Who regulates electronic forms of counseling?

As we close out 2012, we continue to have little clarity regarding the regulation of tele mental health services. I received this newsletter from my state licensing board. It nicely reviews some of the ethical and practice matters for mental health services provided in non-face-to-face settings. However, read the “note” at the bottom,

Note:  If psychological services are provided and/or received in a state other than Pennsylvania, the licensure authority in that jurisdiction should be contacted regarding licensure requirements and practice limitations.

Pennsylvania cannot regulate what we do elsewhere. However, they do not seem to regulate the provision of telehealth to PA consumers by outsiders. This will remain a gray issue until either (a) a legal ruling in a case or (b) states explicitly limit the practice of telehealth.