- Live Webinar
Telehealth Webinar: Get Ahead of the Legal & Ethical Risks of Video Therapy & Using AI Tools
Dr. Melissa Westendorf
- Live Webinar
Current Status
Price
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Tuesday, November 17, 2026
10:00 AM ET – 5:30 PM ET
Overview:
This 6-hour training provides mental health professionals with a comprehensive overview of the ethical, legal, and practical considerations involved in delivering telebehavioral health services. As virtual care continues to be a permanent part of clinical practice, participants will explore current research supporting the effectiveness of telehealth, its benefits and limitations, and the ethical responsibilities associated with providing services remotely. The training will examine professional ethical codes across psychology, social work, counseling, and marriage and family therapy, while also addressing competency development, HIPAA and HITECH compliance, technology requirements, and secure communication practices.
In addition, participants will gain a clear understanding of state and federal regulations, interstate practice considerations, licensing compacts, and risk management strategies that help protect both clinicians and clients. Special attention will be given to professional boundary challenges unique to telehealth, including real-world licensing board complaint examples and practical recommendations for maintaining ethical boundaries in virtual settings. The training will also explore the emerging role of artificial intelligence in behavioral health, including ethical concerns, potential risks, and responsible ways clinicians can integrate AI tools into their practice while maintaining professional standards and client confidentiality.
Objectives:
Upon completion of this training, participants will be able to:
- Describe at least three ethical principles, professional standards, and codes of conduct that govern the delivery of telebehavioral health services across mental health disciplines.
- Define key federal regulations, including HIPAA and HITECH requirements, and apply these regulations to telebehavioral health practice.
- Differentiate state regulatory requirements related to telebehavioral health and explain at least three considerations for interstate and interjurisdictional practice, including licensing compacts and temporary practice provisions.
- Identify at least two potential risks associated with telebehavioral health services and explain how to implement risk management strategies to promote ethical and legally compliant practice.
- Distinguish between appropriate boundary crossings and boundary violations in telebehavioral health settings.
- Evaluate technology, communication, and documentation practices to ensure the secure and ethical delivery of telebehavioral health services.
- Identify at least two ethical concerns and potential risks associated with the use of artificial intelligence in behavioral health practice.
- Develop at least two strategies for the responsible and ethical integration of artificial intelligence tools into clinical practice while protecting client confidentiality and professional standards.
Scope and Limitations Disclosure
This 6-hour webinar covers ethical, legal, and practical considerations in telebehavioral health, including professional codes of conduct, HIPAA/HITECH compliance, interstate practice and licensing compacts, risk management, professional boundaries, and the ethical use of artificial intelligence tools in clinical practice. This training is educational in nature and does not substitute for individualized supervision, legal counsel, or specialty training when working with complex, high-risk, or legally ambiguous presentations. Participants are responsible for applying content consistent with their scope of practice, licensing board requirements, and applicable ethical standards. Completion of this training does not confer any independent credential, license, or certification beyond the provider’s certificate of completion.
Commercial Support Disclosure
Dr. Westendorf has authored two books, "Unplug: Raising Kids in a Technology Addicted World" and "Digital Distress, Growing Up Online," which may be referenced during this training for educational illustration purposes. No purchase of these or any other materials is required to complete this training. The presenter and provider report no other financial relationships, sponsorships, or commercial support related to the content of this course.
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Dr. Melissa Westendorf
Dr. Melissa Westendorf is a clinical and forensic psychologist, a certified telemental health provider, and a licensed attorney. Her education and experience allow her to have a unique understanding of the interplay of psychological and legal issues. Her services include criminal and civil forensic evaluations for courts and attorneys around the country. She has also served as a correctional psychologist, providing treatment to chronically mentally ill offenders and sexual offenders in the institution and the community. Dr. Westendorf is the founder of the Technology Wellness Center, one of the first organizations to address the global issue of technology overuse (e.g., computers, video games, cell phones, etc.). Her books, “Unplug: Raising Kids in a Technology Addicted World,” and “Digital Distress, Growing Up Online”, define the problem of technology addiction and guides parents on how to find a balance between technology use and a healthy lifestyle for their children and family. Dr. Westendorf is a past Board Member for the Wisconsin Psychology Examining Board. She has also served on several committees and boards for the Wisconsin Psychological Association and the American Psychological Association. She trains psychologists and lawyers on numerous topics, including suicide prevention, ethics in psychology, ethical and legal guidelines for providing tele mental health, and other relevant psycholegal issues.
National Approvals
eCare BHI, as the accredited and approved sponsor, maintains responsibility for all the programs and must abide by each board’s continuing education guidelines.
