Digital Divide: Ethical Considerations & Challenges – Gen X Therapists & Teletherapy

Date course created: May 2025

When we think of applying ethical standards in practice, rarely do we consider the impact of generational perspective. The generation you are born into heavily influences your perspective on how people relate to each other, respect for hierarchies, how history informs your view of society, and your ability to adapt to and accept changes. Generally, the older we are, the less likely on average we are to easily adapt to and accept changes to processes, norms, technology, etc. Nostalgia is a powerful effect on the process of generational perspective and adaptation. We tend to see the way we are most familiar with as the “better way” vs. the new way of doing something. There is often pause, resistance, or even rejection of change depending on how impactful or drastic the change or effort it requires to adopt. Nowhere is this phenomenon more evident than in our debate over how much we should accept teletherapy as the norm, and how much we should allow it into the process of therapy overall.

Please join us to increase your knowledge and insight around practicing ethically as a Generation X therapist in the world of increasing telehealth service delivery. Clinical ethics expert Jodi Geis-Crowder, MS, LPC, who is also a Gen Xer and digital immigrant, brings 26 years of experience in the therapy room. She’ll draw on that experience and perspective to increase your knowledge on how Generation X providers are navigating various ethical and cultural challenges associated with in person versus telehealth mental healthcare. Both sides of the issues (and both schools of thought) will be presented in a lively and engaging manner as you gain insight into maintaining ethical standards and learn to artfully consider legal and regulatory requirements, cultural considerations, and the need to understand and keep pace with changing technology and consumer preferences.

• Assessing clients for suitability for in person or telehealth services.
• The need to engage in consistent training to remain competent with changing technology.
• Additional technology considerations such as social media, marketing your practice as a Gen Xer with social media/websites, managing email safely and maintaining a HIPAA compliant electronic health record.
• Define your own ethical decision-making model and identify three points that should be part of your model whether working in person or telehealth.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the importance of obtaining a clinical supervisor or consultant, IT expert, and social media expert if your business is using social media as a marketing tool.

**This is a 3-CE noninteractive, self-paced online video course delivered in home study format via an industry-standard online learning platform**

Agenda:

00:00 – 00:23: Introduction & Overview, Cultural Influences and Trends of Generation X
00:23 – 00:37: Importance of Reviewing Ethical Codes, Navigating Conflicts, The Role of Fidelity
00:37 – 01:03: Identifying Barriers for Gen X, Considerations & Perspectives in Telehealth
01:03 – 01:40: Assessing Client Risk for Telehealth, Clinical Appropriateness, Assessing Telehealth Readiness
01:40 – 02:12: Technology Mastery in Practice, Maintaining HIPAA Compliance, The Importance of Supervision
02:12 – 02:37: The Role of Legal and IT Consultants, Developing a Safety Action Plan, Recommended Resources

Objectives:

This training will provide participants clinical knowledge and tools to:

a). After completing this training, participants will be able to identify at least three aspects of the Gen X perspective on technology that may be a barrier to ethically embracing telehealth clinical service delivery.

b). After completing this training, participants will be able to identify at least three aspects of in person versus telehealth service delivery that must be considered by a Gen X or similarly oriented therapist in order to ethically deliver both types of service.

c). After completing this training, participants will be able to define at least three aspects of mandatory disclosure, specific to the differences in generational perspectives and the need to discuss those in the first client session.

d). After completing this training, participants will be able to identify at least two important strategies or approaches to provide ethical services via both in person and telehealth modalities across generations.

Target Audience:

Clinical Mental Health Professionals such as Counselors, Psychologists, Marriage and Family Therapists, and Licensed Clinical Social Workers.

Instructional Level: Intermediate

Instructor(s): Jodi Ann Geis-Crowder, MS, LPC, ACS

Material Author(s): Jodi Ann Geis-Crowder, MS, LPC, ACS  

Jodi Geis-Crowder is a dedicated professional with 27 years of experience in ensuring access to quality behavioral health care and substance use disorder services in rural areas of Northeast Colorado and Wyoming. She holds an Associate Degree in Education, a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Sciences, and a Master’s Degree in Counselor Education with an emphasis in Leadership from institutions in Wyoming. Jodi also holds professional counseling licenses in Colorado and Wyoming and is an Approved Clinical Supervisor through the Center for Credentialing and Education, recognized by the National Board of Certified Counselors. Jodi pioneered animal- assisted therapy and therapeutic horticulture programs at Centennial Mental Health Center and Peak Wellness Center, reflecting her commitment to culturally meaningful care in rural settings. She has held various leadership roles, including clinical supervisor and regional clinical director, and has expertise in Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), telehealth supervision, and telehealth service delivery. Jodi currently serves as a clinical supervisor and professional trainer for Volunteers of America Northern Rockies. Jodi also offers webinars, professional training consultation, and professional speaking through JGC Enterprises, LLC, focusing on Ethics, Solution Focused Brief Therapy, Clinical Supervision, Telehealth, Trauma Informed Care, and the Human/Animal Bond. Passionate about art, Jodi is a professional watercolor artist and photographer, selling her work in Wyoming boutiques as a member of the Sagebrush Artisans. “I am grateful and humbled by the opportunities I have to mentor and nurture professionals on their journey. I am passionate about behavioral health care and ensuring service delivery for some of the most vulnerable in our society. My goal is to focus on solutions, hope, gratitude, identifying and instilling resilience, and finding glimmers in daily lives to facilitate positive change, individually and organizationally.”

For additional information about this course, the instructors, or the material authors, please contact Content Assistance at content@onlinececredits.com.

Course Materials & Delivery Method:

• Course Materials – The course is composed of a recorded presentation and written materials (e.g. a slide deck and/or other worksheets, manuals, or handouts as provided by the instructor). The slide deck and any additional worksheets or handouts (as provided by the instructor) are made available inside the Lesson module after a course is purchased.
• Delivery Method – This course is a recorded asynchronous, self-paced webinar training, and there is no access time limit or due date to complete it once enrolled. The enrolled learner will stream the recorded presentation and view the materials from their internet connected device via an industry-standard online learning platform.

CE Approvals:

Online CE Credits has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 6795. Programs that do not quality for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Online CE Credits is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.

Mind Works Professional Education, Inc. DBA Online CE Credits, #1974, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: July 23, 2024 – July 23, 2025. Social workers completing this course receive 3 ethics continuing education credits.

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