March 20, 2020
No new informed consent is necessary simply because an LPC begins to deliver services via telehealth. The client's original informed consent covers both telehealth services and face-to-face sessions.
Informed consent is required to provide telehealth services to new clients. For new clients who do not have access to a computer and cannot physically come into the office due to the COVID-19 outbreak, the LPC can discuss the required informed consent components over the phone with the client who can then text or email consent from their phone. The LPC can print out the text or email and include it in the clients record with a brief statement that informed consent components were discussed on the phone and the assent relates to the required informed consent. Then sign and date the document.