While working with suicidal clients is not contraindicated for tele-health, it is commonly seen as being an exclusionary criteria when screening clients.  Because of this, research and guidance on how to manage suicide risk in tele-health is limited.  There are many reasons for the caution around working with suicidal clients through tele-health including liability concerns, less control, unfamiliarity with procedures, lack of knowledge, limited available training and support, technology issues, and more.  However, there are many situations when receiving tele-health services are the only option for some suicidal clients.  Whether it is due to geographical constraints, lack of transportation, or being ordered to stay home during a pandemic, these clients need services. And tele-health services can be effective for managing suicide risk when the client and clinician are prepared.  This course is focused on managing suicide risk in tele-health by being proactive before the crisis, knowing the action steps to take in the moment of crisis, and learning lessons after the crisis has resolved.  

Facilitator:  Kathryn Brewer, PhD, LPC, LCPC

Dr. Brewer is a licensed professional counselor in Missouri and a licensed clinical professional counselor in Kansas.  She has earned a PhD in psychology, a Master's degree in professional mental health counseling, and a Master's certificate in healthcare leadership and management. Dr. Brewer is also a national certified counselor, certified clinical trauma professional, licensure supervisor for professional counselors in Missouri, and a board approved clinical supervisor for professional counselors in Kansas. 

Learning Level: Basic to Intermediate

Target Audience: This course is designed for professional counselors, school counselors, social workers, marital and family therapists, psychologists, addiction counselors, case managers, nurses, and other health care professionals.

Continuing Education: To obtain the certificate of completion for the 3 hours associated with this course, the participant will need to complete the online course and earn a passing score of 75% on the post-test.

Each course offered designates the number of clock hours.  Be sure to check with your professional board as they will specify how many CE/CEU hours are equal to one clock hour (e.g., 1 CE = 50 minutes, 1 CE = 60 minutes). 

This course is approved by the Missouri State Committee for Social Workers for 3 hours of continuing education.

Institute for Psychological Advancement has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider™, ACEP No. 7124. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Institute for Psychological Advancement is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs. This course qualifies for 3 NBCC hours. 

The content of this course may meet requirements for continuing education for most national, state, and local licensing boards and professional organizations.  Many boards and professional organizations will accept continuing education that is relevant to each profession (i.e., for professional counselors content must be primarily related to counseling, for psychologists content must be mostly psychological, and so on) and/or that has been approved by another professional association in the human services field.  Be sure to print the event description and submit with your certificate of attendance to your professional board for consideration.  For rules governing continuing education and to confirm whether this course qualifies for continuing education, participants should contact their respective regulatory boards.  Participants may also contact IPA and we will do our best to answer your questions.

Suicide Prevention Training Requirement - "HB 1719 was passed during the 2018 legislative session and signed into law. The bill included language that amended section 337.718.1 RSMo requiring certain health care professionals to complete at least two hours of continuing education in suicide assessment, referral, treatment, and management training, as a condition of initial licensure and subsequent to the renewal of the license. The provision goes into effect August 28, 2018." Missouri Division of Professional Registration

This law applies to professional counselors, bachelor's and master's level social workers, marital and family therapists, psychologists, and other health care providers.  Contact your professional organization for details on your specific licensure. 

Licensed professional counselors are reminded that the effective date of this law means current LPCs must obtain the required two (2) hours of continuing education prior to the expiration date of the license June 30, 2019 and each biennial licensure cycle thereafter. The renewal application will include a question concerning compliance with this provision of the law and licensees must maintain documentation of proof of compliance.

Licensed marital and family therapists are reminded that the effective date of this law means current MFTs must obtain the required two (2) hours of continuing education prior to the expiration date of the license February 20, 2020 and each biennial licensure cycle thereafter. The renewal application will include a question concerning compliance with this provision of the law and licensees must maintain documentation of proof of compliance.

Starting September 30, 2018, the State Committee for Social Workers will require evidence of this training to be included with the initial application for licensure and, beginning with the 2019 renewal period, necessary for license renewal.

Psychologists are required to submit evidence of this training for initial licensure in Missouri; it does not apply to renewal licensure.

Registration:  Registration for online courses is available on our website.  For manual registration or payment by check, please contact IPA.