  caregiver/guardian in the room?


• What is your decision-making model for determining if caregiver/ guardian or others should be in room for a telemental health session? • What are cultural implications that should be considered?


 C.1 Right to Privacy Play therapists should refer to the most up-to-date HIPAA regulations and/or the guidelines from their state licensing laws and/or legal and ethical code of their professional organization regarding client    play therapists also comply with all applicable regulations in the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and any other relevant regulations and professional guidelines.


• Although the laws pertaining to practicing telemental health may be temporarily suspended by mental health licensing boards, clinicians 


• Have you thoroughly researched the HIPAA compliance services available through your telemental health platform? Have you selected to use HIPAA compliant add-on services available throughout your platform?


• Have you informed your clients of potential breaches that may occur if you do not use HIPAA compliant software prior to their consent for services?


SECTION D: Professional Responsibility D.1 Knowledge of Standards Play therapists maintain current and accurate knowledge of state and/ or federal statutes, regulations, and ethics codes. Play therapists are responsible for reading and understanding these Play Therapy Best Practices.


• Have you reviewed your state laws? Profession’s ethical codes? APT’s Best Practices?


• Have you consulted directly with your licensing board, attorney, 


D.2 Professional Competencies: Boundaries of Competence Play therapists practice only within the scope of their competence. Competence is based on: training, supervised experience, professional credentials (state, national, and international), and professional experience. Play therapists commit to knowledge acquisition and/or skill development pertinent to working with a diverse client population.


• Are you practicing within your scope of competence? • Have you received the appropriate training, supervision, experience, 


• As a play therapist, have you committed to knowledge acquisition and/or skill development pertinent to working with a diverse client population via telemental health?


• As a play therapist, have you considered the cultural implications in providing services to the client? Client’s family?


26 | PLAYTHERAPY | September 2023 | www.a4pt.org


D.2 Professional Competencies: New Areas of Specialty Play therapists practice a new specialty after obtaining appropriate education, training, and supervised experience. Play therapists take steps to ensure the competence of their work while developing skills in the new specialty.


• Are you aware of the limitations of your theoretical orientation when implementing telemental health services?


• Are you aware of the cultural implications surrounding the client? Client’s parents/caregivers?


• Have you explained and discussed this change with your client’s parents/caregivers? Have you explained and discussed this change with your clients?


• Have you received competent and direct supervision concerning the delivery of telemental health services?


D.2 Professional Competencies: Monitor Effectiveness Play therapists monitor their effectiveness as professionals and pursue ongoing peer consultation, training, education, and/or supervision.


• How will you monitor the effectiveness of your telemental health services with your clients? Clients’ parents/caregivers? • What is your assessment plan?


D.2 Professional Competencies: Ethical Consultation Play therapists consult relevant codes of ethics, professional standards, state and/or federal laws, with knowledgeable professionals and/ or supervisors concerning questions regarding ethical obligations or professional practices.


  temporarily suspend requirements for the use of telemental health services, are you still continuing to abide by the ethical codes and laws that were promulgated?


D.2 Professional Competencies: Continuing Education/Training Play therapists acquire continuing education to maintain awareness of current research and best practice in play therapy, are open to incorporating new assessment and treatment procedures, and keep current with research regarding diverse and /or special populations with whom they work.


• There is little current research on the use of play therapy via telemental health services. How will you incorporate new assessment and treatment procedures in order to provide evidence- based services?


• If you are a play therapist providing telemental health to individuals who reside in a community outside of where you live and work, are you culturally competent in the nuances of your client's community?


SECTION F: Evaluation, Assessment, & Interpretation F.1 General Play therapists provide the client and legal guardian appropriate information about: the assessments including the rationale, steps, and methods for assessment; the person who will receive the assessment


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