Welcome solo and group practice owners! We are Liath Dalton and Evan Dumas, your co-hosts of Group Practice Tech.

In our latest episode, we chat with therapist Emily Decker about how to make group practice more accessible, both for clients and staff.

We discuss:

• The number of mental health clinicians who are disabled
• Navigating identity as a disabled person and as a helping professional, especially where those identities intersect
• Practice culture and neurodivergence
• Ways to create a disability affirming culture within group practice (for clients and staff)
• Unpacking what professionalism means
• What accessibility means
• What disability means
• Internalized ableism
• Unpacking what’s actually needed for therapy and what isn’t
• Universal Design, and how to apply it for therapy practices
• Our upcoming CE training with Emily on this topic

Listen here: https://personcenteredtech.com/group/podcast/

For more, visit our website.

• 2 legal-ethical CE credit hour training (live and recorded), presented by Emily Decker, MS, LPC, NCC, Can You Hear Me? The Legal and Ethical Role of Accessibility in Anti-Oppressive and Neurodivergent-Affirming Teletherapy
  • This training aims to create familiarity and comfort for therapists providing teletherapy and combat stigma and inaccessibility in teletherapy. The conversation is situated within an anti-oppressive and neurodivergent-affirming framework, connecting concepts of accessibility and disability justice with mental health care, and provides an overview of legal and ethical issues pertaining to accessibility within teletherapy, including identifying and dispelling common myths about accessibility and disability, and identifying specific, concrete resources for therapists to use to enhance the accessibility of their services.

• Book: Demystifying Disability: What to Know, What to Say, and How to Be an Ally by Emily Ladau
• DARN Disability 2023 conference recordings (free! and geared towards educators and supervisors)
• Web Accessibility and the ADA
• Textbook: Disability-Affirmative Therapy by Rhoda Olkin
• This author also has a webinar on this topic: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vEJ46Rfz2kc
• Textbook: Disability As Diversity by Erin E. Andrews
• Book: Disability Visibiltiy by Alice Wong (also has a great website and podcast by the same name)

Welcome solo and group practice owners! We are Liath Dalton and Evan Dumas, your co-hosts of Group Practice Tech.

In our latest episode, we discuss what to consider when designating your security officer in a mental health group practice.

We discuss:

• What a security officer is
• The difference between a security officer and a privacy officer and what each is responsible for
• Who can be a security officer, and whether the role can be outsourced
• The qualities to look for when appointing a security officer or deputy security officer
• The time commitment required to be a security officer
• How PCT’s resources can help your practice’s security officer

Listen here: https://personcenteredtech.com/group/podcast/

PCT Resources:

• PCT's Security Officer Endorsement Training Program (10 legal-ethical CE credit hours)
• Group Practice Care Premium
• weekly (live & recorded) direct support & consultation with the PCT team + Eric Ström, JD PhD LMHC (monthly) Group Practice Office Hours
• Device Security: assignable staff HIPAA Security Awareness: Bring Your Own Device training + access to Device Security Center with step-by-step device-specific tutorials & registration forms for securing and documenting all personally owned & practice-provided devices (for *all* team members at no per-person cost)
• Remote Workspace Security: assignable staff HIPAA Security Awareness: Remote Workspaces training for all team members + access to Remote Workspace Center with step-by-step tutorials & registration forms for securing and documenting Remote Workspaces (for *all* team members at no per-person cost) + more
• HIPAA Risk Analysis & Risk Mitigation Planning service for mental health group practices -- care for your practice using our supportive, shame-free risk analysis and mitigation planning service. You’ll have your Risk Analysis done within 2 hours, performed by a PCT consultant, using a tool built specifically for mental health group practice, and a mitigation checklist to help you reduce your risks and implement required safeguards.
• HIPAA compliance, risk management, and practice optimization resources and support from PCT for mental health group practices

Welcome solo and group practice owners! We are Liath Dalton and Evan Dumas, your co-hosts of Group Practice Tech.

In our latest episode, we’re chatting again with Gabrielle Juliano-Villani, this time about what to consider when accepting Medicaid as a group practice. 

