Dr. Maheu Speaks to a SOLD OUT Georgia Psychological Association Meeting

Online, April 10, 2012 (Newswire.com) - Young Harris, Georgia - Dr. Marlene Maheu, Executive Director of the TeleMental Health Institute, Inc., strongly encourages licensed mental health professionals to obtain adequate training before providing treatment by telephone, text-messaging, or on the Internet.

Dr. Maheu has pioneered telehealth research and development since 1994. She has dedicated much of her career developing educational and training materials to assist health professionals gain the competency to treat clients through various forms of technology.

Dr. Maheu is honored to present the keynote address to the Georgia Psychological Association (GPA) on April 21, 2012. Following suit of prominent professional organizations such as the American Psychological Association (APA) and the American Counseling Association (ACA), the GPA has recognized the importance of providing mental health professionals with the opportunity to learn about the pertinent legal and ethical issues associated with treating clients on-line. Maheu stated, "Many of the newer research articles examining telehealth, online therapy or online counseling are showing that professionals are making needless and possibly harmful mistakes because online practitioners haven't been trained properly to work online. Many have not been trained at all."

In addition to her keynote address at the GPA, Dr. Maheu will present two professional training workshops to assist mental health providers enhance their knowledge and skills for providing services to consumers via the Internet and other technologies. On Friday, April 20, 2012, Dr. Maheu will deliver a workshop entitled, Creating E-books, Podcasts, Apps and Other Program: Educating the Public on the Internet. This 3-hour, continuing education (CE) workshop is geared toward mental health specialists who are interested in developing psychology-based products and services for the Internet to benefit consumers.

While the Internet is full of self-help materials, Dr. Maheu notes that few are developed by mental health porofessionals of any kind. "If anyone understand the science of what works and what doesn't work with people in distress, we do. We need to get involved in shaping technology. They need us, and so do the billions of worldwide consumers online who are buying products and services that someone dreamed up in their garage to only make a profit."

Dr. Maheu's second workshop, Legal and Ethical Approaches to 21st Century Practice: Telepsychology Skills and Equipment, is scheduled for April 21, 2012 and will offer 3 continuing education units (CEs) to mental health professionals who are interested in learning how to deliver innovative mental health services using technology.

Dr. Maheu will present on the most relevant telemental health issues, such as Skype, videoconferencing, practicing over state lines, informed consent, and HIPAA. She will also share case examples of HIPAA-compliant, easy-to-use technologies for serving individuals who would otherwise go untreated. For details about the Georgia Psychological Association's Annual Meeting, see: http://gapsychology.org/displaycommon.cfm?an=1&subarticlenbr=420

The TeleMental Health Institute, Inc. is the leading online telemental health training institute, devoted exclusively to addressing the emerging opportunities and challenges of telepsychiatry, telepsychology, online counseling, online therapy and coaching. Contact: Marlene M. Maheu, Ph.D., Executive Director, TeleMental Health Institute, Inc., http://support.telehealth.org/open.php