E-Therapy: Ethical Considerations of a Changing Healthcare Communication Environment

This paper outlines the current ethical guidelines for electronic therapy services, and the sufficiency and implications of these guidelines in a culturally diverse population as found in the United States. The paper limits the discussion of ethical deliberations to: what is considered adequate competency to practice mental health therapy electronically; the disclosure and identity verification requirements; confidentiality issues when different social norms exist; the social responsibility of public institutions or individuals; and issues that relate to miscommunication due to different cultural or educational backgrounds. It concludes that since E-Therapy helps to reach underserved populations and significantly reduces costs associated with mental health services, compliance with ethical guidelines must be enforced to benefit from the latest communication technologies. This paper is relevant for various professions related to psychology and psychotherapy, including pastors and pastoral counselors, because various forms of E-therapy are emerging in the 21st century and can serve as resources for “E-pastoral counseling.”