We discuss:

• The main differences between Medicare and Medicaid 
• What makes a practice a good fit as a Medicaid provider
• Reimbursement rates and to find what they are in your state
• Things to keep in mind when considering accepting Medicaid
• Being prepared for an audit 
• The process to become a Medicaid provider 
• Credentialing timeframes 
• What the application looks like 
• Provider restrictions under Medicaid 
• HIPAA responsibilities for providers who accept Medicaid 
• Our upcoming panel discussion on the intersection of Medicare, Medicaid, and HIPAA

Listen here: https://personcenteredtech.com/group/podcast/

For more, visit our website.

Resources:

• Connect with Gabrielle for resources, consulting and support around Medicaid [and Medicare] at Medicare Consulting for Therapists

PCT Resources:

• HIPAA, Medicaid, and Medicare Intersections: Free Info and Q&A Session with Gabrielle and Liath (live session on 10/11/24)
• On-demand trainings (not designated as CE) presented by Gabrielle: Introduction To Medicare And Medicare Credentialing and Medicare Billing
• Group Practice Care Premium for weekly (live & recorded) direct support & consultation, Group Practice Office Hours, with the PCT team + Eric Ström, JD PhD LMHC (monthly)
• HIPAA compliance, risk management, and practice optimization resources and support from PCT for mental health group practices

Welcome solo and group practice owners! We are Liath Dalton and Evan Dumas, your co-hosts of Group Practice Tech.

In our latest episode, we chat with Gabrielle Juliano-Villani, LCSW of Medicare Consulting for Therapists about what to consider if you’re thinking of selling your group therapy practice. 

We discuss Gabrielle’s personal experience selling her practice; how the market for selling a practice has changed since 2021; what types of practices are getting a lot of interest currently; who is buying group practices right now; what the process of selling looks like and where to start; valuing your group practice; working with a broker and an attorney; staying on during the transition; costs to keep in mind when selling; and questions to ask yourself if you’re considering selling your practice.

Listen here: https://personcenteredtech.com/group/podcast/

For more, visit our website.

Resources:

• Connect with Gabrielle Juliano-Villani for consulting and support around scaling & selling a group practice

PCT Resources:

• On-demand trainings (not designated as CE) presented by Gabrielle: Introduction To Medicare And Medicare Credentialing and Medicare Billing
• Group Practice Care Premium for weekly (live & recorded) direct support & consultation, Group Practice Office Hours, with the PCT team + Eric Ström, JD PhD LMHC (monthly)
• HIPAA compliance, risk management, and practice optimization resources and support from PCT for mental health group practices

Welcome solo and group practice owners! We are Liath Dalton and Evan Dumas, your co-hosts of Group Practice Tech.

In our latest episode, we’re discussing the scope of responsibility and liability for device security in group practice.

We cover what handling PHI means; device security measures for devices that touch PHI; a multi-prong approach to device security; Safe Harbor requirements; the benefits of having Safe Harbor in place; Safe Harbor and state data breach laws; the cost of implementing Safe Harbor on all devices.

Listen here: https://personcenteredtech.com/group/podcast/

For more, visit our website.

PCT Resources

• PCT article: Easy Steps to Ensure Safe Harbor: Implementing Technical Security Measures
• PCT podcast episode: Episode 332: To BYOD or Not to BYOD
• Group Practice Care Premium
  • weekly (live & recorded) direct support & consultation service, Group Practice Office Hours
  • Device Security:  assignable staff HIPAA Security Awareness: Bring Your Own Device training + access to Device Security Center with step-by-step device-specific tutorials & registration forms for securing and documenting all personally owned & practice-provided devices (for *all* team members at no per-person cost)
  • Remote Workspace Security: assignable staff HIPAA Security Awareness: Remote Workspaces training for all team members + access to Remote Workspace Center with step-by-step tutorials & registration forms for securing and documenting Remote Workspaces (for *all* team members at no per-person cost) + more
• HIPAA Risk Analysis & Risk Mitigation Planning service for mental health group practices -- care for your practice using our supportive, shame-free risk analysis and mitigation planning service. You’ll have your Risk Analysis done within 2 hours, performed by a PCT consultant, using a tool built specifically for mental health group practice, and a mitigation checklist to help you reduce your risks and implement required safeguards.

