Learning Objectives

• Describe the fundamentals of AI, its presence in everyday life, and its evolving role in healthcare.
• Identify AI-driven applications relevant to behavioral health and addiction treatment, such as chatbots, training simulations, and clinical decision support, and assess their benefits and limitations.
• Evaluate ethical considerations, risks (e.g., bias, misinformation), and best practices for the safe and responsible use of AI in behavioral health settings.

The post Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Behavioral Health & Addictions: Innovations, Risks, and Ethical Considerations appeared first on LearnTelehealth.

Overview: Digital apps are growing rapidly and gaining ground with FDA approval as digital therapeutics that can be prescribed to patients. But with thousands to choose from, how do we know which ones are worthwhile? And what do we know about AI’s potential to replace therapists? Presenter: ​​​​​​​Kari Stephens, PhD is Vice Chair of Research, Helen D. Cohen Endowed Professor, Director of Clinical Research Informatics and Professor in Family Medicine and Adjunct Professor in Biomedical Informatics and Medical Education at the UW School of Medicine

Biography: Dr. Kari Stephens is Vice Chair of Research, Helen D. Cohen Endowed Professor, Director of Clinical Research Informatics and Professor in Family Medicine and Adjunct Professor in Biomedical Informatics and Medical Education at the UW School of Medicine. Dr. Stephens conducts research focused on health equity, integrated behavioral health, chronic pain, posttraumatic stress disorder, anxiety, depression, substance use, cancer, long COVID, and informatics data sharing, particularly in primary care settings. Dr. Stephens is a practicing clinical psychologist, currently treats patients in a primary care integrated behavioral health setting and attends as a core panel member of the Psychiatric Addiction Case Conference.

Learning Objectives:

1) describe the landscape of behavioral health digital apps and

2) describe current and future directions for digital apps and AI in mental and behavioral health care

The post TeleBehavioral Health 2025: Digital Behavioral Health Therapeutics – Is There an App for That, and Can AI Be Your Next Therapist? appeared first on LearnTelehealth.

Overview: Ms. Kwong will provide an overview and update on post-public health emergency policy impacting the provision of and reimbursement for telebehavioral health services. Presenter: Mei Wa Kwong, JD, Executive Director for the Center for Connected Health Policy (CCHP) Biography: Mei Wa Kwong, JD has over two decades of experience in state and federal policy work. She is the Executive Director for the Center for Connected Health Policy (CCHP), the federally designated National Telehealth Policy Resource Center. She has written numerous policy briefs, crafted state legislation and led several coalition efforts on a variety of issues.  Ms. Kwong has published articles on telehealth policy, is recognized as an expert in her field and has been consulted by state and federal lawmakers on telehealth legislation and policy. Ms. Kwong is a graduate of the George Washington University Law School.

Learning Objectives: This talk will provide a current status of the telehealth policy landscape. Attendees will learn: 1. About the current status of temporary federal telehealth waivers 2. What significant telehealth policy changes may be seen in 2024 3. What telehealth policy issues state policymakers may focus on this year

The post TeleBehavioral Health 2025: Telehealth and TeleBehavioral/TeleMental Health Policy Update appeared first on LearnTelehealth.

Erika Shearer PhD, Patient Care Line Manager, Primary Care Mental Health Integration, Veteran’s Administration (VA) Portland Health Care System

Biography:
Dr. Shearer is a Patient Care Line Manager for the Primary Care Mental Health Integration service at the Veteran’s Administration Portland Health Care System. Her areas of expertise include using telehealth technologies to provide and increase access to mental health services, telesupervision, and integrated health care. She provides telehealth training and consultation throughout and outside of the VA Health Care System. Her academic interests include mindfulness and acceptance strategies in the treatment of psychological issues related to chronic medical conditions, pain, telesupervision, and all things related to telemental health.

Learning Objectives:

1. Describe adaptations needed to facilitate behavioral health groups via video-based modality.
2. Discuss privacy and confidentiality-related considerations for virtual groups.
3. Identify strategies to improve virtual group facilitation.

The post TeleBehavioral Health: Diving Deeper into Facilitating Virtual Groups appeared first on LearnTelehealth.