Some Information About Technology-Assisted Services
Possible benefits of technology-assisted services (e.g., video- and/or telephone-based therapy) include but are not limited to being able to meet with your therapist despite being in different geographical locations, saving you time by not requiring travel to a physical therapy office, and of course being able to meet safely in the context of COVID-19 concerns. Such services also carry potential risks/limitations. Please do not hesitate to ask any questions or raise any concerns you may have when we speak over video and/or telephone.
This therapy practice seeks to use technology platforms and other forms of technological assistance that are compliant with applicable laws and that meet appropriate professional standards (e.g., in regard to “confidentiality and quality of services” [American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, 2015, "6.3 Confidentiality," para. 1]). Nevertheless, some possible risks/limitations of technology-assisted services are “technical failures; interruption by unauthorized persons; unauthorized access to transmitted and/or stored confidential information; and decreased availability of the therapist in the event of a crisis” (Tran-Lien, 2016, para. 5). There may be additional technology-related factors that affect therapeutic work. For example, nonverbal client information that would have been clearly visible to a therapist physically located in the same room might not readily be perceived by the therapist over video or telephone. It is also possible, for instance, that a video session could be interrupted due to a poor Internet connection.
As a therapist, I (Frances) am responsible for, among other things, choosing appropriate technology platforms and other forms of technological assistance; providing competent services; protecting client confidentiality and maintaining, storing, and transmitting information according to relevant ethical and legal standards; and ensuring that telehealth is appropriate for a particular client’s needs.
As a client, it is your responsibility to, wherever possible, participate in therapy from a private space in which you are not likely to be overheard, to consider the risks/limitations and benefits of using a particular technology platform or electronic means of communication, and to protect your own materials and other information related to therapy so as to maintain your own privacy and confidentiality. Please let me know if you are seeking to participate in therapy (even for just a session or two) outside of California or Florida, as I am not legally able to provide services to clients located in many other regions. And again, please let me know of any questions or concerns you may have, including but not limited to any factors that could impact confidentiality and/or quality of services (e.g., if you think you may not have the technology needed to participate in online therapy). Thank you!
Sources Cited
American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy. (2015). Code of ethics. https://www.aamft.org/Legal_Ethics/Code_of_Ethics.aspx
Tran-Lien, A. (2016, September/October). Regulatory and legal considerations for telehealth. Therapist. https://www.camft.org/Resources/Legal-Articles /Chronological-Article-List/regulatory-and-legal-considerations-for-telehealth
This therapy practice seeks to use technology platforms and other forms of technological assistance that are compliant with applicable laws and that meet appropriate professional standards (e.g., in regard to “confidentiality and quality of services” [American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, 2015, "6.3 Confidentiality," para. 1]). Nevertheless, some possible risks/limitations of technology-assisted services are “technical failures; interruption by unauthorized persons; unauthorized access to transmitted and/or stored confidential information; and decreased availability of the therapist in the event of a crisis” (Tran-Lien, 2016, para. 5). There may be additional technology-related factors that affect therapeutic work. For example, nonverbal client information that would have been clearly visible to a therapist physically located in the same room might not readily be perceived by the therapist over video or telephone. It is also possible, for instance, that a video session could be interrupted due to a poor Internet connection.
As a therapist, I (Frances) am responsible for, among other things, choosing appropriate technology platforms and other forms of technological assistance; providing competent services; protecting client confidentiality and maintaining, storing, and transmitting information according to relevant ethical and legal standards; and ensuring that telehealth is appropriate for a particular client’s needs.
As a client, it is your responsibility to, wherever possible, participate in therapy from a private space in which you are not likely to be overheard, to consider the risks/limitations and benefits of using a particular technology platform or electronic means of communication, and to protect your own materials and other information related to therapy so as to maintain your own privacy and confidentiality. Please let me know if you are seeking to participate in therapy (even for just a session or two) outside of California or Florida, as I am not legally able to provide services to clients located in many other regions. And again, please let me know of any questions or concerns you may have, including but not limited to any factors that could impact confidentiality and/or quality of services (e.g., if you think you may not have the technology needed to participate in online therapy). Thank you!
Sources Cited
American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy. (2015). Code of ethics. https://www.aamft.org/Legal_Ethics/Code_of_Ethics.aspx
Tran-Lien, A. (2016, September/October). Regulatory and legal considerations for telehealth. Therapist. https://www.camft.org/Resources/Legal-Articles /Chronological-Article-List/regulatory-and-legal-considerations-for-telehealth
If you are in crisis or require immediate attention, please call 911, or go to your nearest hospital emergency room. The 24-hour hotline number for Crisis Support Services of Alameda County is (800) 309-2131.