Technology use in mental health practice and research: Legal and ethical risks.

Abstract

Mental health professionals are tasked with upholding guidelines, principles, and standards set forth by professional organizations and local jurisdictions. Simultaneously, providers are increasingly expected to utilize technology with research participants and patients in psychotherapy and to communicate with other professionals. Digital methods such as text messaging, data storage, record keeping, and videoconferencing have all moved the boundaries of professional work beyond physical office spaces. This synergy between mental healthcare delivery and technology use has empowered providers to think beyond traditional models of care and reach populations who otherwise might not be able to receive services. However, the development and understanding of ethical and legal concern have been hampered by few training opportunities and the absence of competency standards. This article provides specific areas of risk, example scenarios where technology is used, and recommendations for providers to consider.

Do you see what we see? Psychology's response to technology in mental health.

“…The consultation or supervision for practice in telepsychology would typically include ensuring clinical competence via telecommunication as different from in-person services and ensuring competence in security for transmission and storage of data. Lustgarten and Elhai (2018) correctly note the absence of formal education for telepsychology. The day may well come when psychologists cannot practice without telepsychology.…”

“…The lead article notes that formal training is not required by the Standards of Accreditation for Health Service Psychology (APA, ) and is not informally taught in psychology graduate programs. Lustgarten and Elhai () are unequivocally correct on the first point; we are equivocal on their second point as virtually no research has been conducted on informal training practices.…”

“…Lustgarten and Elhai () correctly note the absence of formal education for telepsychology. The day may well come when psychologists cannot practice without telepsychology.…”

“…Lustgarten and Elhai () raise important aspects of competence and how knowledge and skills are impacted by the introduction of telepractice. We believe that competence expands in telepsychology into four variations:…”

Integrating technological advances into clinical training and practice: The future is now!

“…This will help prevent problems such as the potential for a negative impact on the treatment relationship if you ignore or deny clients' friend requests and other social media participation requests. Lustgarten and Elhai (2018) do an outstanding job of introducing readers to the many benefits and challenges associated with telepsychology and technology-infused practice. They correctly alert us to the need for our profession to catch up with the rapidly changing online world in which we each live and function.…”