1. TMH Institute APA & ATA Guideline Summary
Marlene M. Maheu, Ph.D. & Massimo Agnoletti, Ph.D.
*CAUTION: This draft document has been designed for discussion & training purposes only. Omissions or mis-interpretations may have occurred.
Use at your own risk, proceed with caution and defer to your own clinical judgment. Verify original documents referenced & consult with your
attorney, state boards and other authorities before implementing any changes to your standard practices.
Copyright 2013 Marlene M. Maheu, Ph.D. & Massimo Agnoletti, Ph.D.
APA & ATA 2013 Guideline Similarities
 Both documents recommend:
o Adherence to local, state (licensing laws, interjurisdictional practice, mandatory reporting), federal
laws (e.g. HIPAA and HITECH), & ethical codes of profession
o Competency of practitioner (adequate professional and technical knowledge and skills, etc.)
o Competency of client/patient (e.g., appropriateness for telepractice services, technical
competencies, cooperation)
o Informed consent
o Careful and ongoing assessment
o Emergency planning
o Privacy, security and confidentiality and risk management
o Documentation
 Both also do not purport to establish binding legal standards and defer to clinical judgment in any specific
circumstance
APA & ATA 2013 Guideline Differences
APA ATA
For Psychologists For Providers
Global Perspective Specific Perspective
Scope: Email, telephone, social networking and video
teleconferencing (requires broad principles)
Scope: Real-time, videoconferencing via personal computers
and mobile devices allows for specificity (e.g., connectivity,
device security, camera angle, PIP)
Theoretically focused, describes ethical concepts more
than “how to”
Practical, clinical, administrative and technical “how to”
Focused largely on consumer-protection Focused on both consumer and professional-protection (e.g.,
availability of emergency contact info at each session,
working with uncooperative patients)
Makes strong statement regarding the need to not only
know, but keep updated with the evidence-based
literature
References a number of studies but does not explicitly direct
the provider to adhere to the evidence-base or keep updated
Specific Use of Psychological Test Instruments and
Other Assessment Procedures
Broader Use of Term Assessment
Language is Aspirational (e.g., “might,” “could,” etc.) Language is Mixed (e.g., “should,” “shall,” “may”)

2. TMH Institute APA & ATA Guideline Summary
Marlene M. Maheu, Ph.D. & Massimo Agnoletti, Ph.D.
*CAUTION: This draft document has been designed for discussion & training purposes only. Omissions or mis-interpretations may have occurred.
Use at your own risk, proceed with caution and defer to your own clinical judgment. Verify original documents referenced & consult with your
attorney, state boards and other authorities before implementing any changes to your standard practices.
Copyright 2013 Marlene M. Maheu, Ph.D. & Massimo Agnoletti, Ph.D.
TMH Institute Telepractice Checklist
TOPICS APA ATA You?
** Document considerations and choices regarding the use of telecommunications
technologies
v
** Document risks and benefits of telepsychology service (e.g., cost savings for client/patient,
travel, time off work, parking, baby sitting), improved access to care & specialty care (e.g.,
emergency or elderly, disabled, reduced stigma and embarrassment)
v
** In testing and assessment documentation, specify that a particular test or assessment
procedure has been administered via telepsychology, and describe any accommodations or
modifications that have been made.
v
** Document how secure the communicated information is with each technology used, and
any technology-related vulnerability to confidentiality and security by creating and storing
electronic client/patient data and information
v
Consider client/patient preferences regarding technology, treatment, arrangements
v
** Document emergency resources (e.g., telephone numbers, hospital admissions, local
clinical resources, local champion or proctor, friend/family member(s) v
** Provide and discuss clear emergency plan with written instructions (e.g., suicide,
homocide, abuse, other) v v
** Document plan for addressing emergencies and other relevant factors re: efficacy and
safety of treatment v v
Consider potential benefits: cost/time savings (e.g., saved baby-sitting fees, parking fees,
time away from work, travel costs) v v
Consider other “disadvantages” of using telepsychology v v
Adhere to current evidence base, outcomes research, best practices v v
Manage factors that can impact on the efficacy of intervention (e.g., “intrusions” caused by
people or events ) v v
Consider multicultural , diversity, socioeconomic & linguistic issues (e.g., is it advisable to
test language skills?) v v
Consider other individual characteristics (e.g. , medical status, psychiatric stability,
physical/cognitive disability, personal preferences) v v
Consider accessibility of technology & client’s/patient’s and practitioner’s technical
competence
v v
** Document verbal informed consent prior to treatment (risks/benefits of chosen technology;
limits to confidentiality; access, disclosure & storage of data; boundaries; procedures for
responding to e-communications)
v v
** Document the method & procedures for data & information storage, which info will be
stored, how info will be stored transmission, disposal of malware, cookies, etc. v v
Adhere to legal/regulatory mandates for all jurisdictions involved (clinician’s &
client’s/patient’s location at time of contact) v v
** Document and verify client/patient location v
** Documentation to include date, duration and type of service (med management, therapy,
assessment, etc.) v
** Document the treatment plan based upon an assessment of the patient’s needs. The plan
should meet the professional’s discipline standards and guidelines and include a description
of services to be provided and the goals for services.
v
** Document all communications with the patient (e.g., written, audiovisual, or verbal) v
** Starred topics suggest need for documentation.

3. TMH Institute APA & ATA Guideline Summary
Marlene M. Maheu, Ph.D. & Massimo Agnoletti, Ph.D.
*CAUTION: This draft document has been designed for discussion & training purposes only. Omissions or mis-interpretations may have occurred.
Use at your own risk, proceed with caution and defer to your own clinical judgment. Verify original documents referenced & consult with your
attorney, state boards and other authorities before implementing any changes to your standard practices.
Copyright 2013 Marlene M. Maheu, Ph.D. & Massimo Agnoletti, Ph.D.
References
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