Welcome solo and group practice owners! We are Liath Dalton and Evan Dumas, your co-hosts of Group Practice Tech.

In our latest episode, we explain what goes into HIPAA security reminders, which are required under the HIPAA Security Rule.

We discuss our favorite resources for security reminders; our PCT security reminder memes for group or solo practice; documenting security reminders; why security reminders are more useful than annual training; and using current events to inform your security reminders.

Listen here: https://personcenteredtech.com/group/podcast/

For more, visit our website.

Resources:

• Sign up for the OCR's listserv here
• Sign up for HealthIT Security's newsletter as well, which you can do here (the signup is in a box on the righthand of the screen)
• Sign up for Bruce Schneier of Schneier on Security's newsletter here

PCT Resources:

• PCT's free digital Security Reminder Posters
• Sign up for PCT's free Security Reminder Memes
• Assignable staff training: HIPAA Security Awareness Grab Bag
  • A collection of three short courses helping you maintain your security awareness through better handling of PHI in public, avoiding inappropriate disclosures, and preventing phishing and social engineering attacks.
• PCT podcast episode: Episode 412: Staff HIPAA Training in Year 2, and Beyond
• Group Practice Care Premium
  • weekly (live & recorded) direct support & consultation service, Group Practice Office Hours
  • + assignable staff HIPAA Security Awareness: Bring Your Own Device training + access to Device Security Center with step-by-step device-specific tutorials & registration forms for securing and documenting all personally owned & practice-provided devices (for *all* team members at no per-person cost)
  • + assignable staff HIPAA Security Awareness: Remote Workspaces training for all team members + access to Remote Workspace Center with step-by-step tutorials & registration forms for securing and documenting Remote Workspaces (for *all* team members at no per-person cost) + more
• HIPAA Risk Analysis & Risk Mitigation Planning service for mental health group practices -- care for your practice using our supportive, shame-free risk analysis and mitigation planning service. You’ll have your Risk Analysis done within 2 hours, performed by a PCT consultant, using a tool built specifically for mental health group practice, and a mitigation checklist to help you reduce your risks.

Welcome solo and group practice owners! We are Liath Dalton and Evan Dumas, your co-hosts of Group Practice Tech.

In our latest episode, we’re covering the recent CrowdStrike update that impacted over 8.5 million Windows computers and what group practice owners can learn from this experience.

We discuss what happened with CrowdStrike; being proactive instead of reactive in regard to technology failures; critical operations; managing critical data backups; creating contingency plans for operational continuity; and the importance of practicing your contingency plans.

Listen here: https://personcenteredtech.com/group/podcast/

For more, visit our website. 

Resources

• Healthcare Leaders article: Healthcare Takes a Breath After Crowdstrike Scare

PCT Resources

• Group Practice Care Premium
  • weekly (live & recorded) direct support & consultation service, Group Practice Office Hours
  • + assignable staff HIPAA Security Awareness: Bring Your Own Device training + access to Device Security Center with step-by-step device-specific tutorials & registration forms for securing and documenting all personally owned & practice-provided devices (for *all* team members at no per-person cost)
  • + assignable staff HIPAA Security Awareness: Remote Workspaces training for all team members + access to Remote Workspace Center with step-by-step tutorials & registration forms for securing and documenting Remote Workspaces (for *all* team members at no per-person cost)
  • + more
• HIPAA Risk Analysis & Risk Mitigation Planning service for mental health group practices -- care for your practice using our supportive, shame-free risk analysis and mitigation planning service. You’ll have your Risk Analysis done within 2 hours, performed by a PCT consultant, using a tool built specifically for mental health group practice, and a mitigation checklist to help you reduce your risks.
• PCT's free Group Practice Service Selection Workbook & Worksheets Step 1 of the PCT Way -- support for selecting HIPAA-secure, effective, and economical services to meet your practice's functionality and operational needs

Welcome solo and group practice owners! We are Liath Dalton and Evan Dumas, your co-hosts of Group Practice Tech.

In our latest episode, we’re chatting with Melissa Wesner about how to build community as a group practice.

