The last few months have been beyond challenging for so many of us as psychologists. We have seen our practices rapidly shift to telehealth and the increased mental health toll of both the pandemic and racism on our patients. Many psychologists as small business owners have seen the financial impact of lost business and increased expenses convert their practice to telehealth and reopen with safety measures. Psychologists in academia and science have also seen the budget impact, and those in integrated care are seeing hospital systems facing huge budget shortfalls. We have also seen the devastating impact of racism on our country and minority health. This impact on both providers and patients has highlighted the health consequences of systemic racism and the need for change in our systems including psychology.
For state psychological associations, the impact has been significant. Many SPTAs had to cancel their conventions or move them to a virtual experience, thus impacting opportunities for their members to connect and network, as well as financial losses. SPTAs have been a strong source of information and guidance for members with needs such as telehealth training, peer support, insurance questions, and relaxing of regulations of practice across state lines. SPTAs may be facing threats to membership as psychologists face the economic impact of the pandemic.
Yet, SPTAs have risen to the occasion again and again in this time of crisis, showing true resiliency and value. I’d like to share just a few examples of state initiatives below. I am so impressed with the work SPTAs continue to do on behalf of psychology.
California worked with the other mental health associations in CA early on in the crisis, and secured a mandate from the Department of Managed Health Care to private insurance companies that they had to reimburse telehealth at the same level as in-person sessions.
Ohio held a series of townhalls such as “How to survive the Pandemic: OPA answers your questions about the rapidly changing landscape of insurance regulations, HIPAA, and telepsychology practice during the current crisis.”
Connecticut sent out several eblasts to members and non-member psychologists to inform them about their governor’s Executive Orders affecting psychologists (such as allowing psychologists licensed in another state to work in CT without obtaining a CT license for up to 60 days including telepsychology across state lines).
Massachusetts mobilized its Disaster Relief Network, which gathered disaster mental health resources/and information directed to psychologists and information about getting formally trained in disaster relief, prepared a free webinar for members on integrating disaster mental health techniques into treatment, and convened peer support groups for MA psychologists who seek some relief during these most stressful times.
Maryland developed webinars based on member feedback including providing telehealth to children and how best we can serve other health care professionals on the front line.
Michigan worked closely with their Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs to protect the licensure renewal status of masters-level licensees who were unable to sit for the EPPP because Pearson canceled the test due to COVID.
Missouri worked with Alan Nessman from APA Legal and Regulatory Affairs to put together a list of all telehealth rules and polices being used by the major insurance companies in Missouri.
Delaware worked with the Delaware Center for Health Innovation (DCHI) to provide up to date information for their members on accommodations for telehealth including information from our major insurers on billing, along with Medicaid in the state and each of those documents has specific guidance for psychologists, social workers and licensed counselors.
Washington D.C. held virtual support groups, geared towards parents, clergy, first responders, and other subgroups of the community.
In addition, many SPTAs have made strong social justice statements related to the murder of George Floyd, including the following states: California, D.C., Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. Div. 31 is working to post links to all the state statements on their website shortly. Our President Monica Kurylo noted, “On behalf of the Division 31 Executive Board, I want to emphasize our commitment in Division 31 to equity, diversity and inclusion in our work within Division 31 and in our SPTAs that we support. We want to hear what you and your SPTAs are thinking, feeling and doing in your stand with us against racism and discrimination and supporting listening to your members.”
SPTAs have also greatly benefitted from partnerships with APA. APA has provided outstanding resources in this time of change, including free telehealth webinars, a state by state guide on licensing and regulation changes, and information on how to talk to children about racism. I was honored to be part of one of APA’s Town Hall events focusing on state issues that included Stefanie Reeves, CAE FAESE, Arthur Evans, APA CEO, and Sandy Shullman, APA president. I heard renewed commitment to state associations, including implementing regular forums for APA and state leaders to connect, and ongoing support of administrative and legislative grants to small state associations.
Div. 31 continues to work hard at this time to bring attention to state association issues and provide guidance and resources to our members. For example, we have been part of series of meetings with APA on Practice Issues. Our Integrated Care Task Force continues to maintain its State Toolkit for Integrated Care and provided guidance on integrated care during COVID. Div. 31 is watching with concern as APA’s financial situation has resulted in staff reductions including in the State Advocacy Office. As you are aware, the APA convention has been moved to a virtual experience, and we are working on converting our convention programs to webinars to share with our members. Our listserv continues to be a place for rich discussion and sharing of resources. We have compiled a list of state responses to the racism pandemic and added our own statement of support.
Please continue to share your inspiring ideas for your work as psychologists and SPTAs during COVID-19 and the racism pandemic. We are truly stronger together.