Providing technology-assisted distance professional services
Effective Jun 22, 2019Alaska Register 230(Eff. 6/22/2019, Register 230)
(a) The provision of any service as the practice of marital and family therapy defined under AS 08.63.900 to a client physically present in this state through digital, telephonic, electronic, or other means, regardless of the location of the provider of the service, constitutes the practice of marital and family therapy in this state and requires licensure of the service provider under AS 08.63 and this chapter.
(b) The provision of any service defined under AS 08.63.900 as the practice of marital and family therapy by a provider of the service in this state through digital, telephonic, electronic, or other means, regardless of the location of the client receiving the service constitutes the practice of marital and family therapy in this state and requires licensure of the provider under AS 08.63 and this chapter.
(c) When providing technology-assisted distance professional services, a licensee shall determine that the client is intellectually, emotionally, and physically capable of using the application and that the application is appropriate for the needs of the client.
(d) When technology-assisted distance professional services are determined inappropriate by the licensee or client, the licensees may consider referral to a clinician local to the client for in-person services. If the client refuses the referral, the licensee shall document the rationale for continuing to provide distance professional services.
(e) Each time a technology-assisted distance professional services session takes place, the licensee shall verify the client's identity and shall note the client's identity in the progress note.
(f) Regarding the delivery of distance professional services, a licensee shall follow the Association of Marital and Family Therapy Regulatory Boards (AMFTRB) Teletherapy Guidelines, dated September 2016, and adopted by reference.
(g) At the onset of services, licensees shall develop a safety plan identifying local resources in the community of the distance client should emergency care be required. The safety plan must include contact telephone numbers for local resources. Local resources may include family members, law enforcement, health aides, religious leaders, or tribal leaders trusted by the client to be available during distance professional services.