We discuss Melissa’s clinician community membership in Baltimore; a different approach to networking; dealing with isolation and burnout as clinicians; community and wellness needs; how to replicate this community group for clinicians in your area; self care as a business strategy; balancing life and business success; taking self-care off the back burner; and how to take action when you’re feeling burned out.

Listen here: https://personcenteredtech.com/group/podcast/

For more, visit our website.

Melissa Wesner is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, Brainspotting Consultant, and Founder of LifeSpring Counseling Services, a group counseling practice in Maryland. She's also the host of the Dreaming and Doing podcast, a podcast for big dreamers and action takers.

• @lifespring_md (IG LifeSpring page)
• @melissa_wesner_ (Dreaming and Doing podcast IG page)
• @lifespringcounselingservices (FB page)
• lifespringcounseling.net
• dreaminganddoing.net
• Greater Baltimore area Clinician Community Membership (in-person) -- If people sign up by 9/15/24 using the code EARLYBIRD, their first month in the membership will be free. 

• Group Practice Care Premium
  • weekly (live & recorded) direct support & consultation service, Group Practice Office Hours
  • + assignable staff HIPAA Security Awareness: Bring Your Own Device training + access to Device Security Center with step-by-step device-specific tutorials & registration forms for securing and documenting all personally owned & practice-provided devices (for *all* team members at no per-person cost)
  • + assignable staff HIPAA Security Awareness: Remote Workspaces training for all team members + access to Remote Workspace Center with step-by-step tutorials & registration forms for securing and documenting Remote Workspaces (for *all* team members at no per-person cost) + more
• HIPAA Risk Analysis & Risk Mitigation Planning service for mental health group practices -- care for your practice using our supportive, shame-free risk analysis and mitigation planning service. You’ll have your Risk Analysis done within 2 hours, performed by a PCT consultant, using a tool built specifically for mental health group practice, and a mitigation checklist to help you reduce your risks.

Welcome solo and group practice owners! We are Liath Dalton and Evan Dumas, your co-hosts of Group Practice Tech.

In our latest episode, we’re talking about VPNs, or Virtual Private Networks.

We discuss when to use a VPN in a group practice context; how VPNs work; the VPN that we recommend, and why it’s our go-to; and which plan we recommend for group practice (and when you need a higher level of functionality).

Listen here: https://personcenteredtech.com/group/podcast/

For more, visit our website.

• NordVPN
• NordLayer
• NordLayer VS NordVPN: how are they different
• Tom's Guide: the best VPN of 2024

• Group Practice Care Premium
  • weekly (live & recorded) direct support & consultation service, Group Practice Office Hours
  • + assignable staff HIPAA Security Awareness: Bring Your Own Device training + access to Device Security Center with step-by-step device-specific tutorials & registration forms for securing and documenting all personally owned & practice-provided devices (for *all* team members at no per-person cost)
  • + assignable staff HIPAA Security Awareness: Remote Workspaces training for all team members + access to Remote Workspace Center with step-by-step tutorials & registration forms for securing and documenting Remote Workspaces (for *all* team members at no per-person cost) + more
• HIPAA Risk Analysis & Risk Mitigation Planning service for mental health group practices -- care for your practice using our supportive, shame-free risk analysis and mitigation planning service. You’ll have your Risk Analysis done within 2 hours, performed by a PCT consultant, using a tool built specifically for mental health group practice, and a mitigation checklist to help you reduce your risks.
• PCT's free Group Practice Service Selection Workbook & Worksheets Step 1 of the PCT Way  -- support for selecting HIPAA-secure, effective, and economical services to meet your practice's functionality and operational needs

Welcome solo and group practice owners! We are Liath Dalton and Evan Dumas, your co-hosts of Group Practice Tech.

In our latest episode, we have updates to share about licensure compacts!

We discuss the Counseling Compact and the Social Work Licensure Compact; timelines to be aware of; the benefits of Compacts for group practice; which Compact will open up next; PSYPACT; options for LMFTs; and advocating to make your voice heard.

Listen here: https://personcenteredtech.com/group/podcast/

For more, visit our website.