The aim of this review is to summarize the main ethical arguments for and against the provision of online psychotherapy to further ethical discussion within the relevant professions, and to facilitate the development of comprehensive ethical guidelines to underpin the practice of online psychotherapy. Disagreements were discussed and resolved. Current Trends in Counselling and Psychotherapy, 2021. - Blogger Joint Task Force for the Development of Telepsychology Guidelines for Psychologists (2013). Look for the words HTML. eds., 2003. Swenson J.E., III, Smothermon J, Rosenblad SR, Chalmers B. Coyle D, Doherty G, Matthews M, Sharry J. Washington, DC: Author. Another important issue is whether insurers will cover online psychotherapy in general, as well as instances of malpractice or liability, which may become especially complicated across state or national borders [see (68)]. Watch cutting-edge streaming video that supports teaching, learning, and research at all levels. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). Other issues raised in this include absence of non-verbal cues and lack of intimacy [see (51)]. In this review, the term online psychotherapy encompasses all such terminological variants, including telepsychology [see (2)], telepsychiatry [see (1)], online counseling [see (3)], behavioral telehealth, telemental health [see (4)], internet therapy [see (5)], internet counseling, online practice, online therapy, e-therapy, cyber-counseling, cyberpsychology, e-social work [see (6)], and e-mental health [see (7)]. As a psychology specialty, counseling psychology has confronted and dealt with many issues since its inception. PDF A PUBLICATION OF THE AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION psychology Journal of Counseling Psychology - American Psychological Association (APA) These were selected on the basis that the topic relates to medical, psychological, and ethical issues. Other ethical issues regarding emergency or crisis situations include verification of patient identity and location [see (68)], technological difficulties [see (69)], and cross-border practice [see (70)]. Synonyms and main terms for these three fields were selected, and a search code was constructed for each database (including MeSH terms for PubMed and Thesaurus of Psychological Index Terms for PsycINFO); for details, see Full Search Code in Haberstroh S, Barney L, Foster N, Duffey T. The ethical and legal practice of online counseling and psychotherapy: A review of mental health professions. The top five ethical arguments against engagement in online psychotherapy were (1) privacy, confidentiality, and security issues; (2) therapist competence and need for special training; (3) communication issues specific to technology; (4) research gaps; and (5) emergency issues. Sign in here to access your reading lists, saved searches and alerts. Around 1 in 6 adults. A therapist in the middle of a contentious divorce, who has recently lost a loved one, or who is experiencing addiction should seek out professional help for themselves. Mobile interventions for severe mental illness: Design and preliminary data from three approaches, Online therapy: A therapists guide to expanding your practice, Perceived risks and benefits of emerging technologies in professional psychology. Counseling Ethics Code: 10 Common Ethical Issues & Studies Data security may also be compromised when technology fails [see (62)], with potential breaches of confidentiality that might extend beyond the therapist's control [see (63)]. PDF Past Influences, Present Trends, and Future Challenges in Counseling Sansom-Daly UM, Wakefield CE, McGill BC, Wilson HL, Patterson P. Consensus among international ethical guidelines for the provision of videoconferencing-based mental health treatments, Compliance of social work e-therapy websites to the NASW Code of Ethics, Rural backwaters or front-runners? Any stigma, stigmatization, or perceived stigma associated with seeking mental help services or concerns about being stereotyped can be reduced or eliminated by online psychotherapy. