Intersections Between Ethics and Technology: Online Client–Therapist Interactions

Abstract

With the growing technological advancement, the paradigms of client-therapist interaction are also changing. There is an emerging trend of practising e-therapy in India. The chapter discusses the possible ethical issues that might arise in the context of client-therapist interaction in the digital world. It enlists the steps of deciding if a client is suitable for e-therapy and how to think about the therapeutic frame in the context of e-therapy. It highlights issues related to confidentiality and electronic security, boundary management particularly with respect to time, payment and fees, contact between sessions and multitasking with e-therapy. It also highlights the ethical concerns with respect to client-therapist encounters in the online space. The ethical codes and guidelines are analysed and recommendations are made to help mental health practitioners address the ethical issues arising in this context. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved)