Ethics:

From Aristotle to Generation Z

Steve Franklin, MSW, LCSW

www.SteveFranklinMSW.com

Aristotle: Ethics
'Chief Good' is,
'that which all things aim at,...
The knowledge of it
must have great weight;
and like archers, with a mark in view,
we shall be more likely
to hit upon what is right.

values
determine what is
right and what is wrong, and
Doing what is right or wrong
is what we mean by
ethics

to behave ethically is
to behave in a manner that is
consistent with what is generally considered
to be right or moral

Ethical behavior
is the bedrock of mutual trust

to behave ethically is
to behave in a manner that is
consistent with what is generally considered
to be right or moral

Ethical behavior
is the bedrock of mutual trust

(National Defense University

for U.S. Army )

Values
are the rules by which we
make decisions about
right and wrong, should and shouldn't, good
and bad.
They also tell us which are
more or less important,
which is useful when
we have to trade off
meeting one value over another.

Ethical Dilemmas
allfreeessays.com

A Summary Of
Forester-Miller, H., & Davis, T.E.

(1995).

A PractitionerS Guide
To Ethical Decision Making.
Alexandria, Va: American Counseling Association

Ethical Dilemmas
(1) identify the problem;
(2) apply your Code of Ethics;
(3) determine the nature and dimensions of the
dilemma;
(4) generate potential courses of action;
(5) consider the potential consequences of all
optionsthen determine a course of action;
(6) evaluate the selected course of action;
(Three Tests)
(7) implement this action.

Ethical Dilemmas
(1) identify the problem
gather data;
be specific and objective:
ethical?
Legal?
Clinical?

Ethical Dilemmas

(2) apply your Code of Ethics

Ethical Dilemmas
(3) determine the nature and
dimensions of the dilemma;
conflicting values?
Legal, ethical or moral obligations?
What principles apply?
What is your bias
(what answer are you hoping for)?

Ethical Dilemmas
(4) generate potential courses of action;
brainstorm
consult
survey

Ethical Dilemmas
(5) consider the potential consequences
of all options and
then determine a course of action

Ethical Dilemmas
(6) evaluate the selected course of action;
Stadler (1986): Three tests
Test of Justice:
would you treat others the same in this situation

Test of Publicity:
would want your behavior reported in the press.

Test of Universality:
would you recommend same course of action
to another counselor in the same situation

Ethical Dilemmas
(Return to step 1
if solutions arent satisfactory)
(7) implement this action.
Document!

Media of communication
and data storage

Competency to practice

Protection of client privacy

Vocal/person-to-person
Human brain expanded to
accommodate gossip.
Eavesdropping (non-electronic)
Information can be shared.
Information can misremembered,
misrepresented, lied about, forgotten

Stone Tablets

Long-lasting
Hard to shred
Hard to redact
But at least its set in stone

Paper

Mail: Where is it delivered?

Where is it picked up?
Shredding
Are files secure?
Can be copied.
Copies may fade over time
May be illegible

Fax
Invented around 1850

Who else might see a fax you receive

Who else might see a fax you send?

Do you have the right number?

No encryption involved with FAX;

hard wired transmission;

some consider it more secure.

Use partial SS#/ID when practical

Efax-type (fax server)

Phone
Land line
Susceptible to being tapped

Call clients from home?

Voice mail

Extension line

*67/callbacks

Cellular Phone
Password protected?
Would a family member ever pick up
see text messages/caller ID?
Can be intercepted
Voice Mail

Text Messaging
Evolving Etiquette, style
Rules elucidated
because they are broken!

 Dont text while in a face-to-face

conversation
SMS shouldn't be used for formal
communications, such as breaking up
Dont jump to conclusions or get
offended if you dont get a reply.
Be aware of your tone. (You will be
misconstrued.)
Don't SMS while you're driving.

Leave the slang to the kids.

Remember that SMS can be traced.
Be conscientious of others' schedules.
If it's immediate, make a voice call.
Remember that your phone does have an
off button.
+
Make sure you have the right address!
DONT WRITE IN ALL CAPITALS

Abbreviations
A3Anytime, anywhere, anyplace
AAFAs a matter of fact
AAKAsleep at keyboard
AAMOIAs a matter of interest
AAPAlways a pleasure
AARAt any rate
AASAlive and smiling
ACKAcknowledge
ADDAddress
ADNAny day now
ADRAddress
AEAPAs early as possible