Professional Counselors — The National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC)
E Care Behavioral Health Institute has been approved by NBCC as an approved Continuing Education Provider. ACEP No. 6703. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC are clearly identified. E care Behavioral Health Institute is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.
Addiction Professionals — NAADAC, the Association for Addiction Professionals (NAADAC)
E Care Behavioral Health Institute is officially on file with NAADAC, the Association for Addiction Professionals (NAADAC) as an Approved Education Provider. They are formally known as NAADAC Provider #139138. Please note that E care Behavioral Health Institute is solely responsible for all aspects of the program.
Social Workers — Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB)
E Care Behavioral Health Institute, #1706, is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 06-03-2026 – 06-03-2029
Psychologists — American Psychological Association (APA)
E Care Behavioral Health Institute is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. E Care Behavioral Health Institute maintains responsibility for this program and its content.
CE Broker
CE Broker is a continuing education tracking system in which licensees track their compliance and report their completed CE hours credit (CE Broker Tracking #50-33336, #50-29024). eCare BHI directly reports CE hours to CE Broker for the following licensees:
- Professional Counselors and Mental Health Counselors — Florida, Kansas, Mississippi, New Hampshire, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, West Virginia
- Marriage and Family Therapists — Florida, Kansas, New Hampshire, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee
- Social Workers — Michigan, New Hampshire, Ohio, Texas, West Virginia
- Psychologists — Florida (Home Study Courses), Kansas, Michigan, New Hampshire, Wyoming
- Addiction Counselors — Kansas, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Ohio, South Carolina
- Other specialized licensees — Tennessee (Clinical Pastoral Therapist), South Carolina (Licensed Psycho-Educational Specialist), New Hampshire (Pastoral)
Licensees are encouraged to confirm reporting scope with their state board.
State Approvals
States that Accept ASWB-ACE Approved Providers | ||||||
| Alabama | Alaska | Arizona | Arkansas | California | Colorado | Connecticut |
| Delaware | District Of Columbia | Florida | Georgia | Hawaii | Idaho | Illinois |
| Indiana | Iowa | Kansas | Kentucky | Louisiana | Maine | Maryland |
| Massachusetts | Michigan | Minnesota | Mississippi | Missouri | Montana | Nebraska |
| Nevada | New Hampshire | New Jersey | New Mexico | North Carolina | North Dakota | Ohio |
| Oklahoma | Oregon | Pennsylvania | Rhode Island | South Carolina | South Dakota | Tennessee |
| Texas | Utah | Vermont | Virginia | Washington | West Virginia | Wisconsin |
| Wyoming | ||||||
States that Accepts NBCC Approved Courses: | ||||||
| Alabama | Alaska | Arizona | Arkansas | California | Colorado | Connecticut |
| Delaware | District Of Columbia | Florida | Georgia | Hawaii | Idaho | Indiana |
| Iowa | Maine | Maryland | Massachusetts | Missouri | New Hampshire | New Jersey |
| New Mexico | Ohio | Oregon | Pennsylvania | Rhode Island | South Carolina | South Dakota |
| Tennessee | Texas | Vermont | Virginia | Washington | Wisconsin | |
Notes:
- Nevada CPC’s and MFT’s accept ASWB-approved training
- North Dakota Board Of Counselor Examiners LAPC and LAPCS accept ASWB approved training
- Rhode Island Board of Mental Health Counselors and Marriage & Family Therapists MHC’s accept ASWB approved training
- Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council LPC and LPCS accept ASWB approved training
- Utah Division of Professional Licensing – CMHC’s accept ASWB approved training
- Washington State Department of Mental Health MHC’s accept ASWB approved training
- Wisconsin Council on Mental Health LPCS accepts ASWB-approved training
States that Accept NAADAC Approved Providers | ||||||
| Alabama | Alaska | Arizona | Arkansas | Delaware | Hawaii | Indiana |
| Kentucky | Maine | Massachusetts | Minnesota | Montana | Nevada | New Jersey |
| New Jersey | New Mexico | North Carolina | North Dakota | Oregon | Rhode Island | Tennessee |
| Vermont | Virginia | Washington | West Virginia | Wisconsin | Wisconsin | Wyoming |
States that Accept APA Approved Providers | ||||||
| Alabama | Alaska | Arizona | Arkansas | California | Delaware | District Of Columbia |
| Florida | Georgia | Idaho | Illinois | Indiana | Iowa | Kansas |
| Kentucky | Louisiana | Maryland | Massachusetts | Minnesota | Mississippi | Missouri |
| Montana | Nebraska | New Jersey | New Mexico | North Dakota | Ohio | Oklahoma |
| Pennsylvania | Rhode Island | South Carolina | Tennessee | Utah | Vermont | Virginia |
| Washington | West Virginia | Wisconsin | Wyoming | |||
Note: Please note that Individual Board Rules are subject to potential changes. The approval and acceptance details we furnish are accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time of documentation.
