COVID-19 Practice Resources for Psychologists
The Manitoba Psychological Society provides the following list of resources for informational purposes only. MPS does not endorse specific resources or educational materials and it is the responsibility of the user of these resources to evaluate their suitability with respect to their specific needs and circumstances.
TELEPSYCHOLOGY
Overview documents:
Bibliography (source: Telebehavioral Health Institute)
This document includes over 1000 references and resources that are searchable by entering key words.
https://telehealth.org/bibliography/
General documents related to telepsychology:
COVID-19: Virtual Health Care Services: Ensuring Continuity of Care (source: BMS Insurance brokerage)
This is a general document addressing topics such as patient selection, insurance, telehealth platforms, communication with clients, and continuity of care.
https://cpa.ca/docs/File/Insurance/COVID-19_Telehealth%20Resource_2020%20(PSY).pdf
Psychological Association of Manitoba (PAM)
PAM released a general document regarding practice consideration during the current pandemic. This document includes a range of suggestions including comments regarding telepsychology platforms. Although PAM does not endorse any specific platforms it does identify those that should not be utilized as well as others that registrants may consider exploring (see fourth point on page 2).
https://www.cpmb.ca/documents/COVID%20Advisory.pdf
COVID-19 Tips: Building Rapport with Youth via Telehealth (source: UCLA Pediatric Psychology Consultation Liaison Service)
Tips are offered in the following areas: include setting the scene, ways to introduce telehealth, building rapport, and keeping kids engaged.
Creative Interventions for Online Therapy with Children: Techniques to Build Rapport (source: Liana Lowenstein, MSW)
This article offers examples of various teletherapy interventions for children 4 years and older)
http://www.lianalowenstein.com/artcileProfTeleplayLowenstein.pdf
Practice guidelines:
TelePsychology Practice Standards (source: PAM)
https://www.cpmb.ca/Telepsychology.php?c=1
Guidelines for the Practice of Telepsychology (source: APA)
https://www.apa.org/practice/guidelines/telepsychology
Practice related forms and checklists:
Informed consent checklist for telepsychology services (source: APA)
https://www.apa.org/practice/programs/dmhi/research-information/informed-consent-checklist
Sample informed consent for telepsychology (retrieved March 25, 2020 from https://parma.trustinsurance.com/Resource-Center/COVID-19-Resources
This document includes information about informed consent for telepsychology and provides a sample consent from in a word document that can be edited and adapted to meet individual clinician needs.
Office and technology checklist for telepsychology services (source: APA)
https://www.apa.org/practice/programs/dmhi/research-information/telepsychological-services-checklist
Telepsychology assessment checklist (source: College of Psychologists of British Columbia)
Telepsychology service checklist (source: College of Psychologists of British Columbia)
Identifying a secure telepsychology platform:
MPS is not in a position to recommend telepsychology platforms. However, a couple of more general documents about telepsychology provide some comments about selecting an appropriate platform. See General Documents Related to Telepsychology.
Interjurisdictional practice issues:
Psychological Association of Manitoba (PAM)
In light of the current pandemic, PAM has altered their interjurisdictional requirements on a temporary basis. Please see the announcements section of the PAM website for additional information.
https://www.cpmb.ca/
Temporary/telepsychological practice and COVID-19 (source: ASPPB)
Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB) recently compiled a list of provincial and state associations who have made temporary revisions to interjurisdictional requirements in light of the recent pandemic.
https://cdn.ymaws.com/www.asppb.net/resource/resmgr/covid19/temporary_interjuisdictional.pdf
Training webinars and videos:
Online Therapy: Introduction to Ethics and Best Practice C19 Edition (source: Dr. Christine Korol)
Dr. Korol is a psychologist with the Vancouver Anxiety Centre (https://vancouveranxiety.com) who has created a three-part video series on the topic of online therapy. Sessions are 40 mins., 75 mins., and 35 mins. in length.
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFmT332_Jx4u18qpVfo5B95uWJgEnvd7A
Telepsychology Best Practice 101 Series (source: APA)
For a limited time, APA is offering this four-part webinar series (2 hours each) at no cost to both members and non-members. You will be required to set up an account to access this series.
https://apa.content.online/catalog/product.xhtml?eid=15132&eid=1921
A practical guide to providing telepsychology with minimal risk (source: National Register of Health Service Psychologists)
This is a free 3-hour webinar being offered to members and non-members. It features Drs. Mary Alvord, Alex Siegel, and Eric Harris who are considered leaders in the practice, regulation, and risk management of telehealth.
https://www.nationalregister.org/npc-telepsych-video/
Introduction to Tele-Play Therapy: Considerations and Preparation (source: Dr. Rachel Alvater)
This free 46-minute video reviews logistical and practical information about setting up telepsychology services. The last 6 minutes discusses toy choices, and directive and non-directive interventions.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kmZJdC0eTbc&fbclid=IwAR03zdzOKwrR0BT-CO3rV-eINeT2mBhoaM_6bxd0OHGiiBcLguIQKiYaBqk
INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR PSYCHOLOGISTS
COVID-19: Insurance coverage position statement (source: BMS, insurance brokerage, CPA)
This document provides an overview of insurance coverage that members may have through their BMS insurance policy.
https://cpa.ca/docs/File/Insurance/COVID-19_Position%20Statement_CPA%20CPAP%20March%2019%202020.pdf
Webinar–CPA/CPAP: COVID-19 Telepsychology & Business Interruption Insurance (source: BMS, CPA)
During this 40 minute video, Mr. Brian Gomes (President and CEO of BMS) and Mr. Andrew McKenna (lawyer with Gowling WLG’s Ottawa Office) answers some of the common questions asked by psychologists.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RtG63Jx717E&feature=youtu.be
SELF-CARE FOR PSYCHOLOGISTS
Podcast—Self-Care for Psychologists (source: APA)
In this 15-minute podcast, Dr. Erica Wise, a psychologist and self-care expert, shares information regarding the importance of self-care for psychologists.
https://www.apaservices.org/practice/business/podcasts/self-care
Self-care resources for psychologists (source: APA)
This webpage includes a number of documents on a range of topics including occupational vulnerability for psychologists, risk factors and self-care for practitioners working with trauma clients, tips for self-care, etc.
https://www.apa.org/monitor/2014/04/self-care