Technology and Client Care: Therapy Considerations in a Digital Society

Abstract

This article discusses technology and social networking issues for couple and family therapists in their professional relationships with couples and families. Despite the prevalence of technology in many spheres of contemporary clients' lives, the potential for intrusion, unrealistic expectations of accessibility, and boundary violations can adversely affect therapy relationships. The article specifically addresses: (a) technology and the ecology of therapy, (b) the therapy relationship and boundary management, (c) social media within and outside the therapy relationship, and (d) ancillary uses of technology in therapy. It concludes with recommendations for addressing and managing technology in the therapy relationship.Keywords: ethics, couple and family therapy, technology, boundaries Key Points1 Technological innovation has created a cultural norm where, with few exceptions, social media and technology-based communications are preferred and expected methods of interaction in social and professional arenas. 2 Though ubiquitous and highly efficient, social media and technology-based communications can promote assumptions about rapid access, rapid responses, and frequent interchanges between parties. 3 Couple and family therapists demonstrate ethical practice with clients/systems by establishing boundary expectations and methods of effective communication outside of sessions. 4 Social media and technology-based communications introduce issues beyond those that are traditional for boundary management and communications between clients/systems and therapist. 5 Anticipation and deliberate attention to the unique issues of technology should inform therapists as they clarify acceptable and unacceptable expectations for access or social exchanges with clients/systems.

Digital systemic practices in Europe: a survey before the Covid‐19 pandemic

“…They were nonetheless using synchronous tools like Skype and other technologies which do not meet information security standards; this might be due to a lack of awareness or a perceived lack of other options. Around half of therapists expressed some or a lot of concern with regard to ethical and legal issues, in line with previous European (Balaouras et al ., 2018; Cipolletta and Mocellin, 2018) as well as American surveys (Anderson and Guyton, 2013; Hertlein et al ., 2015; Perle et al ., 2014; Wilcoxon, 2015). The lack of national and transnational regulation was perceived as a problem by less than half of SCFTs in the present survey.…”

Virtual Relationships and Systemic Practices in the Digital Era

“…Ethical concern in providing online psychotherapy or other e-mental health interventions (by means of video conferencing, e-mail, texting, chat or virtual reality technology) has been reported by many authors as one of the main worries expressed by mental health professionals regarding the use of ICTs (e.g., Hecker and Murphy 2015;Wilcoxon 2015;Wells et al 2007;Negretti and Wieling 2001).…”

Η Θεραπευτική Σχέση Στη Συστημική Ψυχοθεραπεία Οικογένειας Και Ζεύγους: Απόψεις Σε Εξέλιξη

“…Ταυτοχρόνως, οι σύγχρονες ψηφιακές πρακτικές παρουσιάζουν μερικά μειονεκτικά χαρακτηριστικά σε σχέση με τις «παραδοσιακές» συνθήκες διαχείρισης της θεραπευτικής / συμβουλευτικής συνεδρίας όπως έλλειψη άμεσης βλεμματικής επαφής, μειωμένη δυνατότητα ενσυναίσθησης και κατανόησης της συναισθηματικής κατάστασης του άλλου καθώς και του συναισθηματικού κλίματος της συνεδρίας, ζητήματα ιδιωτικότητας, υψηλότερο ρίσκο παρά-πληροφόρησης κ.ά. (Hecker & Murphy, 2015• Wilcoxon, 2015• Wells et al, 2007.…”