AFAIKAs far as I know

AFKAway from keyboard
AFPOEA fresh pair of eyes
AIGHTAlright
AISBAs it should be
AKAAlso known as
ALCONAll concerned
AMLAll my love
AOTAAll of the above
ASAPAs soon as possible
A/S/LAge/sex/location
ASLAge/sex/location
ATAt your terminal
ATMAt the moment
AWOLAway without leaving
AYECAt your earliest convenience
AYORAt your own risk
AYSOSAre you stupid or something
AYTMTBAnd you're telling me this because
B/FBoyfriend
B4Before
B4N Bye for now
BAKBack at keyboard
BAUBusiness as usual
BBBe back
BBIAFBe back in a few
BBIAMBe back in a minute
BBIASBe back in a sec
BBLBe back later
BBQBe back quickly
BBSBe back soon
BBTBe back tomorrow
BCBecause
BCNUBe seein' you
BCOSBecause
BFBest friend

BDNBig damn number

BFNBye for now
BGBig grin
BGWMBe gentle with me
BFGBig f***ing grin
BIOYNBlow it out your nose
BLNTBetter luck next time
BM&YBetween me and you
BOLBest of luck
BPLMBig person little mind
BRBBe right back
BRTBe right there
BTABut then again
BTDTBeen there, done that
BTWBy the way
CMIIWCorrect me if I'm wrong
CMONCome on
COBClose of business
COSBecause
C/PCross post
CR8Create
CRBCome right back
CRBTCrying really big tears
CUSee you
CUASee you around
CULSee you later
CUL8RSee you later
CWYLChat with you later
CYASee ya
CYOSee you online
D/LDownload
DLDownload
DEGTDon't even go there
DIKUDo I know you?
DQMOTDon't quote me on this
DTSDon't think so
DV8Deviate
EBKACError between keyboard and chair
EF4TEffort
EGEvil grin
EMAE-mail address
EMFBIExcuse me for butting in
EMSGE-mail message
ENUFEnough
EODEnd of day
EOMEnd of message
EVAEver
EZYEasy
F2FFace to face
F2TFree to talk
FBMFine by me
FCFingers crossed
FICCLFrankly I couldn't care a less
FISHFirst in, still here
FOMCLFalling off my chair laughing
FITBFill in the blank

FRTFor real though

FWIWFor what it's worth
FYEOFor your eyes only
FYIFor your information
GGrin
G/FGirlfriend
G2CU Good to see you
G2G Got to go
G2R Got to run
G9Genius
GA Go ahead
GALGet a life
GB Goodbye
GBUGod bless you
GDRGrinning, ducking, and running
GD/RGrinning, ducking, and running
GFIGo for it
GG Gotta Go or Good Game
GIARGive it a rest
GIGOGarbage in, garbage out
GLGood luck
GL/HFGood luck, have fun
GLNGGood luck next game
GMTAGreat minds think alike
GOIGet over it
GOLGiggling out loud
GR8Great
GR&DGrinning, running and ducking
GTGood try
GTGGot to go
GTRMGoing to read mail
H&KHugs & kisses
H2CUSHope to see you soon
H8Hate
HAGNHave a good night
HAGOHave a good one
HANDHave a nice day
HFHave fun
HHISHead hanging in shame
HOASHold on a second
HRUHow are you?
HTHHope this helps
HVHave
IACIn any case
IANALI am not a lawyer
IBI'm back
ICI see
ICBWIt could be worse
IDKI don't know
IDTSI don't think so
IDUNNOI don't know
IG2R I got to run
IIRCIf I remember correctly
ILBL8I'll be late

ILUI love you

ILYI love you
IMInstant message
IMHOIn my humble opinion
IMNSHOIn my not so humble opinion
IMOIn my opinion
IMSI am sorry
INALI'm not a lawyer
IOWIn other words
IRLIn real life
IRMCI rest my case
IUSSIf you say so
IYKWIMIf you know what I mean
IYOIn your opinion
IYSSIf you say so
J00RYour
JACJust a sec
JICJust in case
JJA Just joking around
JKJust kidding
JMOJust my opinion
JPJust playing
K8TKatie
k/bKeyboard
KBKeyboard
KISSKeep it simple, stupid
KITKeep in touch
KOCKiss on cheek
KOTCKiss on the cheek
KOTLKiss on the lips
KNIMKnow what I mean?
l33tLeet, meaning "elite"
L8RLater
LDLater, dude / Long distance
LERKLeaving easy reach of keyboard
LMAOLaughing my a** off
LOLLaughing out loud
LTMLaugh to myself
LTNSLong time no see
LYLASLove you like a sis
M8Mate
MFIMad for it
MorFMale or female?
MoSMother over shoulder
MSGMessage
MTFMore to follow
MTFBWUMay the force be with you
MUSMMiss you so much
MYOBMind your own business
n00bNewbie
N1Nice one
NBDNo big deal
NEAny
NE1Anyone
NFMNone for me / Not for me
NIMBYNot in my back yard

