Online Therapy: A Growing Form of Telehealth - Essay Sample

Introduction

The article defines online therapy as a form of telehealth that has recently grown within the medical and mental health discipline due to technological advancement, pressure to give accessible, affordable and efficient health care (Hertlein, Et.al, 2015). The therapy is designed to apply technological devices such as phones and computers to ease communication between the therapist and the clients. Use of this form of therapy is advantageous to rural residents who will easily access counselling centres. The technology could simplify therapeutic practices by allowing possible appointment and schedule changes.

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However, the use of technology in conveying information in the medical discipline has raised ethical concerns. These include; Licensing and liability concerns, confidentiality, training and education, and risky clinical situations and crises (Hertlein, Et.al, 2015). The information shared between a client, and a therapist can be characterized as sensitive, since it could contain confidential emotional and physical experiences, hence raises the issue of confidentiality. The telehealth technology utilizes both the visual and audio aspect to carry information, which is stored in these devices (Hertlein, Et.al, 2015). The information stored could later be accessed by a third party without the consent of the latter parties, especially if the devices used are not password protected. Lack of know-how about technology can is a disadvantage for online therapy. Other perceived disadvantages include; challenge to maintain and manage clients privacy, therapist-client relationship crisis and complexity to verify the clients' motives and identity.

Issues such as clients' privacy can be handled by use of encryptions, passwords, firewalls, and limiting information on portable devices. The process of client identification can also be established to verify clients' identity. Procedures that require personal data such as legal status and age can be used to verify the authenticity of the client. Video conferencing could also apply in this case. Despite the various benefit of online therapy, a given percentage of therapists do not utilize the technology. Research reveals that the cognitive behavioural psychologist mostly utilizes online therapy. Even with the emergence of technology, the frequency of accessibility affects the use of online therapy. Education and training could play a critical role in promoting online therapy practices.

The knowledge derived from the articles includes boundary related concerns that impact the therapeutic relationship. The diverse use of technology could result in therapeutic relationship crisis, which raises other ethical concerns about the nature of the relationship between a client and a therapist (Hertlein, Et.al, 2015). Arguably, both social network interaction and online therapy interaction are professional or vice versa, which could complicate issues. Boundaries must be maintained to maintain a healthy and professional relationship. Clients who maintain boundaries are more likely to benefit from sessions. Setting boundaries generates respect and the optimum power imbalance that grants the therapist control. When the boundary between the client and the therapist is blurred; clients tend to skip sessions at will, frequent cancellation and change of schedules, which could otherwise disappoint either party.

Online therapy has significant importance in the medical faculty. These include; consultation, supervision, and intervention (Hertlein, Et.al, 2015). Patients from different parts of the world can order medical services. Consultation with specialists can also be done online and hence safe time that could have been spent on long queues. Online therapy has given way to a digital and more accessible mode of interaction which is manageable and easy to maintain. The method is more effective because specialists can communicate and provide immediate feedback to their clients. Those experiencing a potential crisis such as self-injurious behaviours can be hard to monitor (Hertlein, Et.al, 2015). Through online therapy, the therapist cannot be reliable to offer immediate intervention. For instance, a client may admit that he intended to commit suicide. In such a scenario, the therapist out of control and hence, unable to help the client. The therapist is, therefore required to develop informed consent and engagement in online practices such as predominantly structured interventions.

Technological advancement has led to internet accessibility from all parts of the world. Therefore, internet users can access online therapy from different geographical locations; however, the therapist accessed could be limited to offer therapy within certain jurisdictions hence denying the client the services. It raises an ethical concern on who to blame in such a case.

Apart from the clients' inability to use the technology to access medical services, the therapist may lack adequate training and education required to offer online therapeutic services (Hertlein, Et.al, 2015). The training involves being knowledgeable about the proper use of professional pages; social media sites and privacy practices to ensure confidentiality

I agree with the author verdict that it is essential to prioritize clients' confidentiality. Psychologists' obligation is to take clients privacy seriously since confidentiality is a central fragment in the psychology code of ethics. Clients may feel so insecure to use online therapy, especially when the therapist computer is not personalized. Unlike traditional therapy, the information was undoubtedly safe since no recording took place. Therefore there was no potential breach of confidentiality. Additionally, online therapists should set realistic goals to ensure that online therapy turns out successful. Easier accessibility to therapy sessions could increase the number of clients. Therefore, it is likely that therapists could schedule an unrealistic number of appointments to serve more clients hence reduction in the quality of the service. Setting realistic goals could ensure commitment and help to prepare for possible limitations.

However, I disagree with the author idea that students are more likely to agree to ethical guidelines from other disciplines in making ethical decisions in web technology as compared to professionals. Ideally, the tendency to agree or disagree on ethical guidelines depends on the knowledgeability about web technology. Most probably, the author presumes students to have more knowledge about web technology than professionals which is not necessarily true.

The information presented by the author could form a basis for more research. The authors did not expound on ethical implications due to the diversity of telehealth, which allows more and advanced research. The information could also help to create awareness to sensitize the global population on the importance of technology and the need to learn how its applicability to societal gain. The information could analyze the contributions and the advantages of technology to evolution in how people access psychotherapy.

Psychologists practically use online therapy technology to offer telepsychology services through web therapy or online therapy. Online therapy is typically less than face to face therapy and offers different payment methods. In the recent past, medical firms are advocating for online therapy due to dependability. A client can get a daily response from the therapist at a specific time. Security has also been advanced by regular security auditing and encrypting of client communication. Therapists and other medical practitioners adhere strictly to professional and ethical confidentiality.

Reference

Hertlein, K. M., Blumer, M. L., & Mihaloliakos, J. H. (2015). Marriage and family counselors' perceived ethical issues related to online therapy. The Family Journal, 23(1), 5-12.