NPI is developing resources for our members in response to the Supreme Court decision overturning Roe V Wade.  Both clients and practitioners are dealing with strong emotional reactions (on both sides of the issue) and confusion over the state of the law in Tennessee.  As psychotherapists, our intention is to hold space for people in a way that is trauma-informed, reduces stigma, supports non-judgmental decision-making, and provides accurate information.  We also need to be aware of any potential impact on our practice.

Here are a few websites that can help you with accurate information.

• Current information about the state of the law in TN:  https://wpln.org/post/explainer-how-the-dobbs-decision-affects-tennesseans-reproductive-options/?mc_cid=77404968f5&mc_eid=fe4e970693
• The facts about abortion and mental health:  https://www.apa.org/monitor/2022/09/news-facts-abortion-mental-health
• Facts about abortion safety and the spread of misinformation:  https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25091391/

• New billing disclosure requirements take effect in 2022 – Link to timelines and templates:
  https://www.apaservices.org/practice/legal/managed/billing-disclosure-requirements?_ga=2.59623083.72268334.1639244942-2123816710.1622929053
• The No Surprises Act : What MFTs Need to Know: 
  https://www.camft.org/Resources/Legal-Articles/Chronological-Article-List/the-no-surprises-act-what-mfts-need-to-know
  

• The Nuts and Bolts of Reopening your Practice after COVID-19:  A CHECKLIST
  In accordance with the government’s plan to re-open America, the APA created a checklist to provide mental health facilities and behavioral health office practices with information and strategies to consider while implementing a plan to gradually re-open an office. Psychiatrists, psychologists, and mental health practitioners should remember that guidance from public health and government authorities is likely to change as the COVID-19 pandemic evolves. Therefore, all practitioners should continue to follow the most current information on maintaining workplace safety.  Please CLICK HERE to download the checklist containing important resources and links.
• COVID-19: When is it OK to resume in-person services?  https://www.apaservices.org/practice/news/in-person-services-covid-19
• APA’s practice resource – a sample informed consent for in-person services during COVID.  It can be modified for your practice and to use your letterhead.  This consent form is a companion document to the guidance released last week about in-person psychological services.  Full article is HERE.
• This is an example of a Risk Management insurance statement.  Check with your insurance carrier for specific information relative to your policy:  https://parma.trustinsurance.com/Portals/0/adam/Content/l40qC76ml0uml3JTNP69FQ/Link/7.pdf
• “Risk Calculator” for those considering re-opening or expanding:https://www.centerforhealthsecurity.org/our-work/publications/operational-toolkit-for-businesses-considering-reopening-or-expanding-operations-in-covid-19

• Coping With Uncertainty Support Group:  I’m offering a free (or small donation) support group through the Zoom app to anyone who needs a safe space to talk about all the uncertainty in our world and how to cope with it.  The group will meet virtually every Wednesday from noon-1:30pm. Space is limited.  To sign up, email Hannah hannah@authenticity.studio 
• Thoughts on Self-Care:  As part of NPI’s strength had always been our multidisciplinary membership and our openness to more than one path being valid, we wanted to highlight supporting various practice approaches to this pandemic and note that this variety provides a more robust network for clients to have choice and support during this time.  Thus, we share some of our members’ thoughts.  Sincerely, Cynthia P. Lucas, Ph.D.
  Self-Care Opinion Piece
• Thoughts on HSP Self-Care During Coronavirus Stress by Laura Kreiselmaier
  (HSP stands for Highly Sensitive Person and is about 15-20% of the population)
• Five Mindfulness Lessons I Learned While Traveling During a Pandemic by Nicole Bayes-Flemin
• Yale Well-Being Online Course
  https://news.yale.edu/2020/03/25/housebound-world-finds-solace-yales-science-well-being-course 
• Coronavirus and Mental Health:  Taking Care of Ourselves During Infectious Disease Outbreaks
• https://www.psychiatry.org/news-room/apa-blogs/apa-blog/2020/02/coronavirus-and-mental-health-taking-care-of-ourselves-during-infectious-disease-outbreaks
• Psychological Effects Quarantine During Coronavirus Outbreak on Providers
  https://www.cstsonline.org/assets/media/documents/CSTS_FS_Psychological_Effects_Quarantine_During_Coronavirus_Outbreak_Providers.pdf

• Alternate Letter to Clients (April 6) COVID-sample client letter2
• Generic Consent Generic Telehealth Form
• Tele-Psychology Tele-Psychology Informed Consent
• Payment Template  Automatic Payment Form
• Professional Will/Contingency Professional Will

• New COVID Resource (Added January 2021):   OCR Reimposing HIPAA Rules 
• Telehealth: When Your Patient Is Located Out of State
• The New Theatrics of Remote Therapy: How does treatment change when your patients are on a screen?  https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2020/06/01/the-new-theatrics-of-remote-therapy 
• Insurance Alert: Coronavirus (COVID-19) and Telehealth (April 6)
  As healthcare providers continue to move toward providing telehealth services to their patients and clients during the COVID-19 crisis, federal, state and local governments continue to provide State of Emergency protocols and waivers.  Please make sure to check and read all updates from your liability insurance company.
• Further expansion of Telehealth coverage for Medicare recipients (March 31) DETAILS on Billing update here
• HIPAA policy amendment from HHS:
  https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/special-topics/emergency-preparedness/notification-enforcement-discretion-telehealth/index.html
• APA has recently shared a comparison of telehealth platforms.  If you would like recommendations for HIPAA-conforming telehealth platforms, please review APA’s free online article, “Comparing the Latest Telehealth Solutions.”

