New adventures in independent practice: Leveraging technology to treat underserved, rural populations in skilled nursing facilities

Abstract

Telemental health treatment options appear to be vastly expanding as available technologies and consumer demand for interventions grow. While a variety of telemental health treatment models and approaches exist, independent telemental health practice is a viable option for practitioners who wish to build their current practices or establish a new client base. Given that telemental health treatment represents a unique mode of treatment with complex treatment and regulatory issues, telepractitioners are strongly encouraged to identify their training needs and develop telemental health practices that are compliant with ethical, legal, and regulatory requirements for both the populations they serve and the locations in which they are provided.