Description:
The rapid expansion of telehealth has created new opportunities for behavioral health clinicians to provide services across geographic boundaries, but it has also created increasingly complex legal and ethical challenges. When the clinician and client are in different jurisdictions (states or countries), many significant considerations must be addressed. These include issues such as legal jurisdiction, licensure requirements, compliance with state laws, insurance coverage, third-party reimbursement, and professional liability standards.
In this workshop, we will examine the legal and ethical standards governing cross-jurisdictional behavioral health practice, with particular attention to the interstate licensure compacts. Through practical examples and case scenarios, we will explore how current and developing state laws and licensing requirements can affect clinical practice and we will identify strategies for determining when and how services may legally and ethically be provided across state lines.
Objectives:
Participants will be able to:
- Identify jurisdictional and licensure requirements that apply when clinicians or clients are physically located in different states;
- Apply relevant legal and ethical standards when providing behavioral health services across state lines;
- Recognize legal, ethical, insurance, and reimbursement risks associated with cross-state clinical practice; and
- Develop strategies for evaluating and addressing cross-jurisdiction practice issues, including temporary client travel, clinician relocation, international telehealth, and interstate practice authorization.
About the Presenter:
Eric Ström JD, PhD, LMHC is an attorney and Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Seattle, Washington. As an attorney, Eric provides legal counsel, consultation, and guidance to mental health professionals. Eric’s clinical practice is focused on providing counseling services to combat veterans and those in other high-stress professions. Eric currently serves on the American Mental Health Counselors Association Ethics Committee, and is the ethics advisor for the Washington Mental Health Counselors Association. Eric has taught a range of courses in counseling and professional ethics at a variety of graduate and undergraduate programs.
Eric earned a PhD in Counseling at Oregon State University, graduated cum laude from Wayne State University School of Law in Detroit Michigan, earned a Master of Arts Degree in Counseling Psychology from the Northwest School of Professional Psychology at Argosy University Seattle, attended the Hague Academy of International Law in the Hague Netherlands, and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Linguistics from the University of Michigan.
Registration closes October 23rd, 2026 (space is limited)
This course is approved for 2 CE hours for LMHCs, LMFTs, LCSWs, and all associate-level licensees in Washington State
Washington Mental Health Association (WMHCA) has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 2079. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. WMHCA is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.
WMHCA Cancellation Policy
To receive a refund, less a $15 cancellation fee, cancellations must be made by contacting WMHCA at least 48 hours prior to workshop date. There will be no refunds within 48 hours of the workshop date. Please make sure you have the link 24 hours prior to the event starting.
