Understanding the Two Sides of Online Counseling and their Ethical and Legal Ramifications

Li, Lau Poh; Jaladin, Rafidah Aga Mohd; Abdullah, Haslee Sharil Lim

doi:10.1016/j.sbspro.2013.10.453

Cited by 44 publications

(31 citation statements)

References 32 publications

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“…Interruptions probably represented one of the factors that made our clients feel online psychotherapy was insufficient to satisfy their need for closeness. In fact, we found a frequent request to integrate online sessions with face-to-face sessions that might indicate that online psychotherapy does not arise as an exclusive substitute for traditional psychotherapy, but rather as a possible integration of it, as outlined by previous studies (Barak & Grohol, 2011;King et al, 2009;Suler, 2000).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 66%

“…Online therapy may be synchronous or asynchronous, automatic or interpersonal, an individual or group therapy, and it may be provided as a stand-alone service or an adjunct to traditional face-to-face psychotherapy (Barak & Grohol, 2011;Suler, 2000). These modalities differ with respect to their advantages and disadvantages (Mora, Nevid, & Chaplin, 2008).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The elements that typify the traditional therapeutic relationship such as empathy, support, and readiness for self-disclosure are the same as those that allow the formation of an authentic online relationship (Cook & Doyle, 2002), but the context becomes expanded and includes: the client's environment, the therapist's environment and the screen of the computer (Spagnolli & Gamberini, 2002). Cybertherapy allows a new conception of psychotherapy that includes the communication mode chosen by the client (Suler, 2000).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Construing a therapeutic relationship online: An analysis of videoconference sessions

Cipolletta

Frassoni

Faccio

2018

Clinical Psychologist

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Objective The aim of this study is to investigate the elements that characterize the formation of a therapeutic relationship when the sessions are conducted through videoconference. Method Conversation analysis was used to analyse the first three counselling sessions with five clients, for a total of 15 sessions. Results The phenomena detected in the conversational sequences dealt with the following issues: starting up (early definition of the problem, motivation to use a communication technology, and therapeutic rules), technological ruptures (interruptions and multimedia repair), environment, privacy, and going beyond videoconferencing, such as inter‐session contact and moving from videoconferencing to face‐to‐face meetings. The analysis of relational asymmetries also highlighted the relational dominance of the therapist. A series of these phenomena could be ascribed to the online modality; other ones are common in face‐to‐face sessions. The frequent request to integrate online sessions with face‐to‐face sessions might indicate that online psychotherapy is seen as a complement to face‐to‐face psychotherapy more than as a substitute for it. Conclusions The potential of online psychotherapy is still underestimated and further studies should be conducted on the specificities of the computer‐mediated communication within the therapeutic relationship.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 66%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Construing a therapeutic relationship online: An analysis of videoconference sessions

Cipolletta

Frassoni

Faccio

2018

Clinical Psychologist

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“…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)].…”

Section: Enhancing Accountabilitymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Many authors have questioned whether an effective and successful therapeutic alliance can be developed solely through technology [see (78)] and whether the well-known benefits of the therapeutic relationship might disappear or diminish in online psychotherapy [see (79)]. Other issues raised in this include absence of non-verbal cues and lack of intimacy [see (51)].…”

Section: Therapeutic Relationship Issuesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ethical Issues in Online Psychotherapy: A Narrative Review

2020

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Background: The provision of psychotherapy over distance using technology is a growing market reaching many patients and therefore the risks and benefits need to be known by all psychotherapists whether they themselves practice online or not. This comprehensive review of the main ethical arguments for and against different forms of online psychotherapy aims to enhance discussion of ethical issues in this growing area. Methods: A search of three databases (PubMed, PsycINFO, Web of Science) was conducted in August 2019 using a specific search protocol yielding 249 publications. Results: Of 24 ethical arguments in favor of online psychotherapy and 32 against, the top five ethical arguments in favor of online psychotherapy were (1) increased access to psychotherapy and service availability and flexibility; (2) therapy benefits and enhanced communication; (3) advantages related to specific client characteristics (e.g. remote location); (4) convenience, satisfaction, acceptance, and increased demand; and (5) economic advantages. 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. Conclusions: The findings may be of help to practitioners in deciding whether to engage in online psychotherapy, and in informing patients about risks and benefits, improving ethical guidelines, and stimulating further ethical discussion. The findings are argumentative and qualitative in nature, and further quantitative research is needed.

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Treatment gap in bereavement care: (Online) bereavement support needs and use after traumatic loss

Lenferink

Keijser

Eisma

et al. 2021

Clin Psychology and Psychoth

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People bereaved through road traffic accidents (RTAs) are at risk for severe and disabling grief (i.e., pathological grief). Knowledge about needs and use of bereavement care, including psychotherapy, pharmacotherapy, and support groups is limited. This study charted (correlates of) the needs and use of bereavement care in RTA bereaved people. Furthermore, while online grief treatment seems effective, it is unknown whether it is perceived as acceptable. Accordingly, we examined the acceptability of online treatment. Dutch RTA bereaved adults (N=273) completed self-report measures about needs and use of bereavement care, acceptability of online grief treatment, and pathological grief. Regression analyses were used to identify correlates of care needs and use and acceptability of online treatment. The majority (63%) had received help from psychotherapy, pharmacotherapy, and/or support groups. One in five participants had not used bereavement care services, despite reporting elevated pathological grief levels and/or expressing a need for care, pointing to a treatment gap. Use of psychological support before the loss was the strongest predictor of bereavement care needs and use following the loss. A minority (35%) reported being inclined to use online grief treatment if in need of support. More openness towards online services was related to greater acceptability of online treatment. In conclusion, 20% of RTA bereaved people with pathological grief or care needs had not received care. This treatment gap may be reduced by improving accessibility of online treatments. However, as only 35% was open to using online treatments, increasing the acceptability of (online) treatments appears important.

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Understanding the Two Sides of Online Counseling and their Ethical and Legal Ramifications

Cited by 44 publications

References 32 publications

Construing a therapeutic relationship online: An analysis of videoconference sessions

Construing a therapeutic relationship online: An analysis of videoconference sessions

Ethical Issues in Online Psychotherapy: A Narrative Review

Treatment gap in bereavement care: (Online) bereavement support needs and use after traumatic loss

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