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Section 5
AAMFT Technology-Assisted Professional Services

Question 5 | Test | Table of Contents
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Social Workers, Couneslors, MFT's, and Psychologists

American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists AAMFT
STANDARD VI
TECHNOLOGY-ASSISTED PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Therapy, supervision, and other professional services engaged in by marriage and family therapists take place over an increasing number of technological platforms. There are great benefits and responsibilities inherent in both the traditional therapeutic and supervision contexts, as well as in the utilization of technologically-assisted professional services. This standard addresses basic ethical requirements of offering therapy, supervision, and related professional services using electronic means.

6.1 Technology Assisted Services.
Prior to commencing therapy or supervision services through electronic means (including but not limited to phone and Internet), marriage and family therapists ensure that they are compliant with all relevant laws for the delivery of such services. Additionally, marriage and family therapists must: (a) determine that technologically-assisted services or supervision are appropriate for clients or supervisees, considering professional, intellectual, emotional, and physical needs; (b) inform clients or supervisees of the potential risks and benefits associated with technologically-assisted services; (c) ensure the security of their communication medium; and (d) only commence electronic therapy or supervision after appropriate education, training, or supervised experience using the relevant technology.

6.2 Consent to Treat or Supervise.
Clients and supervisees, whether contracting for services as individuals, dyads, families, or groups, must be made aware of the risks and responsibilities associated with technology-assisted services. Therapists are to advise clients and supervisees in writing of these risks, and of both the therapist’s and clients’/supervisees' responsibilities for minimizing such risks.

6.3 Confidentiality and Professional Responsibilities.
It is the therapist’s or supervisor’s responsibility to choose technological platforms that adhere to standards of best practices related to confidentiality and quality of services, and that meet applicable laws. Clients and supervisees are to be made aware in writing of the limitations and protections offered by the therapist’s or supervisor’s technology.

6.4 Technology and Documentation.
Therapists and supervisors are to ensure that all documentation containing identifying or otherwise sensitive information which is electronically stored and/or transferred is done using technology that adhere to standards of best practices related to confidentiality and quality of services, and that meet applicable laws. Clients and supervisees are to be made aware in writing of the limitations and protections offered by the therapist’s or supervisor’s technology.

6.5 Location of Services and Practice.
Therapists and supervisors follow all applicable laws regarding location of practice and services, and do not use technologically-assisted means for practicing outside of their allowed jurisdictions.

6.6 Training and Use of Current Technology.
Marriage and family therapists ensure that they are well trained and competent in the use of all chosen technology-assisted professional services. Careful choices of audio, video, and other options are made in order to optimize quality and security of services, and to adhere to standards of best practices for technology-assisted services. Furthermore, such choices of technology are to be suitably advanced and current so as to best serve the professional needs of clients and supervisees.

- American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists AAMFT 2015 Code of Ethics: https://www.aamft.org/Legal_Ethics/Code_of_Ethics.aspx

Update
Technology-Assisted Peer Therapy:
A New Way of Delivering Evidence-Based
Psychological Interventions

- Atif, N., Nazir, H., Sultan, Z. H., Rauf, R., Waqas, A., Malik, A., Sikander, S., & Rahman, A. (2022). Technology-assisted peer therapy: a new way of delivering evidence-based psychological interventions. BMC health services research, 22(1), 842.

Peer-Reviewed Journal Article References:
Barnett, J. E. (2019). The ethical practice of psychotherapy: Clearly within our reach. Psychotherapy, 56(4), 431–440.

Pinner, D. H., & Kivlighan, D. M. III. (2018). The ethical implications and utility of routine outcome monitoring in determining boundaries of competence in practice. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 49(4), 247–254.

Polychronis, P. D. (2020). Integrated care, shared electronic records, and the psychology profession: A cautionary tale for counseling centers. Journal of College Student Psychotherapy, 34(1), 1–23.

QUESTION 5
What is the responsibility of the therapist or supervisor regarding TMH Confidentiality? To select and enter your answer go to Test.


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