North Carolina Association of Professional Psychologists

06/13/2026

NCAPP in partnership with NCSPA, is excited to invite you to a timely AI Ethics presentation offering 3 hours of APA Category A Ethics CEU credit!

Title: Clinician in the Loop: Ethical AI Use in Mental Health Practice

Description
Artificial intelligence tools are rapidly entering clinical and administrative workflows in mental health care, including report writing, documentation support, psychoeducation, treatment planning, communication, and clinical decision support. These tools offer meaningful opportunities to improve efficiency and accessibility, but they also introduce ethical and practical risks that clinicians cannot delegate to the technology itself.
This presentation provides a clinically grounded overview of AI applications in mental health practice, with particular attention to ethical decision-making. Participants will examine common uses of AI, emerging evidence on its strengths and limitations, and the major ethical concerns associated with clinical implementation, including privacy and confidentiality, informed consent, bias and equity, hallucinated or inaccurate output, professional competence, automation bias, deskilling, and practitioner accountability. The presentation emphasizes a balanced position: AI is neither a replacement for clinical expertise nor a technology to be categorically avoided, but a tool that requires deliberate governance, transparent use, careful monitoring, and continued human responsibility.

7/10 Event Registration Links
Clinician in the Loop: Ethical AI Use in Mental Health Practice - Registration Link
https://buy.stripe.com/9B6dR8dtQ8TVev5eKN7wA0a

NCAPP & NCSPA Members Only
Clinician in the Loop: Ethical AI Use in Mental Health Practice - Registration Link
Membership will be verified by NCAPP and NCSPA for those registering for discounted rate
https://buy.stripe.com/3cI9AS75s4DF2MneKN7wA09

Presenter: Ryan L. Farmer, PhD is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychology at the University of Memphis, where he directs the MA/EdS School Psychology Program and serves as Clinic Director of the Psychological Services Center. He teaches graduate coursework and co-directs the School Psychology Applications research lab with Dr. Randy Floyd. Dr. Farmer serves on the editorial boards of the Journal of School Psychology and School Psychology Review, chairs the APA Division 16 Ethics Committee, serves as co-chair of the Association for Psychological Training Clinic's Research Committee, and was a member of NASP's AI Task Force. His research focuses on low-value practices in school psychology, professional AI adoption, and the research-to-practice gap.

Learning Goals
Describe common and emerging uses of AI in mental health practice, including documentation, report writing, psychoeducation, treatment planning, and administrative support.
Identify major ethical risks associated with AI use in clinical settings, including threats to confidentiality, inadequate informed consent, biased output, hallucinations, inaccurate clinical recommendations, and unclear data governance.
Apply core ethical principles to AI-assisted clinical work, including beneficence, nonmaleficence, justice, autonomy, confidentiality, professional competence, and accountability.
Evaluate when AI use is clinically appropriate, inappropriate, or permissible only with safeguards, particularly when client-identifiable information, diagnostic reasoning, treatment recommendations, or culturally responsive care are involved.
Develop practical strategies for responsible AI use, including protecting client information, obtaining meaningful consent, reviewing AI-generated content, documenting human oversight, avoiding overreliance, and ensuring that AI supplements rather than replaces professional judgment.

In partnerrships with NCSPA, these types of continuing education are provided
APA Approved SponsorAPA Approved
These credits are for those who are licensed by the NC Psychology Board. The North Carolina School Psychology Association (NCSPA) is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. NCSPA maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

The EVENT offers up to 3 Contact Hours (Category A) continuing education credit to NC Licensed Psychologists, for each registrant who attends 100% of the session. No partial credit is given. Participants must sign in and out of each session.

NASP Approved Provider LogoNASP Approved

These credits are for those who are Nationally Certified School Psychologists (NCSP). The North Carolina School Psychology Association (NCSPA) is approved by the National Association of School Psychologists to offer professional development for school psychologists. NCSPA maintains responsibility for the program.

For those requesting Continuing Professional Development (CPD) for NCSP certification, NCSPA will award up to 3 CPDs to participants who sign in and out at the beginning and end of each session. Attendance verification (sign-in/out) required.

NCDPIProfessional Educator's License

These credits are for those who are licensed by the Department of Public Instruction. With the approval of your school district, you could receive up to 3 renewal hours for this conference (CEUs).

