E-Therapy: Ethics & Best Practices
$39.00
Intermediate
Online
Course Abstract
E-Therapy: Ethics & Best Practices is a 3-hour online continuing education (CE) course that examines the advantages, risks, technical issues, legalities, and ethics of providing therapy online.
E-therapy can be used to address age-old problems, such as how to reach out to those who might not otherwise avail themselves of psychotherapy services even though they are in acute need. At the same time, it is clear that many providers have embraced the new technologies without a firm grasp on the new and serious vulnerabilities that are introduced when their patients’ personal health information goes online. Included in this course are sections on video therapy, email, text messaging, smart phone use, social media, cloud storage, Skype, and other telecommunications services.
This course is focused upon the ethical principles that are called into play with the use of e-therapy. Among them the most obvious concern is for privacy and confidentiality. Yet these are not the only ethical principles that will be challenged by the increasing use of e-therapy. The others include interjurisdictional issues (crossing state lines), informed consent, competence and scope of practice, boundaries and multiple relationships, and record keeping.
In addition to outlining potential ethical problems and HIPAA challenges, this course includes recommended resources and sets of specific guidelines and best practices that have been established and published by various professional organizations.
Course #31-19 | 2019 | 60 pages | 20 posttest questions
Learning Objectives
- List three benefits and risks surrounding the use of e-therapy
- Identify patients and procedures that may be appropriate or inappropriate for e-therapy
- Describe how to handle the ethical and legal issues raised in the practice of e-therapy
- List five issues that need to be addressed in preparation of practicing e-therapy
- Identify two technical issues associated with e-therapy and how to minimize them
- Explain best practices for assuring client privacy and HIPAA compliance in the use of e-therapy
Course Directions
This online course provides instant access to the course materials (PDF download) and CE test. The course is text-based (reading) and the CE test is open-book (you can print the test to mark your answers on it while reading the course document).
Successful completion of this course involves passing an online test (80% required, 3 chances to take) and we ask that you also complete a brief course evaluation.
About the Author(s)
CE Information
Counseling
Professional Development Resources (PDR) has been approved by the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 5590. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. PDR is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.
Professional Development Resources is CE Broker compliant (#50-1635 - all courses are reported within two business days of completion). Professional Development Resources, Inc. is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors (#MHC-0135 - Note: New York counselors will receive 3 continuing education credits for completing this self-study course).
Marriage and Family Therapy
Professional Development Resources is approved by the American Psychological Association (APA) to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Professional Development Resources maintains responsibility for this program and its content. Professional Development Resources is also approved by the National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC ACEP #5590); the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB #1046, ACE Program); the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed marriage and family therapists (#MFT-0100 - Note: New York MFTs will receive 3 continuing education credit(s) for completing this self-study course); the Texas Board of Examiners of Marriage and Family Therapists (#114); and is CE Broker compliant (#50-1635 - all courses are reported within two business days of completion).
Nutrition and Dietetics
Professional Development Resources is a CPE Accredited Provider with the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR #PR001). CPE accreditation does not constitute endorsement by CDR of provider programs or materials. Feedback for this activity can be sent directly to CDR. Professional Development Resources is also a provider with the Florida Council of Dietetics and Nutrition (#50-1635) and is CE Broker compliant (all courses are reported within a few days of completion).
Psychology
Professional Development Resources is approved by the American Psychological Association (APA) to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Professional Development Resources maintains responsibility for this program and its content.
Professional Development Resources is CE Broker compliant (#50-1635 - all courses are reported within two business days of completion). Professional Development Resources, Inc. is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed psychologists (#PSY-0145).
School Psychology
Professional Development Resources is approved by the American Psychological Association (APA) to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Professional Development Resources maintains responsibility for this program and its content.
Professional Development Resources is CE Broker compliant (#50-1635 - all courses are reported within two business days of completion). Professional Development Resources, Inc. is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed psychologists (#PSY-0145).
Social Work
Professional Development Resources, #1046, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 6/12/2022 - 6/12/2025. Social workers completing this course receive 3 ethics continuing education credits.
Professional Development Resources is CE Broker compliant (#50-1635 - all courses are reported within two business days of completion). Professional Development Resources, Inc. is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers (#SW-0664 - Note: New York social workers will receive 3 continuing education credit(s) for completing this self-study course). Professional Development Resources is also approved by the Texas State Board of Social Worker Examiners (#5678).
