15 Hours / 15 CEs

On Demand | Self-Paced Professional Training

This on-demand professional training program on Foundations in Digital Therapy is presented by C. Barr Taylor, MD, and faculty at Palo Alto University. This badge-earning program can be shared digitally on platforms like LinkedIn or your resume and counts towards a certificate. Enroll in this program to earn credit towards Foundations of Digital Mental Health Certificate and share your new digital credentials with prospective employers and colleagues.

Technology has become an inherent part of modern psychological treatments. This program provides an overview of the use of digital tools and technology in therapy, including a discussion of the evidence base for integrated (“blended”) face-to-face and technology-facilitated therapy, a review of different types of tools available for clinicians, and a discussion of ethical and other concerns about providing and using digital therapies. The program also includes information on the relevance of social media to clinical practice and empirically-supported strategies that can help engage clients in the use of digital therapy tools. Clinicians also learn to identify the best tools for their particular clinical needs and introduce strategies for addressing client disengagement or non-adherence. Finally, the program includes discussions of relevant ethical and legal concerns. This program aims to prepare clinicians to integrate digital tools in their clinical practice successfully and, if desired, seek additional, more specialized training in the use of digital tools.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this training, participants will be able to:

  • 1 Describe 3 benefits and barriers of using technology in clinical care
  • 2 Describe potential challenges and risks of using technology
  • 3 Describe strategies for assessing clients’ digital use and preparing them to use a digital tool
  • 4 Describe the basic principles of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
  • 5 Describe strategies for choosing the right app or Internet intervention
  • 6 Describe at least 3 mental health apps and Internet intervention programs
  • 7 Describe why using evidence-based programs is important
  • 8 Describe examples of clinical strategies therapists use to engage clients in blended therapy
  • 9 Identify strategies for addressing non-engagement with digital tools
  • 10 Describe key ethical and legal issues in digital therapy

  • Intended Audience

    This training is intended for mental health and allied professionals who are interested in integrating technology into clinical care and using digital tools to enhance treatment outcomes. It is designed for individuals specializing in psychology, counseling, social work, and related fields.

    Examples of Relevant Professionals:

    • Mental Health Professionals
    • Psychologists
    • Counselors
    • Social Workers
    • Allied Mental Health Professionals

  • Experience Level

    This training is appropriate for licensed and pre-licensed mental health professionals at various stages of experience with digital tools in clinical practice.


    • Beginner: Participants new to digital therapy who are seeking foundational knowledge about integrating technology into clinical care, including basic ethical, legal, and practical considerations.

    • Intermediate: Participants with some experience using digital tools in therapy who wish to deepen their understanding of evidence-based practices, client engagement strategies, and the selection of appropriate digital interventions.

    • Advanced: Participants with substantial experience in digital therapy who are interested in refining their skills, addressing complex ethical and legal issues, and exploring advanced strategies for integrating technology into diverse clinical settings.

  • Practice Setting

    Clinicians practice in technology-enabled clinical environments that deliver therapy and assessment across in-person, telehealth, and blended care models using secure EHRs, client portals, apps, and digital measurement tools. They work within ethically and legally compliant settings that support evidence-based practice, interdisciplinary collaboration, and proactive strategies to enhance client engagement and adherence with digital interventions.

    Examples of Practice Settings:

    • Private outpatient practices
    • Community mental health clinics
    • Hospital or health system behavioral health departments
    • Integrated primary care/behavioral health settings
    • University or college counseling centers
    • School-based mental health programs
    • Telehealth-only or virtual clinics
    • Nonprofit and public sector agencies

Training Outline

Key topics covered in this training include:

  • An introduction to digital therapy and strategies for digital tool introduction

  • A review of CBT

  • Using email and texting

  • Apps and internet interventions

  • Review of research on digital tools

  • Self-Monitoring Apps

  • Clinical strategies for best practice

  • Ethical and Legal issues

  • Tips for tele-mental health counseling

  • Social media and future use

Earning a Certificate

This is a badge-earning program, which means it will help you earn a certificate that can be showcased on digital platforms like LinkedIn.
View Certificates

CE Sponsorship Information

Palo Alto University, Continuing & Professional Studies (CONCEPT) is approved by, recognized by, or maintains sponsorship provider status with the following boards and agencies. We maintain responsibility for all content in our CE/CPD programs. For more information, visit here. 

  1. American Psychological Association (APA): Approved sponsor of continuing education for psychologists.

  2. Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB): Approved continuing education provider (ACE program, Provider #1480), 11/22/2023–11/22/2026.

  3. Canadian Psychological Association (CPA): Approved to sponsor continuing education for psychologists.

  4. National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC): Approved Continuing Education Provider (ACEP No. 7190).


Sponsorship Provier Statement

Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT), is approved by the Canadian Psychological Association to offer continuing education for psychologists. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7190. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Palo Alto University, #1480, is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved as ACE providers. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. Palo Alto University maintains responsibility for this course. ACE provider approval period 11/22/23-11/22/26. Social workers completing this course receive (clinical or social work ethics) continuing education credits. Continuing and Professional Studies, Palo Alto University, is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed psychologists #PSY-0103. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs. Palo Alto University, Continuing & Professional Studies (CONCEPT), is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #SW-0356. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies, is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors. #MHC-0073.