Characteristics of E-therapy Websites Involving Marriage and Family Therapists

ABSTRACT

This study described some of the common ethical and legal issues that mental health professionals practicing over the Internet or phone may encounter. It also explored how 83 e-therapy websites involving marriage and family therapists characterize their services. Results indicated that a majority of the websites lack information regarding crisis resources, terms of service, procedures for treatment of minors, and procedures for provision of therapy across borders. Further findings indicated that practitioners may have not properly considered the global nature of the Internet and its risks. Therapists are urged to give attention to e-therapy limitations, as well as ethical and legal problems, before attempting distance treatment.

Notes

¹ Mental health interventions provided through distance means of communication have accrued several different labels, such as online therapy, electronic therapy, e-therapy, cyber counseling, telehealth, telemental health, and so forth. We use the term e-therapy to describe these services, or, in other words, to describe interventions provided by mental health professionals that are occurring online or over the phone.