Teaching
Professional Development Resources is approved to sponsor continuing education by the American Psychological Association (APA); the National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC ACEP #5590); the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB Provider #1046, ACE Program); the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA Provider #3159); the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR Provider #PR001); the Alabama State Board of Occupational Therapy; the Florida Boards of Social Work, Mental Health Counseling and Marriage and Family Therapy (#BAP346), Psychology & School Psychology (#50-1635), Dietetics & Nutrition (#50-1635), and Occupational Therapy Practice (#34); the Georgia State Board of Occupational Therapy; the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors (#MHC-0135); the Ohio Counselor, Social Worker & MFT Board (#RCST100501); the South Carolina Board of Professional Counselors & MFTs (#193); the Texas Board of Examiners of Marriage & Family Therapists (#114) and State Board of Social Worker Examiners (#5678); and is CE Broker compliant (all courses are reported within a few days of completion).
Customer Testimonials
Very good course. I learned a lot for practice and graduate teaching. Test well constructed and followed the course content linearly.
I liked that the questions were not based on statistics. Honestly, the course let me know that I do not want to do e-therapy. Too many privacy issues. I do text clients about appointments and that is about it.
Excellent introduction to topics in E-therapy.
I understand that this form of therapy is evolving. This course appears to have addressed that which is currently available in practice nicely.
Excellent course!! Especially in these times! Thank you!
More Testimonials
Great suggestions and content!
So glad this training was available, due to the coronavirus crisis.
Very useful, especially with the current crisis. A good, quick beginning to using tele-therapy.
I enjoyed the content of this course especially now during the coronavirus crisis.I have more ethical information and confidence in the usage of technology with clients.
As always - I benefit from the courses taken and I continue to recommend your site to others.
Thank you so much for offering this - especially at this time!
Very informative and practical.
Very helpful and meaningful given current dependence on technology.
Very well laid out program and content information was very applicable to these times during COVID 19.
Great intro course. I would have liked to have seen an example of what to say to cover all the bases when introducing e-therapy to a potential client.
I did learn a great deal. Any gray areas may be due to my lack of experience in technology but I did take notes and have several ideas I plan to follow up on to improve confidentiality and other issues. Thank you!
The course was very informative and easy to follow.
A wonderfully relevant course, in this time of COVID-19. Thank you very much. if you could just update with a section or two on using Zoom, it would be spectacular.
Excellent course! Exactly the information I was looking for so I can begin to establish a solid ethical base when providing e-therapy.
The devil is in the details and there are lots of details to consider with e-therapy. I was aware of many but the details of cloud storage, encryption, etc are not things I think about as much as patient care. As a result of this course I'll upgrade some of my practices and be much more aware of mitigating any possible risks. Thank you.
I appreciated all the resources that were listed.
Excellent Course. Very relevant and extremely helpful. Thanks.
Great course! Very relevant right now with COVID!
Great resources at the end!
A great course with a lot of information. It would be great to have a Part II for further study; particularly given today's complexities.
Very helpful course. I didn't realize when I purchased this course the significance it would have in therapy practices. I do see, as well as I am sure the author, where it can be updated to address the affect COVID-19 has had on E-Therapy and the use of Zoom. Thank you!
I have found this course to be current, engaging, and informative.
This course was truly an eye-opener with respect to conducting E-therapy.
Great course, learned a lot. Information presented in a very effective format and style.
I was pleased with the depth of coverage of this course. It is timely and relevant.
It was very thorough and timely to do this course as I am embarking on the new territory of e-therapy. Thank you!
Brilliant course, plenty of research to back up information provided. Allowed me an opportunity to think through current practices.
Thank you! The course materials will serve as a guide to assist me in making the e-therapy realm of my practice much more secure and effective, both for me and my clients!
Great course, especially given the current pandemic and the need for e-therapy.
Out of all of the CEU classes I took, this was by far the best and most relevant! I am grateful that you included text and email communication in your discussion. Excellent offering.
Thank you for directly linking me with forms/other sites that can help with specific issues.
I was impressed with how comprehensive the content was and loved the access to helpful resources regarding this complicated topic.
Great course, especially because of the changes required to help with social distancing and public health during the pandemic. As a Canadian learner, I will need to check on relevant laws and guidelines for my country and province but overall a very helpful course.
Excellent course and highly relevant.
This was a very thorough course. I always appreciate your organization. Thank you.
The customer service responses to my contacts were prompt and helpful.
