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Enhancing Telebehavioral Health Competencies: A Guide for LCSWs

Enhancing Telebehavioral Health Competencies: A Guide for LCSWs

The COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically shifted the landscape of clinical social work, necessitating the rapid adoption of telebehavioral health (TBH) practices. The research article "CTiBS and Clinical Social Work: Telebehavioral Health Competencies for LCSWs in the Age of COVID-19" outlines essential competencies that Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSWs) need to master to provide effective and ethical telehealth services. This blog aims to guide practitioners in enhancing their skills by implementing these competencies or encouraging further research.

According to the Coalition for Technology in Behavioral Science (CTiBS), the competency framework for TBH includes seven domains:

Each domain encompasses various subdomains and specific competencies that range from novice to authority levels. Here are some key areas to focus on:

Clinical Evaluation and Care

This domain includes competencies related to evaluation, treatment, and documentation. Practitioners must adapt their clinical skills to a virtual environment, ensuring that they can effectively evaluate and treat clients remotely. Important considerations include:

Legal and Regulatory Issues

Legal and regulatory considerations are crucial for ethical TBH practice. LCSWs must be familiar with HIPAA guidelines, obtain Business Associate Agreements (BAAs), and understand interjurisdictional practice laws. Key points include:

Conducting a systematic self-assessment of TBH knowledge and skills is essential for LCSWs to identify learning gaps and develop a professional development plan. Resources such as professional publications, webinars, and certification programs can aid in this process.

For a more comprehensive understanding of the CTiBS competency framework and its applications, LCSWs are encouraged to read the original research paper. This can provide deeper insights and additional guidance for enhancing telebehavioral health competencies.

To read the original research paper, please follow this link: CTiBS and Clinical Social Work: Telebehavioral Health Competencies for LCSWs in the Age of COVID-19.


Citation: Merrill, C. A., Maheu, M. M., Drude, K. P., Groshong, L. W., Coleman, M., & Hilty, D. M. (2022). CTiBS and Clinical Social Work: Telebehavioral Health Competencies for LCSWs in the Age of COVID-19. Clinical Social Work Journal, 50(2), 115-123. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10615-021-00827-7
Marnee Brick, President, TinyEYE Therapy Services

Author's Note: Marnee Brick, TinyEYE President, and her team collaborate to create our blogs. They share their insights and expertise in the field of Speech-Language Pathology, Online Therapy Services and Academic Research.

Connect with Marnee on LinkedIn to stay updated on the latest in Speech-Language Pathology and Online Therapy Services.

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