06/01/2026

UPCOMING NCAPP CE Events (Preview)

Ethical Pitfalls to Avoid
Speaker: Robert Hill, PhD
Friday June 12 from 9am – 12:15pm
Click here to register (AHEC website: : https://northwestahec.wakehealth.edu/t3/courses-and-events/78364/lessons-from-a-licensure-board-ethical-pitfalls-to-avoid
Cost: $90
NCAPP Members Cost: $75 (email [email protected] or login in the NCAPP members page for discount code)

Clinician in the Loop: Ethical AI Use in Mental Health Practice
Speaker: Ryan L. Farmer, PhD
Friday July 10th from 9am-12:15pm
Cost: $90
Registration Link: https://buy.stripe.com/9B6dR8dtQ8TVev5eKN7wA0a
NCAPP and NCSPA members Cost: $75
Registration Link: https://buy.stripe.com/3cI9AS75s4DF2MneKN7wA09

Lunch N Learn with the NC Psychology Board
The More You Know – Information and actions to help reduce the likelihood of having a complaint filed with the Board
Speakers – Susan Hurt, Ph.D., Board Chair, Dan Collins, J.D., Board Executive Director, Marc Davis, Board Investigator/Staff Psychologist
Friday July 24th from 12:00-1:00pm
One hour Category B event
Cost: $20.00
https://buy.stripe.com/14AeVcahE3zB4UvfOR7wA0c
NCAPP MEMBERS ONLY Cost $15
https://buy.stripe.com/00w3cublI3zB86H9qt7wA0b

05/19/2026

Lessons from a Licensure Board:
Ethical Pitfalls to Avoid
June 12, 2026 9AM - 12:15PM
Live Webinar
This workshop will present examples of complaints and details of cases brought to professional Licensure Boards where mental health professionals have been investigated and sanctioned. The presentation will review common types of professional behavioral infractions, ethical lapses, and the kinds of responses that Boards have used in disciplining licensees. The case examples should increase professional awareness of pitfalls to avoid and provide opportunities to discuss example scenarios and best practices. This 3 hour workshop will meet required Ethics CE criteria for psychologists and other mental health professionals.

Learn more and register (https://clickcpd.mahec.net/click/9t4x-310xm3-c6sx3z-yjatuw4/)

Presenter: Robert Hill, Ph.D., ABPP
Clinical Psychologist
Board Certified in Clinical Psychology
CLICK FOR DETAILS https://clickcpd.mahec.net/click/9t4x-310xm3-c6sx40-yjatuw1/

05/15/2026

NAMI WALK Tomorrow: Donate and Join us!
NCAPP

The NAMI walk is tomorrow and NCAPP will be present. Please let us know If you plan to be present so we can meet up and walk together. We plan to be near the registration area. You can reply to this email if you plan to come out.
🟢 NAMI Walk – May 16, 2026
NCAPP is participating in the NAMI Walk, and we’d love for you to join our team.
👉 https://www.namiwalks.org/teams/81624
By joining, you can create your own fundraising page to share with your network. Our team goal is $1,000, which unlocks special recognition if achieved.
Event Details:
📍 Perimeter Park, 3015 Carrington Mill Blvd, Morrisville, NC
🗓 Saturday, May 16, 2026
⏰ Registration: 9:00 a.m. | Ceremony: 10:00 a.m. | Walk: 10:30 a.m.
🚶 Route options: 1-mile or 2-mile
This is a meaningful way to support mental health awareness and advocacy—we hope to see you there. Even if you are not able to be present, you can still support our team and NAMI with a donation. Just click the link above.

I'm supporting NAMI!

05/15/2026

You are invited to attend an engaging and highly relevant ethics workshop for mental health professionals:
Lessons from a Licensure Board: Ethical Pitfalls to Avoid
Friday, June 12, 2026
9:00 AM – 12:15 PM EDT
Live Webinar
Cost $90.00 (NCAPP members - discount code on members webpage and via your email)
Registration Link: http://www.nwahec.org/78364

This 3-hour workshop will examine real-world examples of complaints and disciplinary cases brought before professional licensure boards involving mental health professionals. Through case discussion and practical application, participants will gain valuable insight into the ethical and professional behaviors that most commonly result in investigations, sanctions, and board action.
Presented by Robert W. Hill, PhD, ABPP, a board-certified clinical psychologist, this session offers a unique opportunity to learn from actual licensure cases and strengthen ethical decision-making in clinical practice.
Participants will learn to:
Identify three common areas of professional practice that frequently lead to board complaints or investigations
Recognize the dual relationship issues most often associated with licensure problems
Apply best practices and risk-management strategies to avoid common ethical pitfalls
CE Credit Available:
3 Category A CE Hours for NC Psychologists
3 Contact Hours from Northwest AHEC
Intended Audience:
Psychologists, social workers, counselors, marriage and family therapists, substance use and addictions professionals, and other licensed mental health clinicians.
This workshop fulfills required Ethics CE criteria for psychologists and other mental health professionals and is especially valuable for clinicians seeking practical, case-based guidance on maintaining ethical excellence in practice.
We hope you’ll join us for this timely and informative training.