Comprehensive material presented clearly and concisely. I would take other courses presented by this individual.
Very relevant course during the COVID 19 Pandemic.
Having been involved with telehealth now for nearly a year, I actually hope it becomes an alternative for most clients. It is always an issue with clients about their confidentiality and why we cannot engage in some forms of E-therapy. This course answered some of those questions so that I can more intelligently talk to clients about these issues.
This course is a very timely addition to my practice as I am often asked to provide telemental health services due to COVID-19 quarantining.
This course is especially relevant in the midst of a pandemic that has pretty much curtailed face-to-face therapy.
Great course! When the pandemic hit, there was a huge movement almost overnight to Zoom practice but I would bet that there was little or no preparation such as this course offers. I would strongly recommend it to all my colleagues. Thank you!
I FOUND THIS VERY INTERESTING BESIDES BEING ESSENTIAL FOR THE CURRENT SITUATION DUE TO COVID 19, AND SINCE WE ARE ALL USING TELETHERAPY INSTEAD OF FACE TO FACE IN AN OFFICE. THANKS SO MUCH.
The author, Dr. Leo Christie, for me, has an engaging writing style that invites me into a learning space in which I'm part of a group of like-minded therapists. To me, he drew me into an atmosphere of professional-professional, instead of professor/student. I appreciated that a lot.
The course gave me valuable information to guide me in deciding to enter E-Therapy or not.
Thank you. Very helpful; very applicable. Heightened my awareness about several important issues.
The course has much more relevant information now than it did when I took it several years ago.The resources are plentiful and professional. I look forward to checking what they have to offer me. Thank you again, PDR.
I had a two day training on telepsychology with Marlene Maheu and this information was very consistent with what she taught and was a good refresher on information she taught. Thank you.
A very comprehensive review of issues!
An excellent course. Very comprehensive and excellent presentation of the material.
Good course on teletherapy ethics
I learned so much in this course. It was presented well, easy to follow, and addressed all of my questions. I will recommend this course to my colleagues.
I learned a lot from this course and will continue to come back to it as it had a great deal of applicable information and attachments. Thank you!
This course was exactly as I hoped it would be. It opened my awareness to risks and the work I need to do to prepare.
This course is totally worth taking. It is detailed, relevant to therapy, and well-written. Very good experience. Thank you!
The resources were very helpful.
This was a very good course. I will share important tips with coworkers. Very helpful information.
Thank you for the information and suggestions. I am hesitant to use e-therapy because it is all so new to me, but after completing this course I feel better prepared if the opportunity arises.
Another great course. Well-written, interesting, relevant, and with that review-style test that helps me learn better. Thanks.
Strong course. Good mixture of theory and practice, with multiple resources provided. Learned more than I thought I would. The only recommendation that I would make is to update the course with a discussion of the impact of COVID-19.
Very helpful and informative. Presented several issues and recommendations that I haven't thought about before.
Very good explanations and up-to-date with current issues and technology. Thanks.
This was an excellent course. It was very thorough, well-written, and easy to understand. This course presented the material in sufficient detail and depth. I learned a lot.
Well formatted and a good flow of information. Relevant examples. Appreciate the direct citations from APA and other accreditation boards.
Really good information and appreciate all the resources!
I really appreciate how easy the website and course documents are to navigate and scroll through.
Oh My Gosh! This CEU offers more than the title states. E-therapy is a knew frontier for me. I plan to tread lightly.
Well organized and detailed content
Thorough overview of interesting and complex area of practice. Thank you!
A lot of useful and pertinent information was provided. Good course for every therapist to take that conducts e-therapy.
Timely! Very helpful and useful.
Very informative and enjoyable course.
This was a very good course. I will share important tips with coworkers. Very helpful information.
Clearly presented and very informative. :)
This was a very user friendly approach to training. I appreciated it.
Nice job. Good overview with practical suggestions, especially on the technical end. Lots of good resources offered.
This was a great course. I appreciate the professionalism and also the design of the website.
I thought this was done very well. It was well written and presented the information in a useful way. Much better than many similar format classes I have taken.
I love that the course was based on reading. It is easier for me to digest than video format.
Thank you for the opportunity to enhance my understanding and practice of teletherapy. I greatly enjoyed the experience. I will be a returning customer!
As I have to take a telehealth course each year, this course actually had more new information than I expected and have expereinced in previous years. I am glad I never connected my business laptop to the icloud. I appreciated the technical information, and I learned new ways to protect security.
