Tele-Mental Health Risk Assessment
Presented by: Kelly Coker, PhD, Karen Roller, PhD, and Florence Saint-Jean, PhD
1.5 Hours / 1.5 CEs
On Demand | Self-Paced Professional Training
This on-demand professional training program on Tele Mental Health Risk Assessment is presented by Kelly Coker, Ph.D., Karen Roller, Ph.D., and Florence Saint-Jean, Ph.D., in partnership with the Center for m²Health at Palo Alto University.
This program provides an overview of how to assess the potential risk of suicide in tele-mental health counseling. Risk assessment at a distance, actions to take following a risk assessment, and legal and licensure implications are explored.
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this training, participants will be able to:
- 1 Identify initial steps to mitigate risk in tele-mental health including intake, initial assessment, and informed consent
- 2 Describe the legal and licensure considerations for suicide risk assessment for tele-mental health
- 3 Describe how to respond to suicide risk concerns as they arise in tele-mental health, including determining the level of risk, frameworks for risk assessment, and possible action steps
- 4 Demonstrate an integrated understanding of the suicide risk assessment process which incorporates the use of professional consultation
Training Instructors:
Kelly Coker, PhD
Dr. Kelly Coker, Ph.D., is an associate professor in the Counseling Department at Palo Alto University and is a licensed professional counselor (#4490) in North Carolina. Kelly has conducted research and published findings in refereed journals related to substance abuse prevention and intervention, clinical training and supervision, the use of play in counseling and supervision, and the importance of program evaluation and assessment in counseling. She has also served on the editorial board of the Journal of Counseling and Development (JCD), the flagship journal for the American Counseling Association. Kelly has also co-edited a book on using family systems approach in applying the DSM-5 to assessment, diagnosis, and treatment planning, and has presented at numerous regional and national conferences.
Karen Roller, PhD
Karen Roller is an associate professor of counseling at Palo Alto University, and clinical coordinator of Family Connections, a parent-involvement preschool serving low-resource migrant families in the San Francisco Bay Area. Her doctorate is in Clinical Psychology with a specialization in Somatic Psychology, which introduced her to about 40 somatic modalities for trauma resolution, including Somatic Experiencing. As a clinical traumatologist and compassion fatigue therapist, she is focused on training the next generation of mental health professionals to embody reliable clinical efficacy of trauma-informed care for the underserved, who often rely on the free services of student trainees to resolve egregious complex traumas, while also preserving the wellness of the practitioner.
Florence Saint-Jean, PhD
Florence a.k.a Dr. Flo founded Global Trauma Research because she trusts that anyone can get through a traumatic event with the right support. She believes her purpose is to be used by God and through leadership, help people attain their goals by means of prayer, education, counseling, and support. Florence obtained a post-doctorate certificate at Harvard Medical School in Global Mental Health: Trauma & Recovery. Florence also earned a Doctor of Philosophy in Executive Counselor Education and Supervision from Duquesne University; Master of Sciences degree in Mental Health Counseling; and Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and English from the City University of New York, College of Staten Island. Florence is a National Certified Counselor and Approved Clinical Supervisor.
Training Outline
Key topics covered in this training include:
-
Introduction to Tele-mental health
- Legal considerations
- State and Local Procedures -
Intake process and determining level of risk
- Risk assessment as part of the intake process
- Determining appropriateness for telemental-health
- Suicidal Ideation, Plan, Intent, and Behavior -
Frameworks for assessing risk
- SADPERSONS
- C-SSRS
- Psych-ache -
Addressing Risk Concerns
- Telemental-Health Challenges
- Safety Planning
- Contacting Emergency Services -
Demonstration Role Play
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.
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.
American Psychological Association (APA): Approved sponsor of continuing education for psychologists.
Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB): Approved continuing education provider (ACE program, Provider #1480), 11/22/2023–11/22/2026.
Canadian Psychological Association (CPA): Approved to sponsor continuing education for psychologists.
National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC): Approved Continuing Education Provider (ACEP No. 7190).
Sponsorship Approval Statements
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.