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms. The site is secure. In the context of crisis and suicide prevention, suicide hotlines and other forms of telephone emergency care are long established and proven practices [see (37)]. American Psychological Association . New adherence issues might occur regarding the ease of ending an online session. The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. PDF Current Issues Facing the Counseling Profession Telephone counseling: Are offices becoming obsolete? All students, no matter their race or . In light of the many differences from in-person therapy (e.g. Therapist guided Internet based cognitive behavioural therapy for body dysmorphic disorder: Single blind randomised controlled trial, Telepsychiatry: Licensing and professional boundary concerns, A descriptive study of e-counsellor attitudes, ethics, and practice, The ethics of counseling via the Internet, Modern technologies and applications and community psychiatry, Social and community psychiatry: Towards a critical, patient-oriented approach, E-therapy: Developing an ethical online practice, Ethics and professional issues in couple and family therapy. Becoming Qualified: Individual Journeys to Professional Practice, Some Issues and Practicalities of Private Practice, Appendix 2: A Note on Continuing Professional Development, The Rise of the Evidence-Based Practice Movement, Rhetoric, Reality and Practice: Three Perspectives on Evidence-Based Practice in Applied Psychology, Tensions and Dilemmas in Negotiating the Relationship between Research, Theory and Practice, Beyond Evidence: Research as a Form of Learning within the Community of Practice, Implications of Sexism in Sexual Violence Research for the Applied Psychologist, Feminist Theory and Method as Useful in Informing Research and Practice, Occupational and Organizational Psychology, The Dynamism of Modern Applied Psychology, https://sk.sagepub.com/books/applied-psychology, CCPA Do Not Sell My Personal Information. This reconfigures the balance of power between therapist and patient, making the interaction more collaborative [see (20)]. The specific setting of online psychotherapy gives the therapist more freedom and offers physical protection, but might also protect the patient from breaches of intimacy boundaries and enhance the accountability of both patient and therapist. Google Scholar American Psychological Association . Lovejoy TI, Demireva PD, Grayson JL, McNamara JR. The top five ethical arguments against engagement in online psychotherapy were (1) privacy, confidentiality, and security issues; (2) therapist competence and need for special training; (3) communication issues specific to technology; (4) research gaps; and (5) emergency issues. To begin, that research focused mainly on the usefulness of online psychotherapy before shifting in emphasis to situations in which online psychotherapy might be used, with a view to evaluating the strengths and shortcomings of this approach (1). Jennett PA, Affleck Hall L, Hailey D, Ohinmaa A, Anderson C, Thomas R, et al. The . Karyotaki E, Furukawa TA, Efthimiou O, Riper H, Cuijpers P. Guided or self-guided internet-based cognitive-behavioural therapy (iCBT) for depression? of counseling psychology at the University of California, Santa Barbara, and author of Beyond Your Bubble (APA, 2020), a book about connecting across the political divide. you can save clips, playlists and searches, Navigating away from this page will delete your results. Rural telehealth in the vanguard of psychology practice, Critical ethical issues in online counseling: Assessing current practices with an ethical intent checklist, Emergency management guidelines for telepsychiatry, Review of e-therapy: Case studies, guiding principles, and the clinical potential of the Internet, e-therapy: Case studies, guiding principles, and the clinical potential of the Internet, Using technology to improve counseling practice: A primer for the 21st century, Cybertherapy: Development and usage in the South African context, Critical incidents in the marriage of psychology and technology: A discussion of potential ethical issues in practice, education, and policy, Values and ethics in counseling: Real-life ethical decision making, A qualitative study of ethical, medico-legal and clinical governance matters in Australian telehealth services, Thinking ethically about beginning online work, Psychoanalysis online 2: Impact of technology on development, training, and therapy, Expanding our reach: Telehealth and licensure implications for psychologists, Psychotherapy 2.0: Where psychotherapy and technology meet, Using technology to support evidence-based behavioral health practices: A clinician"s guide. You must have a valid academic email address to sign up. This content is disabled due to your privacy settings. Depp CA, Mausbach B, Granholm E, Cardenas V, Ben-Zeev D, Patterson TL, et al. Clyde A. Crego Michael W. Johnston Wph View Show abstract . As a school counselor, you'll want to make sure your school district is involved in closing achievement and opportunity gaps. For example, during an in vivo exposure, the therapist could be virtually present [see (16)]. Smucker Barnwell S, McCann R, McCutcheon S. The duty to protect: Ethical, legal, and professional considerations for mental health professionals, Review of technology in counselling and psychotherapy: A practitioners guide, Introduction to this special issue: The