Continuing Education
Continuing education courses for mental health professionals and students
Continuing Education
Continuing education courses for mental health professionals and students
Statement from the VPA Board of Directors
Black Lives Matter
The Vermont Psychological Association strongly condemns the recent murders, violence, and overtly racist acts against our nation's Black community. VPA supports the Black Lives Matter movement, which brings attention to the particular violence that our Black community faces.
We join in the collective mourning and outrage that has resulted from the recent murders and brutality against the Black community nationwide, and we acknowledge that these acts are just further incidents among countless acts of violence and oppression against people of color in Vermont and the United States. This violence is the result of structural racism and implicit bias which pervade our justice systems and life in America as a whole. The harm that is continuously caused to our communities of people of color is a threat to their basic human rights and dignity.
As human beings and Americans, we must all come together as one, speak out and condemn racism, injustice, and oppression of all kinds, and above all else, listen with empathy to the voices of those who are most marginalized and harmed by these acts of violence. Vermont is not innocent of racism, injustice, and oppression, a fact demonstrated so publicly by the defacing of a Black Lives Matter mural on State Street in Montpelier.
As psychologists and mental health care providers, we will do more to educate ourselves and others about how people of color experience trauma through systemic violence both directly and vicariously. We acknowledge the fact that minority stress takes a profound toll on the mental and physical health of communities of color and we will take an active role in helping to alleviate resulting suffering. We will also strive to actively examine how our own internal biases and cultural lenses create blind spots in our work.
VPA urges individuals—of any race—who are suffering distress or experiencing trauma related to these events to reach out to the mental health care community for professional help.
Photograph by Sarah Wills
On This Page
Connect with Others
Together Tuesdays
Even mental health workers need support psychologically, emotionally, and socially. Dr. Rick Barnett, clinical psychologist and VPA Board Member, will host mental health clinicians of all types for a free weekly online "Together Tuesdays: Collegial Consultation for Clinicians," 12-1 p.m.
Clinicians can have a conversation and share ideas about what it's like to run their businesses, do their work for agencies, help patients/clients, and help each other.
If you would like to join the conversation, you can click here to go to the Zoom meeting and use the password “802.”
Can't make Tuesdays? Join VPA for its member group on alternate Fridays!
COVID-19
We wanted to let you know that the Vermont Psychological Association is closely monitoring the COVID-19 situation in Vermont, and we are making appropriate changes to our normal business practices.
Medicare Allowing Telephone Therapy
CMS is now approving audio-only telephone therapy retroactively to March 1, 2020. You can read CMS' announcement on the rule change here (search for "audio" in the body of the text).
The list of List of included CPT codes can be found here.
Thanks to the APA staff and VPA members who wrote in to their representatives to advocate for the changes.
Please note that we have no guidance on coding of POS or modifier codes for audio-only at this time.
New CARES Act Provisions
Economic help is available if you suffering economic injuries from the COVID-19 disaster. You can look at the COVID-19 specific assistance here.
The CARES Act includes some provisions of interest to Vermont psychologists. Updated billing information can be found on the APA's website--they have an excellent summary. APA has also prepared an excellent summary of the legislation that you can download below. We wanted to highlight the following provisions for you:
Extends Medicare telehealth coverage during the COVID-19 emergency period to include services provided to new patients, not just existing patients.
Limits the liability of health-care professionals for volunteer services provided during the COVID-19 emergency period.
Defers all federal student loan payments, including interest, for at least six months. The suspended payments would still count for borrowers on track for loan forgiveness under federal programs such as the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program.
Aligns rules governing the confidentiality of substance use disorder treatment patient records with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act.
Permits the use and disclosure of substance use disorder treatment records upon a patient’s written consent for the purpose of treatment, payment and health-care operations.
For more information, read the APA report (download below) or contact your local attorney.
Teletherapy
Education
APA has a landing page with all of their resources for dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic.
APA's Telepsychology Best Practice Series 101 (a series of 2-hour courses) is available for a limited time for free and on demand. We've heard good things about it.
Many of you are scrambling to start a teletherapy practice at this time. We've included DVHA's summary of telehealth requirements (download the document below). The American Psychological Association also has free teletherapy resources for clinicians in light of this pandemic. You can avoid the pitfalls of teletherapy and you can download a sample informed teletherapy consent and office technology checklist for teletherapy (download below). You can also access their free resources about this pandemic and about teletherapy online. There's a particularly helpful article on choosing a telehealth platform.
Other Jurisdictions
For those of you needing to do teletherapy with out-of-state clients, the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards has compiled a list of jurisdictions who have responded to their question about temporary interjurisdictional practice. They are updating this list frequently, and you can find it here.
Reimbursement
You can download the BCBSVT payment policies for telehealth below.
The VPA Insurance Committee Chair, Dr. Milt Marasch, has created a summary chart of billing guidance for various insurers in Vermont. VPA Members can download it on our Members Only page.
Cigna has released some interim guidance on its reimbursement for telehealth sessions. If you have Cigna-covered clients, you can download that guidance below.
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Vermont has issued a temporary policy allowing for telephone therapy, although there are requirements and restrictions attached.
DMH has issued a memo explaining temporary billing codes & changes to Medicaid and BCBSVT--it's a great summary of the recent developments. You can download it below.
BCBSVT has issued a 60-day temporary policy allowing reimbursement for telephone (audio-only) therapy. There are some conditions and restrictions to consider. You can get a copy of the policy at the Provider Resource Portal at www.bcbsvt.com/provider.
If you have questions about billing Medicare during this time, here's a helpful chart.
Protecting Your Patients & Practice
The Vermont Office of Professional Regulation has provided some guidance on providing clinical supervision during the current restrictions and health guidelines. You can download that below.
The APA has prepared some excellent materials for handling this pandemic, including a fact sheet on How to Protect Your Patients and Your Practice.
The Trust Risk Management has also developed guidance for clinicians to handle their practice during this pandemic.
The Small Business Administration has set up a low-interest loan Disaster Assistance program. Vermont is now one of the areas designated to be eligible for these loans. You can see which other areas have been designated eligible here.
What We Do
Continuing Education
Continuing Education
Continuing Education
VPA delivers remarkable continuing education courses for psychologists and mental health professionals, presented by national and regional experts.
Membership
Continuing Education
Continuing Education
VPA members connect with colleagues and peers--psychologists, social workers, mental health counselors, faculty and students--and enjoy other valuable benefits. Find out why you should join VPA here.
Advocacy
Continuing Education
Advocacy
VPA advocates for legislation that promotes psychology and improved mental health care in both the Vermont legislature and in the federal House and Senate.
Resources
News & Information
News & Information
News & Information
Find the latest psychology and mental health research, advancements, and news here.
VPA Members Only
News & Information
News & Information
VPA members can access information, resources, discounts, and other member benefits on our Members page.
Find a Therapist
News & Information
Find a Therapist
Need a therapist? VPA can help you find the perfect fit.
Who We Are
Member Testimonials
Find a Therapist
VPA members comprise clinicians, faculty and professors, researchers, students, health care administrators, and other mental health professionals. Meet our board of directors and staff.
Member Testimonials
Member Testimonials
Member Testimonials
Read some of the reasons our members love being part of VPA.
Advertise with VPA
Member Testimonials
Member Testimonials
From classifieds to full-color print ads, you can advertise your business, goods, or services with VPA.