04/24/2026

Update from Aetna
NC State Health Plan Behavioral Health Member Cost Share for Standard PPO Plan and Plus PPO Plan



What Happened

Between January and March 2026, Aetna administered claims for some behavioral health benefits differently than the State Health Plan intended. Aetna made updates in March to apply deductible/coinsurance for the services listed below when provided in an outpatient or office setting without an associated office visit CPT code.

Electro-Convulsive Therapy (ECT)
Injectables
Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP)
Neuropsychological and psychological testing
Partial Hospitalization
Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)


What Is Changing

Following a comprehensive review with the State Health Plan, Aetna realized our benefit coding did not match their intent for services in an office setting.



As of April 23, 2026, our system will apply:

The behavioral health copay only for claims with an office visit CPT code
No member cost share for other medically necessary covered services in the office setting


Our Commitment

We will reprocess impacted claims back to January 1, 2026, where applicable – you don’t need to do anything
If you received a refund request related to prior reprocessing, you may receive a retraction letter informing you to ignore the letter


We appreciate your patience and partnership as we work to ensure claims are administered consistently with the State Health Plan’s approved benefit design. Our focus remains on minimizing provider burden while ensuring accurate and timely payment.

04/22/2026

PAR Featured Product

Su***de Effective Crisis Response and Treatment
Wednesday, May 6
1:30-3:30 PM ET

Eligible for 2 CE Credits*

Psychologists are increasingly supporting individuals experiencing suicidal thoughts—often without access to suicide‑specific, evidence‑based interventions. In these high‑risk situations, uncertainty around best‑practice response can increase emotional strain and clinical risk, making expert guidance essential.

Meet the Presenter

LISA FIRESTONE, PhD

Join us for a live PARtalks webinar led by Lisa Firestone, PhD, a clinical psychologist, suicidologist, and Director of Research and Education at the Glendon Association. Dr. Firestone is a consultant on high‑risk cases, and the coauthor of multiple widely used suicide‑ and violence‑risk assessments published by PAR, bringing a rare depth of real‑world expertise to this session.

From Evidence to Action: Su***de-Specific Strategies for Clinical Practice

Webinar Overview
In this highly impactful webinar, Dr. Firestone will explain how suicide‑specific, empirically validated treatments can be turned into clear strategies you can apply in your practice. You’ll learn how to identify self‑destructive thought patterns, distinguish acute warning signs from long‑term risk factors, and implement crisis interventions that are quickly becoming the standard of care.

The session will conclude with a live Q&A, giving participants the opportunity to ask questions and engage directly with a trusted authority in the field.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Describe clients’ negative thought patterns and attitudes that influence self-destructive and suicidal behavior.
Compare and contrast warning signs of immediate risk versus long-term risk factors.
Implement empirically validated crisis intervention for suicidal patients that is the standard of care.
Webinar Details

Wednesday, May 6, 2026, 1:30-3:30 PM ET

Free CE available*

→ Register Now

04/22/2026

Su***de Effective Crisis Response and Treatment
→ Join the Conversation: link in the comments
Wednesday, May 6
1:30-3:30 PM ET
Eligible for 2 CE Credits*
Psychologists are increasingly supporting individuals experiencing suicidal thoughts—often without access to suicide‑specific, evidence‑based interventions. In these high‑risk situations, uncertainty around best‑practice response can increase emotional strain and clinical risk, making expert guidance essential.
Meet the Presenter
LISA FIRESTONE, PhD
Join us for a live PARtalks webinar led by Lisa Firestone, PhD, a clinical psychologist, suicidologist, and Director of Research and Education at the Glendon Association. Dr. Firestone is a consultant on high‑risk cases, and the coauthor of multiple widely used suicide‑ and violence‑risk assessments published by PAR, bringing a rare depth of real‑world expertise to this session.
From Evidence to Action: Su***de-Specific Strategies for Clinical Practice
Webinar Overview
In this highly impactful webinar, Dr. Firestone will explain how suicide‑specific, empirically validated treatments can be turned into clear strategies you can apply in your practice. You’ll learn how to identify self‑destructive thought patterns, distinguish acute warning signs from long‑term risk factors, and implement crisis interventions that are quickly becoming the standard of care.
The session will conclude with a live Q&A, giving participants the opportunity to ask questions and engage directly with a trusted authority in the field.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Describe clients’ negative thought patterns and attitudes that influence self-destructive and suicidal behavior.
Compare and contrast warning signs of immediate risk versus long-term risk factors.
Implement empirically validated crisis intervention for suicidal patients that is the standard of care.
Webinar Details
Wednesday, May 6, 2026, 1:30-3:30 PM ET
Free CE available*
→ Register Now link in the comments