NLTNo later than

NMNothing much / Never mind
NMHNot much here
NO1No one
NOYBNone of your business
NPNo problem
NRNNo response/reply necessary
NVMNever mind
NWNo way
NW)No way out
OICOh, I see
OMGOh my God
OMWOn my way
OOOver and out
OOHOut of here
OOTDOne of these days
OPOn phone
OTBOff to bed
OTLOut to lunch
OTOHOn the other hand
OTTOver the top
OTTOMHOff the top of my head
OTWOff to work
OVAOver
PCMPlease call me
PDQPretty darn quick
PLMKPlease let me know
PLSPlease
PLZPlease
PMPrivate Message
PMFIPardon me for interrupting
PMFJIPardon me for jumping in
POAHFPut on a happy face
POSParent over shoulder
PPLPeople
PROLLYProbably
PRTParty
PRWPeople/parents are watching
PTLPraise the Lord
PTMMPlease tell me more
PXTPlease explain that
PUThat stinks!
QQueue
QIKQuick
QTCutie

RLReal life
RPRole play
RMERolling my eyes
ROFLRolling on floor laughing
ROTFLRolling on the floor laughing
ROTFLUTSRolling on the floor laughing unable to speak
RSNReal soon now
RTFMRead the f***ing manual
RUOKAre you okay?
SALSuch a laugh
SCStay cool
SETESmiling Ear-to-Ear
SICNRSorry, I could not resist
SIG2R Sorry, I got to run
SISSnickering in silence
SITStay in touch
SLAPSounds like a plan
SMHIDScratching my head in disbelief
SNAFUSituation normal all fouled up
SOSignificant other
SOLSooner or later
SOMYSick of me yet?
SOTMGShort of time, must go
SPKSpeak
SPSTSame place, same time
SRYSorry
SSSo sorry
SSDDSame stuff, different day
SSINFSo stupid it's not funny
STR8Straight
STWSearch the Web
SUITMSee you in the morning
SULSee you later
SUPWhat's up?
SYLSee you later
T+Think positive
TAThanks a lot
TAFNThat's all for now
TAMTomorrow a.m.
TBCTo be continued
TBDTo be determined
TBHTo be honest
TCTake care
TGIFThank God it's Friday
THXThanks

THNXThanks
THNQThank-you
TIAThanks in advance
TIADTomorrow is another day
TLK2UL8RTalk to you later
TMBText me back
TMIToo much information
TMOTTrust me on this
TMWFITake my word for it
TNSTAAFLThere's no such thing as a free lunch
TPMTomorrow p.m.
TPTBThe powers that be
TSTBThe sooner, the better
TTFNTa ta for now
TTTTThese things take time
TTYLTalk to you later
TTYSTalk to you soon
TUThank you
TYThank you
TYT Take your time
TYVMThank you very much
UCMUYou crack me up
UGTBKYou've got to be kidding
UKTRYou know that's right
ULUpload
URYour / You're
UVUnpleasant visual
UWYou're welcome
VEGVery evil grin
VFMValue for money
VGCVery good condition
VIPVery important person
VMVoice mail
VSFVery sad face
WAMWait a minute
WAN2TLKWant to talk
WAYFWhere are you from?
W/BWrite back
WBWelcome back
WCWho cares
WCAWho cares anyway
WIBNIWouldn't it be nice if
WDALYICWho died and left you in charge
WDYKWhat do you know

WIIFMWhat's in it for me?

WISPWinning is so pleasurable
WITWWhat in the world
WIUWrap it up
WKWeek
WKDWeekend
WRTWith regard to
WOMBATWaste of money, brains and time
WRKWork
WRUDWhat are you doing?
WTBWanted to buy
WTFWhat the f**k
WTGWay to go
WTHWhat the heck? or What the hell?
WU?What's up?
WUCIWUGWhat you see is what you get
WUF?Where you from?
WWJDWhat would Jesus do?
WWYCWrite when you can
WYLEIWhen you least expect it
WYSIWYGWhat you see is what you get
XKiss
XLNTExcellent
YAYour
YBSYou'll be sorry
YCMUYou crack me up
YGBKMYou've got to be kidding me
YKWYCDYou know what you can do
YMMVYour mileage may vary
YRYour
YRYeah right
YRYOCCYou're running your own cookoo clock
YSYDYeah sure you do
YWYou're welcome
ZZZZSleeping (or bored)
@TEOTDAt the end of the day
143I love you
2DayToday
2G2BTToo good to be true
2MOROTomorrow
2NITETonight
404I don't know
4EAEForever and ever