Marriage during the time of pandemic
https://medium.com/@cynthiaezellblair/the-pandemic-marriage-700b67a11fb0

Psychologists rush to help health-care professionals:
https://www.apa.org/topics/covid-19/health-care-professionals 

Thoughts-on-Gender-and-Covid19 by Kelly McDaniel

Coping Strategies in Uncertain Times

SAMPLE letter to patients:
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/therapy-matters/202003/how-therapists-can-take-covid-19-seriously?amp

Taking Care of Patients During Coronavirus Outbreak A Guide for Psychiatrists
https://www.cstsonline.org/assets/media/documents/CSTS_FS_Taking_Care_of_Patients_During_Coronavirus_Outbreak_A_Guide_for_Psychiatrists_03_03_2020.pdf

Recovery
Self-Management And Recovery Training (SMART) is a global community of mutual-support groups. At meetings, participants help one another resolve problems with any addiction (to drugs or alcohol or to activities such as gambling or over-eating). Participants find and develop the power within themselves to change and lead fulfilling and balanced lives guided by our science-based and sensible 4-Point Program^®. There is no charge to participate.  https://www.smartrecovery.org/

In The Rooms is a free online recovery tool that offers 130 weekly online meetings for those recovering from addiction and related issues. We embrace multiple pathways to recovery, including all 12 Step, Non-12 Step, Wellness and Mental Health modalities.  https://www.intherooms.com/home/

Many of you are familiar with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and have likely been using ACT principles to address the emotional response to the COVID-19 outbreak. Russ Harris, ACT practitioner and author of The Happiness Trap, has developed a free eBook on using ACT to approach the COVID-19 outbreak using the acronym FACE COVID. You can find it on his website, or by clicking this link:  https://drive.google.com/file/d/117HY4z4mY5izJpR44ejuZ8rhTyoWEGEG/view

Helping Children and Families Cope with the COVID-19 Pandemic, a resilience-enhancing activity book that helps children and families cope with the psychological effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The material is highly interactive and designed for adults to work on together with children.  To download a free copy, please go to https://people.miami.edu/profile/alagreca@miami.edu 

Supporting Our Kids Through the COVID-19 Crisis
https://childmind.org/article/talking-to-kids-about-the-coronavirus/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_content=READ%20MORE&utm_campaign=Weekly-03-16-20

https://childmind.org/article/supporting-kids-during-the-covid-19-crisis/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_content=%20Parents%20Guide%20to%20Problem%20Behavior&utm_campaign=Weekly-03-16-20

https://childmind.org/article/how-to-avoid-passing-anxiety-on-to-your-kids/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_content=%20Parents%20Guide%20to%20Problem%20Behavior&utm_campaign=Weekly-03-16-20

Exploring the New Coronavirus for kids
https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2020/02/28/809580453/just-for-kids-a-comic-exploring-the-new-coronavirus 

Wellness Webinars hosted by APA (no APA membership required) beginning April 6th
APA will begin hosting a series of Wellness Webinars. As we all know, these are challenging times and self-care is more important than ever. Please sign-up for the virtual wellness classes starting on April 6 and stay tuned for additional classes in the future (Yoga, Pilates, Metabolic Endurance, etc.).

APA Wellness Webinars: http://pages.apa.org/wellness-webinars/

• Meditation Part 1 – Listening from the Heart & Finding Your Way Home
• Being the Creative in Professional Practice, Part 1
• Meditation Part 2 – A Self-Care Affirmation to Live By: “I am Mind & Soul Medicine”
• Being the Creative in Professional Practice, Part 2
• Meditation Part 3 – Relational Mindfulness

The videos will be recorded and saved on the wellness APA page, if you are unable to attend at the scheduled time.

COVID-19 Stimulus Package – Advocating for Psychologists, Students and the Public (April 1)
Advocating for Psychologists 4-1-20

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is the leading national public health agency in the United States and provides information and updates on COVID-19 as it becomes available.

The CDC coronavirus webpage provides guidance on preparation and action steps for various settings:

• Schools
• Health Care Professionals
• Employers
• Childcare Providers and Programs
• Keeping the Workplace Safe
•  A Framework for Mitigation
• Resources for Faith-based organizations

Individuals may also consult other reliable sources for current information and setting-specific guidance, including:

• World Health Organization (WHO)
• National Institutes of Health
• Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services