Should you have any inquiries or uncertainties not addressed by the provided information, it’s advisable to consult your State Regulatory Board. Ultimately, the decision of whether your license renewal credit hours are accepted or denied rests with you.
Georgia Addiction Counselor: E Care BHI is recognized by the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Certification Board of Georgia as an approved education provider for Addiction Counselors (ADACBGA) #19-12-17-1212.
Florida Addiction Counselor: E Care BHI is recognized by the Florida Certification Board as an approved education provider for Addiction Counselor (FCB) #5387-A.
Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage & Family Therapy & Mental Health Counseling: The Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage & Family Therapy & Mental Health Counseling accepts courses from ASWB & NBCC approved providers. E Care Behavioral Health Institute is an ASWB and NBCC approved provider.
Oklahoma Addiction Counselor: E Care BHI is recognized by the Oklahoma State Board of Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselors as an approved education provider for Addiction Counselors (OBLADC) #20220136.
Oklahoma Board of Behavioral Health Licensure: E Care BHI is an approved CE provider for LPC & LMFT
Ohio Addiction Counselor: E Care BHI is recognized by the Ohio Chemical Dependency Professionals Board as an approved education provider for Addiction Counselor (OCDP)#50-29024.
Note: eCare’s OCDP-approved courses are for renewal continuing education only and do not fulfill initial CDCA Preliminary or CDCA certification requirements.
The Ohio Counselor, Social Worker, and Marriage and Family Therapist Board accepts courses from ASWB & NBCC approved providers. E Care Behavioral Health Institute is an ASWB and NBCC approved provider.
VA Mental Health Employee: E Care BHI VA COMMERCIAL VENDOR # 81-3353387-01
California Consortium of Addiction Programs and Professionals (CCAPP): E Care BHI is recognized by the California Consortium of Addiction Programs and Professionals (CCAPP) Provider Number OS-22-344-0526
Connecticut Certification Board CCB Approved): E Care BHI is recognized & approved by the Connecticut Certification Board.
Texas Certification Board (TCB): E Care Behavioral Health Institute is recognized by the Texas Certification Board as an approved education provider. Number 2041-19
South Carolina E Care Behavioral Health Institute is recognized by the Professional Counselors, Marriage & Family Therapists, and Psycho-Educational Specialists licensing board as an approved education provider Provider #4628
New York (MHC) E Care Behavioral Health is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors #MHC-0277
New York (SW) E Care Behavioral Health Institute is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #SW-0745 LA-ADRA – E Care Behavioral Health Institute is recognized by Louisiana The Addictive Disorder Regulatory Authority as an approved educational provider AEP #E122
Who This Training is For:
This program is intended for mental health professionals such as Social Workers, Mental Health Counselors, Addiction Counselors, & MFT’s. Psychologists are encouraged to verify if this specific course meets their board’s approval requirements.
CE Guarantee
If you miss the live event or are dissatisfied with the session, we are happy to offer a course credit transfer to another course of equal CE value
Replay Access
After the live session, we'll send you the recording for your own resource that you can review later at your own pace
Interactive Experience
Enjoy your learning experience with engaging activities such as group discussion, vignettes, roleplaying, video demos, etc.
If you're from Florida, Ohio, or South Carolina, we'll report your CEs to the CE broker
How It Works
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Frequently Asked Questions
Once you register for this training, the course will immediately appear in your account dashboard. Inside, you’ll see a countdown timer. And once the scheduled time arrives, the live session will begin from there!
Of course! If you sign up but miss the live session… The recording will be added to your account Dashboard within 48 hours after the live session with an email notification of instructions. You will also receive home-study CE credits for watching the recording.
Yes, we have limited seating on our live webinars to keep the sessions as interactive & engaged as possible. So be sure to claim your spot before it’s too late!
No. Live webinar attendees are not required to take or pass a quiz to receive a CE certificate. (But yes for recorded webinars). You are required to pass a quiz with an 80% passing grade with 3 attempts only for recorded webinars.
Yes, we are approved Continuing Education providers by ASWB, NBCC, NAADAC, APA, & many state boards.
Programs that do not qualify for ASWB, NBCC, NAADAC, & APA are clearly identified. eCare Behavioral Health Institute is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.
To view all of our board approvals, click here
Live Webinar CE Courses:
- Refunds are only eligible if the refund was requested 48 hours before the scheduled live event.
- If the customer missed the live event, or was unsatisfied from it – We can transfer credits to another course of their choice (with same CE credit amount).
Unlimited CEs for $297/year
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