Computer
Password required to boot up?
Password-protected files
Password Protected/encrypted
Bit Locker (Windows 7/Vista
Enterprise and Ultimate)
Virtual disk encryption: free otfe
Password complexity/security
Backup
Hard to erase hard drive (drill bit)

Firewall
Windows pretty good, but hackers target

VPN (Virtual Private Network): home/office

computer remote access with encrypted
connection (LT2P is highest level)

USB stick can carry virus

Wifi

Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN)

Password protection?
Without encryption, data can be
monitored and recorded
WPA2(WifiProtectedAccess 2);
WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy)
easier to crack
Wireless Printer

Email

Mom:
You dont know where thats been!

Email:
You dont know where thats going.

 Who else has your email password?

(Office staff? Family?)
Protect it from hijacking
Password complexity

Alert to viruses

Phishing

E-mail Policies and Procedures

Standard Turnaround Time for Response

Acceptable Message Content/Purpose

When Not To Use E-mail
Emergencies or Crises

 Confidentiality and Privacy

Identifying code word/phrase
Encryption
Informed Consent to use email
Part of record?
Is it psychotherapy?

Advantages
Expanded access/ geographical availability
email avoids scheduling issues
no pressure to think quickly
precise recordkeeping
computer doesnt interrupt or react in a
triggering manner;
travel time & expense,
agopraphobia/social phobics/other trust
issues; anxiety/stigma; comfort of home;
may feel safer

Disadvantages

Miss subtle cues of sound/body language

Miss emotional reassurance and mirroring
Unexpected technical difficulties
Competence in new medium (rhythm)
Boundaries: are emails a session?
Does client have legal recourse?
Informed consent?
What if mandated to clients
Cultural competency if anonymous?
Crises

Instant Messaging?
Hybrid of email and text
Blogs
Personal
Professional

Internet
Password complexity
Unknown sites may try your password
elsewhere
Phishing:
realistic/official/urgent looking

Dont click on link to sensitive sites,

eg. Bank, email, etc.
Avoid opening files of unknown origin
even if you know the from
Antivirus software

Facebook

Hard for some students/recent

graduates to imagine being without it.
Grads becoming cognizant of image
they project
What does it mean to friend
someone? Invitation to your social
circle.

Facebook
Privacy Settings
Friends Only
Friends of Friends (who knows who?)
Groups/Fans of../specialty pages
may reveal your personal information
Professional-only page
How do you respond to Wall posts

Do you offer advice? Consolation?

Encouragement?
Will members identify other members from
wall posts?

Twitter
Dont mix professional and personal;
could have separate accounts
(but keep them straight!)
Tweets are publicly visible by default;
however, senders can restrict
to just their followers
What would you use it for?

Yahoo Listserv
Members Only
Best Practices sharing
Brainstorming
Resource referrals
Avoid unnecessary client information.
Is your email secure?

e-counseling
Medicare Fraud, Waste and Abuse
Compliance definition includes
Providing services over the
telephone or Internet and billing
using face-to-face codes
BUT individual /group psychotherapy
codes are specified for telehealth

e-counseling
Medicare: Remote Patient Face-To-Face,
Interactive Services

must be provided to an eligible Medicare beneficiary

in an eligible facility (originating site)
located outside of a metropolitan area.
The use of a telecommunications system may substitute
for a face-to-face, "hands on" encounter for
consultation, office visits, individual psychotherapy

Missouri Telehealth institutional based

videoconferencing bills 7 insurance companies

e-counseling
Skype/video

www.ismho.org
(International Society for Mental Health Online)

http://acto-uk.org/
(Association for Counselling and Therapy Online)

e-counseling
California claims jurisdiction over any activity in CA

S. Carolina State Board of Examiners in Psychology

According to statute, jurisdiction is determined by
the residence of the provider.

can regulate the activities of only those providers

who reside in South Carolina.
... Should you go out of state for psychological
treatment, you do so at your own risk.

