277 - Looking Back & Stepping Forward: Innovative Engagement in the Tele-Behavioral-Health Era

Session Description: While the pandemic may ebb and flow, we know that world of tele-behavioral-health (TBH) services are here to stay. On one hand, it is a world where clients have access to high quality care at the tips of their fingers, and clinicians can reach deep in to the rural parts of our communities providing care where no care has been before. On the other hand, is a whole new slew of challenges related to client engagement, transitions through the continuum of tele-care, and the development of tele-wise clinicians. How does a director manage the myriad of program development, quality maintenance, and evaluation? How does an administrator monitor business operations, employee retention/engagement/development, or imagine the environment of care? Moreover, how do we provide creative services to the dually-diagnosed client and keep them engaged for an appropriate length of stay in the virtual space? This presenter trio includes a therapist and program director, an administrator, and an executive that ran treatment programs before, during, and after the first two years of the pandemic. A look back at necessary adaptations and lessons learned through this era provides deep insight for the next steps forward to maintaining long-lasting, successful treatment programs. Attendees will walk away from this presentation having gained tangible skills and knowledge related to executive functions of maintaining a successful treatment program, administrative leadership necessities, and provisions for direct care, treatment, and services. Topics covered will include revenue restructuring, systemic reorganization, culture transformation, clinical supervision and staff engagement, the work-from-home/in-home-treatment paradigm shift, telehealth and licensing regulation complications, ensuring client confidentiality and safety, and client engagement and retention.