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On-Demand

Psychological Tele-Assessment: Modern Practice and Increasing Access to Care

Melanie M. Wilcox, PhD, ABPP
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Information

Recorded

  • -

Description

This program is designed to introduce the ethical and competent use of psychological tele-assessment and its ability to increase access to comprehensive differential diagnosis. Recent research demonstrates that appropriate tele-assessment procedures are empirically equivalent to in-person assessment. Tele-assessment also allows for greater client access to psychological assessment, emphasizing the need for psychologists to be well-trained in tele-assessment. Given the importance of comprehensive differential diagnosis, especially for neurodevelopmental disorders, the importance of such access will bediscussed. Foundational knowledge about tele-assessment will be provided, and tele-assessment procedures that are empirically equivalent to traditional, in-person assessment will be introduced. Special considerations for the practice of teleassessment will be described, including unique ethical considerations. By the end of the program, attendees will understand how to evaluate assessment referral options as well as patient appropriateness for psychological assessment by telehealth.

Learning Objectives

Participants will be able to:

  • Discuss the necessary conditions required for effective tele-assessment and special considerations when conducting tele-assessment.

  • Demonstrate knowledge of the evidence base for tele-assessment.

  • Demonstrate ability to evaluate patient appropriateness for psychological tele-assessment and quality of tele-assessment referral options.

Educational Goal

The educational goal of this presentation is to increase participants’ understanding of integrating psychological tele-assessment into practice.

Target Audience

  • Addiction Professional
  • Counselor
  • Marriage & Family Therapist
  • Nurse
  • Physician
  • Psychologist
  • Social Worker

Presenters

Melanie M. Wilcox, PhD, ABPP
Melanie M. Wilcox, PhD, ABPP, is a licensed psychologist and board certified in counseling psychology. She is a psychologist in private practice as well as a full-time faculty member conducting research as well as teaching and supervising doctors and master's students. She has over ten years of experience in graduate education, training, and clinical supervision. She is currently Past-President of Division 17, the Society of Counseling Psychology, and is also a Chair of the APA Committee on Socioeconomic Status; a former Chair of the APA Board of Educational Affairs; and, an Associate Editor with the Journal of Counseling Psychology and Training and Education in Professional Psychology. Her research focuses on psychotherapy training and clinical supervision; culturally and structurally responsive psychotherapy; racial and socioeconomic inequity in higher education; and racial and social justice more broadly. She has authored or co-authored over 45 peer-reviewed articles, given over 200 presentations (including peer-reviewed and continuing education workshops), and has co-authored numerous APA policy statements and draft guidelines. Dr. Wilcox has been nationally recognized for her scholarship, leadership, teaching, and advocacy, earning multiple awards including recently the 2025 The Counseling Psychologist Outstanding Article award, the 2024 Karl F. Heiser APA Presidential Award for Advocacy, the 2024 Training and Education in Professional Psychology Outstanding Contribution Award, and 2022 Division 17 Fitz & Linn Kuder Early Career Award for Distinguished Scientific Contributions to Counseling Psychology. Clinically, she specializes in trauma and loss, culturally and structurally responsive approaches to psychotherapy and assessment, LGBTQ+-affirming care, and the assessment and treatment of addiction.

Financially Sponsored By

  • Aetna Better Health of Louisiana
  • Humana Healthy Horizons in Louisiana
  • Louisiana Healthcare Connections