The Traveling Therapist Podcast

139. Cross-Border Therapy: The Top Legal and Privacy Tips Every Traveling Therapist Needs to Know!

Kym Tolson Season 1 Episode 139

In this episode, we’re tackling the biggest questions about teletherapy across borders—this is also a sneak peek into the Portable Practice Method that’s coming soon, this is a condensed version of the module, “Work From Anywhere Legally”. Hop on the waitlist here.
 
When practicing in different states or countries, protecting client confidentiality and staying compliant with privacy regulations like HIPAA in the U.S. or GDPR in the EU are top priorities. Choosing an EHR that supports compliance, even when you’re abroad, is essential. Platforms like SimplePractice, Sessions Health, and Owl Practice offer time zone toggling features, which makes scheduling easier across locations and helps you stay on track no matter where you’re practicing.

Navigating licensure requirements across regions is crucial. For example, if you’re licensed in one state but want to work with clients in another, you’ll need to confirm that your license covers the client’s location and meets that state’s regulations. This is even more complex internationally; offering services to clients in Europe, for example, requires compliance with GDPR, which may involve revising paperwork to meet those standards. Each session involves a quick checklist—confirming your license validity, tech compliance, and privacy protection—to keep your practice safe, legal, and smoothly adaptable as a Traveling Therapist.

 

Key Points

 

  • Ensure client confidentiality and legal compliance by using HIPAA- or GDPR-compliant platforms, especially when practicing across borders.
  • Use EHR tools with time zone flexibility (like SimplePractice, OWL, or Sessions Health) to simplify scheduling across different locations.
  • Confirm licensure validity in each client's location, and stay informed on both domestic and international privacy regulations for a compliant practice.

 

Portable Practice Method Waitlist -  https://www.subscribepage.com/portablepracticemethodwaitlist


 

Sponsored by Berries: 

Say goodbye to the burden of mental health notes with automated note and treatment plan creation! www.berries.icu/therapists

 

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Are you ready to take the plunge and become a Traveling Therapist? Whether you want to be a full-time digital nomad or just want the flexibility to bring your practice with you while you travel a couple of times a year, the Portable Practice Method will give you the framework to be protected! Get on the waitlist now: https://kymtolson.kartra.com/page/PP-Waitlist

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Sponsored by Berries: Say goodbye to the burden of mental health notes with automated note and treatment plan creation! www.berries.icu/therapists

Sponsored by Alma: Alma is on a mission to simplify access to mental health care by focusing first and foremost on supporting clinicians. https://helloalma.com/kym