laws for healthcare organizations · To identify types of technology that can be used during the COVID-19 Pandemic · To be familiar with state Medicaid and Medicare telehealth laws and fees for services according to HIPAA guidelines during the COVID-19 Pandemic · Participants will identify potential ethical and treatment dilemmas that can impact client care and solutions to remedy problems · HIPAA compliant technology and documentation that is needed to implement an effective HIPAA telehealth program Presenter:  Dr. Lucy R. Cannon, LCSW, CCDP-D, MATS Lucy R. Cannon is the CEO/Owner of LEJ Behavioral Health Services, LLC, a training and consulting company in Metropolitan Atlanta. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the states of Georgia and Alabama. She has the following certifications; CCDP-D, ICCDPD, and MATS.Dr. Cannon has been a clinician, supervisor, director, and consultant of mental health and co-occurring disorders programs in inpatient and outpatient healthcare organizations and psychiatric hospitals in various states in the United States. She is an Adjunct Professor at Clark Atlanta University School of Social Work.She serves on various healthcare organizations boards of directors and advisory boards.