internet, cybertechnology and the law. Study protocol of an individual participant data network meta-analysis, The ethical practice of consulting psychology. Supplemental Material FOIA (Eds.) An Integral Approach to Counseling An integral approach to counseling and psychotherapy provides a comprehensive, integrated, and non-reductionist perspective of the evolution of counseling and psychotherapy theories and practices. Online psychotherapy can afford the therapist greater freedom [see (49)], including more professional opportunities and a better balance between professional and private life [see (50)]. Sage Knowledge, 9 Jul 2023, doi: https://doi.org/10.4135/9781446279151. The therapeutic relationship established in online psychotherapy is commonly perceived as equal to or better than in-person therapy, and an established therapeutic relationship can be enhanced using online communication [see (38)]. Without that deeper understanding, the risks and benefits reviewed here remain anecdotal and qualitative, with only limited validity (92). Latest articles from Counselling Psychology Quarterly Learn More about Embedding icon link (opens in new window). remote location); (4) convenience, satisfaction, acceptance, and increased demand; and (5) economic advantages. Clinical Update on Some of the Most Controversial Issues in Psychology, offered by Zur Institute for Psychologists, MFTs, SWs, Nurses and Counselors Professional Psychology, 13 (6), 859-870. https:// https://doi.org/10.1037/0735-7028.13.6.859 Abstract Current issues in counseling psychology: Entitlement, education, and Heinlen KT, Welfel ER, Richmond EN, Rak CF. Efficacy, efficiency, and ethics in the provision of telepsychology services: Emerging applications for international workers, Social work practice in the digital age: Therapeutic e-mail as a direct practice methodology, Have you had a long-distance therapeutic relationship? Javascript must be enabled for the correct page display, Watch videos from a variety of sources bringing classroom topics to life, Explore hundreds of books and reference titles. Applied Psychology: Current Issues and New Dire Current Issues and the Future of Clinical Psychology, Statutory Registration and Continuing Professional Development, Relationships with other Applied Psychologists, Accountability and Relationships with the Public, Professional Development and Support Systems in Training, The Transition from Training to (Qualified) Practice, The Future of Clinical Psychology Training, Recent Developments and Trends in the Profession, The Nature and Philosophy of Counselling Psychology, Training Issues for Counselling Psychologists, Diagnosis, the Medicalization of Distress and other Debates, Professional Issues in Forensic Psychology as a Profession. They should take a break from counseling clients if their ability to counsel effectively is impaired. (1982). HHS Vulnerability Disclosure, Help Globalization and Counseling: Professional Issues for Counselors Oct 6, 2014 | Article, Volume 2 - Issue 2 Sonya Lorelle, Rebekah Byrd, Stephanie Crockett Scholars have examined globalization for many years in terms of its impact on individuals, but it remains a concept not often discussed in the counseling literature. Bethesda, MD 20894, Web Policies Kramer GM, Mishkind MC, Luxton DD, Shore JH. Maheu MM, Pulier ML, Wilhelm FH, McMenamin JP, Brown-Connolly NE. As a library, NLM provides access to scientific literature. Does Current Theory Serve Current Practice? Reducing barriers to engaging in psychotherapy by reducing stigma, being able to attend online sessions anonymously thus enhancing a sense of privacy, reaching patients worldwide and across borders are other advantages of online psychotherapy. For clarity, the summary does not include all discussion points, and reference is made to only one publication for each ethical argument. 5 Biggest Challenges for Licensed Mental Health Counselors This is advantageous for both therapist and patient, enabling immediate and timely care [see (3)]. The Journal of Counseling Psychology publishes empirical research in the areas of counseling activities (including assessment, interventions, consultation, supervision, training, prevention, psychological education, and advocacy) career and educational development and vocational psychology Register now. For these reasons, online psychotherapy may not be appropriate for all therapeutic approaches and modalities [see (66)]. Therapists who provide an online service may be more exposed to litigation and increased liability, as for example in cross-border cases [see (29)]. Failure to provide online psychotherapy to vulnerable people who need it can be seen as unethicalfor example, patients living in rural or remote areas with few or occasional local options [see (48)]. Usefulness of videoconferencing in psychiatric emergenciesa qualitative study. Trauma-informed care Nearly 61% of adults have experienced at least one traumatic event in their lifetimes, according to the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES) study. For instance, it may be unclear whether the therapy is seen to take place at the patient's or the therapist's location, raising such questions as which jurisdiction is responsible when a problem arises or which regulates professional practice in the event of a violation [see (75)]. The mental health professional and the new technologies: A handbook for practice today, The use of telephone and on line technology in assessment, counseling, and therapy, Telehealth: Implications for social work practice. By reducing or eliminating barriers such as fear of social stigma, online psychotherapy can reach patients who might never have sought traditional in-person therapy [see (36)]. The use of social networking sites poses new ethical challenges and invites potentially unethical interactions in the context of online psychotherapy, such as friend requests from patients [see (57)] or problematic self-disclosure [see (18)]. Regueiro V, McMartin J, Schaefer C, Woody JM. To construct the search protocol, the research question was structured in terms of three topics: ethics, psychotherapy, and online. ). This may in turn help to address barriers to traditional psychotherapy such as concerns about anonymity and privacy [see (41)]. Psychology News Top Headlines Brain Imaging-Based Biomarker of Depression Identified June 27, 2023 Major depressive disorder (MDD) is not only among the most common mental illnesses, affecting. Technology-mediated communication can contribute positively to teaching and supervision and facilitates inter-professional and inter-collegial exchange worldwide [see (39)]. 2 The Building Blocks to Portability Project from the 20 /20: A Vision for the Future of Counseling profession -wide initiative. The expected results of the research should be communicated to the participant so that they are prepared for them. Publications were collected in August 2019 from three databases: PubMed, PsycINFO, and Web of Science. 3 The independent practice of counseling encompasses the provision of professional counseling servic es to individuals, groups, families, couples and organizations through the application of accepted and established mental health counseling principles, Internet videoconferencing for patient-clinician consultations in long-term conditions: A review of reviews and applications in line with guidelines and recommendations. Psychologists are raising their voices and sharing their expertise on some of the countrys most pressing issues, including gun violence and climate change. To enhance your experience on our site, Sage stores cookies on your computer. Psychology News -- ScienceDaily For further information about the arguments, readers are referred to the source ( As it may be difficult to verify the identity of the patient (or the therapist) online, deception or fraud is a possibilityfor example, a therapist might inadvertently treat a minor without parental consent [see (64)]. Current and Emerging Ethical Issues for Counseling Psychology Login or create a profile so that Dart EH, Whipple HM, Pasqua JL, Furlow CM. London: SAGE Publications Ltd, 2003. Kotsopoulou A, Melis A, Koutsompou VI, Karasarlidou C. Ethical and legal considerations for providers of mental health services online, Online counseling: A handbook for mental health professionals, Ethical concerns for telemental health therapy amidst governmental surveillance, Establishing a telemental health practice, A practitioners guide to telemental health: How to conduct legal, ethical, and evidence-based telepractice, Ethical telepractice with diverse populations, Ethical, legal, and other risk management considerations, Overview of telemental health technologies. Inclusion in an NLM database does not imply endorsement of, or agreement with, A comparative review between global and Indian telepsychiatry programs. motive seems to be punishment of the supervisee for some real or imagined "shortcoming." In either case, the offending supervisor is. Questions also arise as to whether an emergency or crisis situation involving threat to self or others can be detected and addressed where patient and therapist are at different locations [see (67)]. The view that one should not engage in online psychotherapy is legally problematic because it restricts trade and the ethical right to a free market (58). Myths and realities of online clinical work, Concepts, principles, and benefits of telemental health, The use of telepsychology in clinical practice: Benefits, effectiveness, and issues to