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Andrew Kushnick, MFT was recently certified by the Telebehavioral Health Institute (“TBHI”) as a Certified Telebehavioral Health Practitioner.
The TBHI certificate program covers clinical, legal and ethical issues that arise when mental health practitioners utilize telehealth or online therapy. Trainees are instructed in strategies, models, and evidence-based fundamentals related to telebehavioral health, which includes psychotherapy.
“Given the current COVID-19 epidemic, and the ‘shelter in place’ order currently in effect in the San Francisco Bay Area, I found it necessary to move my practice to online therapy. But until recently, not everyone had been used to meeting with their therapist by video. I wanted to ensure that I could offer the highest level of service to my clients. That’s when I discovered TBHI. It’s been exciting to witness therapy clients achieve such positive results over a different medium,” Andrew explained.
According to its website, TBHI is approved by each of the prominent mental health professional associations for continuing education or continuing medical education, including the AMA, AOA, APA, NBCC, ASWB and NAADAC. TBHI is also regarded internationally as the leading private training organization and consulting organization within the telebehavioral health industry.
As a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in downtown San Francisco, Andrew offers evidence-based models of therapy, such as EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) to heal trauma. Regarding EMDR, Andrew noted, “Although in-person therapy is generally preferable, it’s a tough time for so many people. It’s so important that we’re all taken care of, that we all feel connected right now, and that we focus on healing. Thankfully, most of what works in the therapy room also works over video. Including EMDR.”
Through the TBHI course, Andrew took note of efficacy studies for online therapy, including Acierno et al. (2014); Wagner, Horn, and Maercker (2013); Chakrabarti (2015), showing that mental health services online yielded results roughly comparable to in-person therapy. “Although none of us would have wished for this recent change to online therapy, it’s wonderful to see that mental health practitioners can still help those who are struggling right now.”
Andrew Kushnick is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with offices in downtown San Francisco. As a former practicing attorney, Andrew’s approach is practical and concrete, using science-based and evidence-based methods. Video appointments are available during afternoons and evenings.
Release ID: 88952105