Sheila Rauch, PhD: What Does PSYPACT Mean for Patients of Mental Telehealth?

PSYPACT is actually a legislative compact between states that allows psychologists to practice using their license in states that are part of the compact. I believe by the end of July there will be 22 states out of our 50 U.S. states who are part of the PSYPACT group. And what that means is instead of, oh, I’m licensed in Georgia, and I’m licensed in Michigan, so as a psychologist, those are the only two states that I can see patients in. And there are other laws that cover telehealth. So, basically right now I could see patients via telehealth in Georgia and in Michigan. Since I’m also part of PSYPACT and Georgia is part of PSYPACT, there are 22 additional states that I can see patients in via telehealth through that PSYPACT agreement. And it’s because licensure laws are state by state. And there are similar compacts for medical doctors and nurses and social workers that are underway, but since I’m a psychologist and our program’s core is the psychotherapy, that’s really what’s driving where we can do our two-week IOP model. It’s a compact for licensure so it’s really for providers to become part of it, but you can see if your state is in PSYPACT by if you google “PSYPACT”, they have a map and they have a website that will tell you all the states and the status of the legislation that’s rolling through for different states. Basically, that will just tell you if providers in your state are part of the compact. And then if they are, it depends on whether your provider has gone through the paperwork to have their license reviewed and updated to become part of the PSYPACT group. BrainLine is powered in part by Wounded Warrior Project to honor and empower post-9/11 injured service members, veterans, and their families.