Telehealth Access and Equity: Laws and Ethics for Psychologists

As psychologists, we know telehealth isn’t equally accessible to everyone. Research highlights ongoing disparities — from limited broadband in rural areas to language barriers, disability accommodations, and socioeconomic gaps. Addressing telehealth access and equity is not only a matter of good care, but also an ethical responsibility. With support from APA Approved Sponsor CE courses, we can strengthen our ability to practice equitably and lawfully across diverse populations.

Laws Governing Telepsychology and Access

The laws governing telepsychology emphasize that psychologists must provide the same standard of care online as in person. This includes compliance with HIPAA, ADA, and state/federal telehealth laws. Ensuring accessible care also means following equity-focused requirements:

• Providing reasonable accommodations (captioning, screen-reader compatibility, accessible documents).

• Using platforms that meet web accessibility guidelines.

• Understanding state laws on telehealth delivery across different populations.

By pairing APA ethics CE requirements with legal knowledge, psychologists can avoid compliance pitfalls while improving client access. 

Take this APA Approved Sponsor | CE Course: Telehealth - Efficacy, Laws & Ethics

Addressing Barriers and Ethical Issues in Telehealth Practice

Studies (White-Williams et al., 2023; Abuyadek et al., 2024; Nwokedi et al., 2025) show lower rates of telehealth use among certain racial and ethnic groups. Common barriers include:

• Limited English proficiency

• Lack of reliable internet or devices

• Distrust of technology or providers

• Lower digital literacy

Ethically, psychologists must consider these barriers when offering telehealth. Completing APA approved continuing education ethics helps us proactively adapt care, clarify risks, and design services that honor equity.

Privacy Concerns and Informed Consent in Diverse Populations

When access is uneven, privacy concerns in online therapy can compound inequities. For example, clients in multigenerational homes may not have confidential space for therapy. Ethical practice means discussing privacy openly and adapting consent forms to address real-world challenges.

Telehealth informed consent laws also require transparency about technological limits, emergency plans, and client rights. Embedding these in practice — and reinforcing them through self-paced online CEUs (APA-Approved Sponsor) — keeps us aligned with both law and ethics.

 Enroll in our APA approved Sponsor | ethics CE course online

Bringing it all together

Telehealth offers incredible opportunities, but without attention to equity, access, and ethics, it risks reinforcing existing disparities. By integrating laws governing telepsychology, ethical guidelines, and research on diverse populations, we strengthen both our competence and our care. And by earning CEUs from an APA-Approved Sponsor, psychologists can confidently ensure their telehealth practice is accessible, compliant, and ethically sound.

Strengthen your competence in telehealth equity and ethics. Enroll in our APA Approved Sponsor CE course on Telehealth: Efficacy, Laws & Ethics today — meet your APA ethics CE requirements while learning practical tools to promote access, reduce disparities, and practice ethically online.

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APA Approved Sponsor Ethics CE Hub for Psychologists
Enroll in our APA approved Sponsor Ethics CE Course

 Enroll in our APA approved Sponsor | ethics CE course online

Read next in the series: Laws Governing Telepsychology and Interstate Licensing Requirements

References

1. Abuyadek, R. M., Hammouda, E. A., Elrewany, E., Elmalawany, D. H., Ashmawy, R., Zeina, S., Gebreal, A., & Ghazy, R. M. (2024). Global acceptability of tele-mental health interventions: A systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Public Health, 24, Article 1143. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-024-18436-7

2. Nwokedi, C. N., Olowe, K. J., Alli, O. I., & Iguma, D. R. (2025). The role of telehealth in psychological counseling: A comprehensive review. World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 25(1), 1639–1649. https://doi.org/10.30574/wjarr.2025.25.1.0228

3. White-Williams, C., Liu, X., Shang, D., & Santiago, J. (2023). Use of telehealth among racial and ethnic minority groups in the United States before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Public Health Reports, 138(1), 149–156. https://doi.org/10.1177/00333549221123575