Crisis in the behavioral health classroom: Enhancing knowledge, skills, and attitudes in telehealth training

Abstract

This chapter/article identifies and discusses the urgent need for ongoing telemental health training (TMHTr) for mental health trainees and professionals across several relevant disciplines. A brief historical introduction compares technologies used in the past to educate and train mental health professionals with current ones, noting both the sea change that has occurred just in the past few decades and anticipating equally impressive advances yet to come. Six specific training needs for TMHTr are identified as examples of its relevance and applicability: TMH therapy, case conceptualization and mechanisms of change, cognitive neurosciences, ethics and professional guidelines, governing laws and rules pertinent to behavioral health practice, and professional communication and record keeping. These six areas of need are articulated in the context of a tripartite model of learning, as characterized by the acquisition of knowledge, attitudes, and skills. The promise of TMHTr for both mental health trainees and professionals as well as for faculty members, supervisors, and consultants is asserted as key in order to respond to expected increased demand-for example, as emanating from anticipated developments such as growth in world population and relational complexities, including intrapersonal and interpersonal ones as well as those associated with converging world diversities (e.g., races, ethnicities, nationalities, religions, political beliefs).