Etherapy: Ethical and Clinical Considerations for Version 7 of the World Professional Association for Transgender Health's Standards of Care

ABSTRACT

This invited article provides background and exploratory material for the potential inclusion of etherapy in Version 7 of the Standards of Care (SOC). A brief overview of the literature, its applicability and extrapolation to transgender clients, the rationale for etherapy, and clinical and ethical considerations, both general and specific to transpeople, are described. Included in the discussion is an online psychotherapy case and commentary involving a Saudi-based American male-to-female transperson and a San Francisco therapist. The article concludes with specific content for a recommendation for the inclusion of etherapy (but not online evaluation and referral) in the next revision of the SOC.

KEYWORDS:

• Etherapy
• e-therapy
• Internet therapy
• online counseling
• online therapy
• psychotherapy
• Web-based therapy
• telehealth
• transgender

Lin Fraser, EdD, is a practicing psychotherapist in San Francisco, California. She has specialized in transgender issues for the past 33 years, primarily in private practice, but also in community mental health and in teaching. Dr. Fraser is President-Elect of theWorld Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) and is certified as a distance (Internet) counselor. More information is available at http://linfraser.com.