Electronic Practice

Standard 3.4: Electronic Practice

The Professional Practice Standards regarding electronic practice. This includes the seven standards, examples in demonstrating the standard, definitions, and related resources.

Electronic Practice

Standard 3.4: Electronic Practice

The Professional Practice Standards regarding electronic practice. This includes the seven standards, examples in demonstrating the standard, definitions, and related resources.

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The Standard

 

3.4.1 Registrants adhere to all professional standards whether their practice is electronic, telephonic, in person, or a hybrid thereof.

 

3.4.2 Registrants obtain informed consent from clients regarding the use of electronic communication media in the provision of services.

 

3.4.3 Registrants take reasonable steps to ensure that the technology employed is secure, confidential, and appropriate given the needs of the client.

 

3.4.4 Registrants ensure that their professional liability insurance provides sufficient coverage for electronic services prior to treating clients.

 

3.4.5 Registrants comply with relevant professional licensing requirements in the jurisdictions where clients are located.

 

3.4.6 Registrants offering modalities requiring written communication (secure text or email based) include copies of correspondence and treatment-related communication in the clinical record.

 

3.4.7 Registrants do not rely on information obtained from computer-generated assessments, reports, or statements without exercising their own professional judgment.

Standard 3.4

Demonstrating the Standard

  • Standard 3.4

    A registrant demonstrates meeting the standard, for example, by:

     

    • Ensuring that clients provide consent to receiving professional services via a specific electronic communication technology.
    • Working with clients to establish “back-up plans” in the case of a technological failure mid-session.
    • Providing therapy while physically located in a private and professional setting.
  • Standard 3.4

    A registrant demonstrates meeting the standard, for example, by:

     

    • Ensuring clients understand what safety and privacy protections have been put in place and how they differ from those in an in-person practice.
    • Familiarizing oneself with crisis intervention services in the client’s area in case of an emergency.
    • Ensuring that clients understand any potential risks associated with the technology.
  • Standard 3.4

    A registrant demonstrates meeting the standard, for example, by:

     

    • Taking reasonable steps to ensure that the technology is secure, confidential, and appropriate.
    • Refraining from using social media (including, but not limited to Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram) as a platform for providing therapy.

Key Definitions

  • Key Definitions

    Electronic practice

    Providing assessment or treatment to a client by means of communications technology, e.g., telephone, text, email, video-calling.

Standard 3.4

Commentary

Technology provides various ways of communicating with clients and may enable registrants to work with clients who have limited mobility, who live in isolated areas, or to continue providing therapy during public health emergencies. It also poses new challenges.

 

Generally, rules that apply to the provision of professional services also apply to the provision of services by electronic means. For example, registrants must follow established professional practices, such as assessment, developing a plan of therapy, maintaining records, and communicating appropriately with other providers.

 

Confidentiality must be maintained no matter what medium is used.

A registrant may provide professional services using electronic communication technology only when the registrant receives consent from the client for use of such technology. In addition:

 

  • Before providing services via electronic communication technologies, a registrant enters into an agreement with the client concerned. This does not preclude using electronic communication technologies in developing the agreement.
  • Registrants should outline appropriate uses of technologies with clients (e.g., emailing or texting only for booking appointments, secure online platforms for the provision of therapy).
  • Registrants do not provide psychotherapy to anonymous clients.
  • Registrants should employ caution in providing advice, clinical assessment, or clinical information accessible to the general public on websites, blogs, forums, or other communication platforms.

 

Registrants must take reasonable steps to ensure that the electronic communication technology employed is secure, confidential, and appropriate in the circumstances. When a registrant intends to use an electronic medium, clients should be made aware of any potential risks, particularly an inability to ensure security and confidentiality that could arise from the use of the technology.

 

Additional information about information security in electronic practice can be found in the Security Practices Checklist: Electronic Practice below.

Registrants must ensure that services provided through electronic communication technologies are covered by their professional liability insurance. Insurance coverage varies and may not cover all clients or clients in all locations. Registrants should consult their insurance provider.

One unique aspect of electronic practice is the potential for clients to be located in a different province, territory, or country than the registrant. Some jurisdictions require those practising psychotherapy or counseling to have a license. Some may have a restricted title or activity (similar to the controlled act of psychotherapy in Ontario). Some jurisdictions do not regulate psychotherapy or counseling. Registrants should familiarize themselves with the limits on practising in particular jurisdictions where potential clients may be located.

 

In emergencies, registrants may need to know who to contact in other jurisdictions, e.g., client’s emergency contact, emergency services, crisis lines, child welfare agencies.

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