Usually online therapy complements traditional counseling clients, but sometimes online therapy-this is the only way to help the client. These guidelines (principles of counseling) are relevant only to the methods of online counseling. The use of other psychotherapeutic techniques is not addressed in any way in these recommendations. The terms "online therapy", "client", "therapist" are used solely because of the breadth of definitions and solely for the purpose of simplifying the text, and thus do not render any disrespect to the traditions or individual aspects of any psychotherapeutic discipline.
Informed consent
The client should be informed prior to online therapy. In particular, the client should be informed about the therapy process, have information about the therapist, potential risks, disadvantages and advantages of online therapy, measures to protect against these risks, and available alternatives to this type of therapy.
Process.
1. Possible misunderstandings.
The client should be informed that in online therapy (as in any other method based on text, for example, by e-mail) there may be misunderstandings (as there is no important non-verbal information) and even when using a video camera.
2. Resetting time.
One of the important features of providing online therapy using asynchronous communication (not in "real time", for example, by e — mail) is the time of return (turnover of information). The client should be informed how quickly he can expect a response from the therapist, after writing him a letter.
3. Confidentiality and privacy of the therapist.
Issues of privacy and privacy online are becoming more relevant than in face-to-face therapy. The therapist has the right to confidentiality and privacy, so he may wish to restrict or prohibit any copying, duplication or recording of communication with the client. Cm.below about client confidentiality.
Therapist.
If the client and therapist do not meet in person, the client has less opportunity to evaluate the therapist and decide whether or not to enter into a therapeutic relationship with that particular therapist.
1. Name. The client must know the name of the therapist. The use of pseudonyms on the Internet is widespread, but the client must know the real name of his therapist.
2. Qualification. The client should be informed about the qualification and education of the therapist. The main information is: relevant higher education and other certificates, certificates, diplomas. The therapist may additionally provide information about special training or special experience.
3. How to make sure of qualification. In order that the client can be convinced of qualification of the therapist, the therapist shall provide phones or links to the websites of the educational institutions which issued the diploma (certificate).
Potential benefit.
The client should be informed about the potential benefits of receiving psychological help online. This includes the conditions under which the therapist considers online therapy appropriate and appropriate, and the possible benefits of online therapy itself. For example, potential benefits of e-mail counseling may include: (1) the ability to send and receive messages at any time of the day; (2) no need to send messages through third parties; (3) the absence of not only third parties, but also voice mail and the inability to reach the therapist by phone; (4) the ability to write a letter to the therapist and think about it for as long as you want; (5) have a correspondence with the therapist on hand to refer to it at any time later; and (6) feel more relaxed than in person.
Potential risk.
The client should be informed about the potential risks of online therapy. For example, potential risks of e-mail therapy may include: (1) messages may not be received and (2) the confidentiality of personal information may be compromised. Emails may not be delivered to the recipient for a reason if they are sent to a different address (which may result in a breach of privacy), or if they were simply not seen by the therapist. Privacy may be compromised during the transmission of data by hacking or at the level of an Internet service provider, or by anyone with access to an e-mail box or computer. Special security measures should be taken if you use a shared computer with family members, students, in a library, etc. in public places.
Security measures.
The client should be informed about the security measures taken by the therapist, as well as what security measures the client can take to protect against the above potential risks. For example, (1) an email "acknowledgement" may be requested (configured) and (2) a password may be set on the computer or, more secure but more complex, encryption may be used.
Alternatives.
The client should be informed about available alternatives to online therapy. For example, the options may be: (1) face-to-face therapy at an appointment, (2) talking to a friend or family member, (3) exercising or meditating, or (4) doing nothing.
Guardianship.
Some people are not able to make their own decisions whether they can use online therapy. In this case, the decision must be obtained from a parent, legal guardian, or other official representative of the interests — and this representative must confirm both his identity and guardianship.
Standard procedure
In General, in online therapy, the therapist should use the same procedures and techniques as in conventional face-to-face therapy. Among them:
Boundaries of competence.
The therapist should remain within his or her area of competence and not attempt to work with the problem online unless the therapist would work with the problem in face-to-face therapy.
Requirements for practice.
The therapist must meet all the necessary requirements for psychotherapeutic and psychological practice (for example, have a diploma), in accordance with the legislation of his location. It may also be necessary to comply with the requirements and the location of the client. See above Qualifications.
The structure of online therapy.
The therapist and the client must agree on the frequency and method of communication, the method of determining the cost, the approximate total cost for the client, payment methods, etc.
Assessment.
The therapist should adequately assess the client before conducting online therapy with him. The client should understand that this assessment can be improved or limited in online communications.
Client confidentiality.
Customer privacy must be protected. Information about the client can be disclosed only with his permission. The client should be informed about all cases-exceptions to this rule.
Records.
The therapist must keep records of the online therapy provided. If these records include a record or copies of correspondence or video conversations with the client, the client must be informed about this.
Established rules and recommendations
The therapist must of course follow the law and other rules and guidelines established for his profession and applicable to him (for example, those developed by professional communities).
Emergency:
Procedures. The client and therapist should discuss how the client can expect emergency care. These procedures should take into account that the therapist may not receive the client's letter or call immediately; and the client should have other alternative ways of obtaining assistance in this case.
Other alternative ways to get help in an emergency. Another important feature of online therapy is that the therapist can be away from the client at any given time. This may limit his ability to respond to a customer immediately in an emergency. The therapist should in this case have the name and contact phone number of a qualified specialist who already either knows the client, or is his doctor.