04/19/2026

Update for Providers on Aetna/State Health Plan Claims Issue
To our fellow psychologists and behavioral health providers who have been dealing with unpaid or denied claims from Aetna/State Health Plan. There's some movement.
We received word from the NC Treasurer's office that they are aware of the claims processing error affecting our billed services. Per their message, providers do not need to resubmit or take additional action at this time. The Treasurer's office is expecting an update from Aetna tomorrow on when the coding issue will be corrected and when the impacted claims will be reprocessed.
I know how frustrating this has been - seeing sessions go unpaid, and trying to figure out whether to rebill. Hang in there. Once Aetna fixes the coding error on their end, the affected claims should be reprocessed automatically.

We will post another update as soon as we hear more.

04/17/2026

Update: we reached out to the NC Treasurer's office and it looks like we've made some progress on a resolution on this issue. We will update you with more concrete information when we know for certain that it is resolved.

It has come to our attention that multiple BHAP-enrolled providers across North Carolina are experiencing a serious and troubling pattern with claims for psychological testing services under the NC State Health Plan, administered by Aetna. NCAPP is actively engaged in advocacy efforts on your behalf, and we want to make sure you have the information you need.
What Is Happening:
Claims for psychological testing services (eg., CPT codes 96130, 31, 32, 33 and 96136, 37) that were processed and paid as expected under the BHAP fee schedule earlier in the 2026 plan year are now being applied entirely to the member's deductible rather than processed as covered behavioral health benefits. This means providers are not being paid, and clients are receiving unexpected out-of-pocket charges. When providers have contacted Aetna for clarification, they are being told this is the result of a "member benefit change."
This is inconsistent with the NC State Health Plan's own published benefit terms, which continue to list psychological testing as a covered BHAP service reimbursed at 140% of current NC Medicare rates. No written notice of a mid-year benefit change has been communicated to providers.
It is important to note: this is not a billing error on your part. The same CPT codes, for the same members, were covered and paid earlier in this same plan year.
What NCAPP Is Doing:
NCAPP is drafting formal contact directed at both Aetna and the NC State Health Plan, requesting:
• Written documentation of the benefit change cited, including its effective date and authorizing policy.
• Confirmation of whether CPT codes 96130, 96131, 96136, and 96137 remain covered BHAP benefits under the 2026 Standard and Plus PPO plans.
• Evidence that required advance notice of any material benefit change was provided to members, consistent with ERISA and NC law.
• A commitment to reprocess all affected claims consistent with the Plan's published benefit terms.
We are prepared to escalate this matter to the NC State Health Plan Board of Trustees, the NC State Treasurer, and other regulatory bodies if a satisfactory resolution is not provided. The BHAP program was established specifically to sustain behavioral health provider participation in this network, systematic mid-year changes of this nature directly undermine that mission.
What You Should Do Now:
1. Review your EOBs. Look for claims on CPT codes 96130, 96131, 96136, and 96137 where the full allowed amount has been applied to the member deductible rather than paid as a covered benefit. Compare against earlier 2026 claims for the same codes that were paid - this is critical evidence.
2. Do not write these off. These claims are likely appealable. File a formal appeal on any affected claim, citing that the same service was processed as a covered benefit earlier in the 2026 plan year.
3. Prepare your clients. Clients may be receiving unexpected cost-sharing notices. Reassure them this is not a provider billing error and that you are working to resolve it.
4. Report your experience to NCAPP. The more providers who document this pattern, the stronger our collective case. Please email us at [NCAPP email] with the number of affected claims, dates of service, and any written communications you have received from Aetna regarding this change.
Useful Contacts If You Need to Act Independently:
• Aetna Provider Line: 888-632-3862 | [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected])
• NC State Health Plan Provider Relations: [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]) | 919-814-4400