4 Easy Ways Therapists Can Prevent Common Security Breaches and Avoid HIPAA Investigations

Clinicians know that Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) is complicated and has many moving parts. Perhaps the most intimidating part is the Security Rule, which covers the technical aspects of protecting individuals in therapy and their personal information. Even therapists who are not very tech savvy can develop an understanding of the Security Rule in order to protect the confidentiality of individuals in therapy and stay congruent with HIPAA guidelines.

Many mental health professionals may not know that smartphones and computers are already set up to employ strong encryption that has the potential to alleviate the need to report breaches under HIPAA’s breach notification rule. Knowing that there are software programs available that make it easier to have secure and unique passwords for every website can ease some insecurities related to the confidentiality of protected health information.

In this 90-minute continuing education web conference, HIPAA expert Roy Huggins, LPC NCC will provide an introduction for mental health professionals in clinical practice to simple ways to “pick the low-hanging fruit” of securing their confidential information. Although it can take a great deal of work to avoid the most common kinds of security breaches, he will share valuable first steps toward compliance with HIPAA and provide direction on how to learn more. Roy will also explore four simple, achievable ways for attendees to set up their technology to achieve stronger security against common breaches.

This introductory instructional level web conference is designed to help clinicians:

1. Describe the channels by which a HIPAA-covered entity may come under investigation by the Office of Civil Rights.
2. Explain how computers and smartphones can be set up to qualify for the safe harbor in HIPAA’s Breach Notification Final Rule.
3. Utilize available cloud services that offer two-factor authentication.
4. Create and use passwords that meet HIPAA standards.
5. Demonstrate the ability to install and support the work of antimalware/antivirus software to prevent the most common kinds of related security breaches on tech devices.

If you have any questions or concerns about this web conference, or would like more information, please contact us here.

Event Reviews from Members

The presentation was excellent and engaging. - Alba Reynoso

A great overall lesson on this subject. - Andrea Shaw, PhD, MFT

This was a very good, informative and practical presentation! - Diann Byrd Inge, MA, MS, LPC

Continuing Education (CE) Information

1.5 CE contact hours will be provided by GoodTherapy.org for attending this web conference in its entirety. 

GoodTherapy.org is an Approved Education Provider by NAADAC, The Association for Addiction Professionals (provider #135463). Of the eight counselor skill groups ascribed to by NAADAC, this course is classified within legal, ethical, and professional development. 

GoodTherapy.org is an NBCC-Approved Continuing Education Provider (ACEPTM) and may offer NBCC-approved clock hours for events that meet NBCC requirements.

GoodTherapy.org is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. GoodTherapy.org maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

GoodTherapy.org, SW CPE is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #0395.

GoodTherapy.org, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed marriage and family therapists #MFT-0022 and for licensed mental health counselors #MHC-0031.

To receive CE credit hours for an archived event, you will need to complete a survey as well as a 12 or 15-question exam, verifying that you listened to or watched the event in its entirety. Archived CE events generally are considered "homestudy" by licensing boards.

Registration Information

Premium and Pro Membership with GoodTherapy includes access to this web conference at no additional cost, as well as other member benefits such as a profile listing in GoodTherapy's Therapist Directory. Not yet a member? Sign up for a Premium or Pro Membership, here.

Just want CE credits? Sign up for a monthly or annual CE Subscription with GoodTherapy to get unlimited access to our CE Program, including this event, other live CE web conferences, and hundreds of hours of homestudy courses.

Mental health professionals who are not members can access the homestudy recording for $15.50. Sign up here to purchase this CE course and earn a CE certificate.

If the event is canceled by GoodTherapy, registrants who purchased the event will be notified and the charge for the event will be refunded

If you have any questions or would like information regarding disability accommodations, please contact us.

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