consider. You will, The LivePerson model for delivery of etherapy services: A case study, Legal, clinical, and ethical issues in teletherapy, Psychoanalysis online: Mental health, teletherapy, and training, Online counseling: A narrative and critical review of the literature, Online counseling: The good, the bad, and the possibilities, E-mail and psychiatry: Some psychotherapeutic and psychoanalytic perspectives, Mental health practitioners' use and attitudes regarding the Internet and social media, Telepsychiatry in India: Where do we stand? Broader research, new guidelines, and a consideration of legal issues in general are needed especially regarding the practice across borders of nations, new payment and insurance issues, challenges to the informed consent process, dealing with emergency situations, enhancing the identification process of the therapist and the patient, and selecting patients that are suitable for online psychotherapy. Meanwhile, the field is becoming more diverse, and technology is changing our research, teaching and practice. Harwood TM, Pratt D, Beutler LE, Bongar BM, Lenore S, Forrester BT. Some important topics requiring further investigation are summarized in Online psychotherapy increases the accountability of both therapist and patient, not least because it is easier to keep records and to make transcripts available to both parties [see (51)], reducing the potential for malpractice and litigation [see (52)]. To provide online psychotherapy, training is needed to ensure appropriate technology-related competences, as well as clinical and therapeutic competences specific to the online setting. It considers health-related issues, applications to serious mental illness, ethical considerations, and psychotherapy integration. Advancing the practice of online psychotherapy: An application of Rogers diffusion of innovations theory, Counselling online in HE: Opportunities and challenges, Short-term counselling in higher education: Context, theory and practice, Optimizing the use of technology in psychology with best practice principles, Net effect: Professional and ethical challenges of medicine online. Psychologys response to technology in mental health, Application of ethics for providing telemedicine services and information technology, https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00993/full#supplementary-material, Increased access, availability and flexibility, Therapy benefits and enhancements in communication, Convenience, satisfaction, acceptance and increased demand, Eliminating barriers to engage in psychotherapy, Patient empowerment and increased patient control, Adaptability of services and personalized care, Unethical not to provide online psychotherapy, Privacy, confidentiality and security issues, Image, tradition and therapists' attitude, Dependence and loss of control by the patient. Start your research with authoritative encyclopedias and handbooks in the social and behavioral sciences. Both many patients and therapists seem to be satisfied with the use of online psychotherapy. Last but not least, the negative influence of technology itself might endanger its users. Online psychotherapy may contribute to internet overuse and ultimately internet addiction [see (47)], potentially increasing social isolation [see (84)] and exposure to unregulated and misleading health-related or other information [see (85)]. Helm S, Koyanagi C, Else I, Horton M, Fukuda M. The University of Hawaii Rural Health Collaboration: Partnerships to provide adult telepsychiatry services. Difficulties herein are put up by new access and availability issues and the loss of therapeutic control. 10 top trends for 2020 - American Psychological Association (APA) McClure RF, Livingston RB, Livingston KH, Gage R. Between strangers: The practice of medicine online, E-therapy: Contemporary tool in psychotherapy, Internet psychotherapy: Current status and future regulation, Social work in a digital age: Ethical and risk management challenges, Utilizing distance technology for mental health counseling. Ethical and legal considerations for Internet-based psychotherapy, Acceptability of Internet treatment of anxiety and depression, Keeping up the good work: A practitioner"s guide to mental health ethics, Therapeutic boundaries in telepsychology: Unique issues and best practice recommendations, The ethical implications of using technology in psychological testing and treatment, Ethical Hum Psychol Psychiatry: Int J Crit Inq, Telepsychiatry and the meaning of in-person contact: A preliminary ethical appraisal, Ethical practice online: An exploration of provider liability risk among practitioners in the emerging field of online therapy, Technological advances and telehealth: Ethics, law, and the practice of psychotherapy.