OLERE - Oklahoma Legal and Ethical Responsibilities Telehealth and Technology Questions and Answers

Question 1

An LPC in Oklahoma is establishing a telemental health practice.
According to the Oklahoma Administrative Code (OAC), which of the following must be specifically addressed in the informed consent process, in addition to the standard elements required for in-person therapy?

Accepted Answer

Protocols for technology failure and an emergency response plan appropriate to the client's physical location.

Answer

A list of the counselor's approved supervisors and their contact information.

Answer

A detailed biography of the counselor's educational and professional background.

Answer

The brand and model of the computer and webcam the counselor will be using for sessions.

Question 2

An Oklahoma LPC is providing telemental health services to a client. To comply with state regulations and HIPAA, which of the following technology platforms is most appropriate for conducting sessions?

Accepted Answer

A video conferencing service that is encrypted and for which the LPC has a signed Business Associate Agreement (BAA).

Answer

A popular social media application's video chat feature.

Answer

A personal, end-to-end encrypted messaging app on a mobile phone.

Answer

Any platform the client prefers and is most comfortable using, regardless of its security features.

Question 3

A licensed LPC in Oklahoma has a client who is temporarily relocating to New Mexico for four months for a work assignment and wishes to continue weekly therapy via video conference. What is the LPC's primary legal and ethical obligation in this situation?

Accepted Answer

Verify and comply with New Mexico's laws and licensure requirements regarding the provision of telehealth services into that state.

Answer

Continue therapy as usual since the therapeutic relationship was established in Oklahoma.

Answer

Inform the Oklahoma Board of Behavioral Health of the client's temporary relocation.

Answer

Have the client sign a waiver acknowledging they are receiving services from an out-of-state provider.

Question 4

When initiating technology-assisted counseling with a new client, which of the following steps is required by Oklahoma regulations to ensure client safety and proper identification?

Accepted Answer

Making reasonable efforts to verify the identity of the client.

Answer

Asking the client to email a recent utility bill to prove their address.

Answer

Requiring the client to answer a series of personal security questions at the start of each session.

Answer

Obtaining the client's social media profiles to cross-reference their identity.

Question 5

Which of the following scenarios best demonstrates an LPC's adherence to the principle of technological competence in a telemental health practice?

Accepted Answer

Prior to using a new scheduling and billing platform, the LPC researches its security features, ensures it is HIPAA compliant, and learns how to operate it effectively.

Answer

Using the newest, most popular video conferencing software available on the market.

Answer

Only offering telemental health services to clients who are young and technologically proficient.

Answer

Assuming that if a technology platform is widely used, it must be secure and appropriate for clinical use.

Question 6

An LPC is conducting a video therapy session with a client who suddenly becomes distressed and reports acute suicidal ideation. According to Oklahoma's requirements for telemental health, the LPC's ability to respond effectively in this crisis depends most critically on having done what during the intake process?

Accepted Answer

Established the client's physical location and identified local emergency resources in the client's area.

Answer

Obtained the client's permission to record all sessions for safety review.

Answer

Ensured the client has the newest version of the video conferencing software installed.

Answer

Conducted a thorough assessment of the client's family history of mental illness.