e-counseling
Some states: have created limited or
special licenses to practice telemedicine
which offer out-of-state providers a
restricted license for infrequent or
irregular contacts.
Many, but not all, licensing laws allow
temporary practice by persons not licensed
in that jurisdiction

e-counseling

Rules for temporary practice vary

Number of days varies from 0 to unlimited
with 30 days most common
Notification/registration with board varies
from advanced authorization for specific
service to no notice required
Scope of practice allowed under temporary
authority varies from consultative or forensic
work to full range of psychological services

e-counseling

Option A. Simply ignore the laws since they are

out of date.
Option B. Skirt laws by flying "under the radar"
Option C. Challenge the laws by flaunting
unlicensed practice
Option D. Support Efforts to Update & Improve
Telepsychology Provisions in Licensing Law
"I don't know one person who has been pursued by a
licensing board for practicing online...
but you don't want to be the poster case."

e-counseling or ?
What if you call it something else, like
Coaching
"You can NOT do the things described as
being within the purview of a professionunless you are licensed to practice that
profession.
If someone says they are a life coach
but is providing psychological services,
they are practicing psychology"whether
they call themselves a psychologist or not."
Stephen T. DeMers, Ed.D.

Online or telephone therapy may be

Adjunctive; e.g. a regular face to face client while
one of you is out of town.
Continuity: continue with a client who has moved;
or temporarily housebound
Based in scarcity: provide services to rural areas
with few therapists; or where home visits are
unavailable.
Marketing strategy : significant or predominant
part of your caseload as a means of reaching new
clients
Clinical consideration: reach clients who might be
overwhelmed in person, or concerned with
confidentiality.
Intra- or inter-state

American Counseling Association

Records of Electronic Communications

(Approved by the ACA Governing Council, October 1999;

subsequently incorporated into Code of Ethics)
http://mooramoora.org.au/bobrich/psych/ethical.html

Professional counselors maintain

appropriate procedures
for ensuring the safety and confidentiality
of client information
acquired through electronic
communications,
including but not limited to

American Counseling Association

encryption software;
proprietary on-site file servers with fire
walls;
saving on-line or e-mail communications to
the hard drive or file server computer
systems;
creating regular tape or diskette back-up
copies;
creating hard-copies of all electronic
communications; and the like

American Counseling Association

Clients are informed about the length of time
for,
and method of, preserving session transcripts.
Professional counselors warn clients of
the possibility or frequency of technology
failures and
time delays in transmitting and receiving
information.

NASW Code of Ethics

SW who provide services via electronic media (such as
computer, telephone, radio, and television) should
inform recipients of the limitations and risks
associated with such services.
SW should protect the confidentiality of clients
written and electronic records and other sensitive
information. Social workers should take reasonable
steps to ensure that clients records are stored in a
secure location and that clients records are not
available to others who are not authorized to have
access.
SW should take precautions to ensure and maintain the
confidentiality of information transmitted to other
parties through the use of computers, electronic mail,
facsimile machines, telephones and telephone
answering machines, and other electronic or computer
technology. Disclosure of identifying information should
be avoided whenever possible.

American Psychological
Association
American Association of Marriage and Family
Therapists

Electronic media
referenced in a few areas by
adding to a list of various ways
services may be delivered and
to which admonishments apply.

American Counseling Association2005

A.12. Technology Applications
A.12.a. Benefits and Limitations Counselors inform clients of the benefits
and limitations of using information technology applications in the
counseling process and in business/billing procedures. Such technologies
include but are not limited to computer hardware and software,
telephones, the World Wide Web, the Internet, online assessment
instruments and other communication devices.
A.12.b. Technology-Assisted Services When providing technology-assisted
distance counseling services, counselors determine that clients are
intellectually, emotionally, and physically capable of using the application
and that the application is appropriate for the needs of clients.
A.12.c. Inappropriate Services When technology-assisted distance
counseling services are deemed inappropriate by the counselor or client,
counselors consider delivering services face to face.

A.12.d. Access
Counselors provide reasonable access to computer
applications
When providing technology-assisted distance counseling
services.
A.12.e. Laws and Statutes Counselors ensure that the use of
technology does not violate the laws of any local, state,
national,
or international entity and observe all relevant statutes.
A.12.f. Assistance Counselors seek business, legal, and
technical
assistance when using technology applications, particularly
when the use of such applications crosses state or national
boundaries.

A.12.g. Technology and Informed Consent As part of the process of establishing

informed consent, counselors do the following:
1. Address issues related to the
difficulty of maintaining the confidentiality of electronically transmitted
communications.
2. Inform clients of all colleagues, supervisors, and employees, such as
Informational Technology (IT) administrators, who might have authorized or
unauthorized access to electronic transmissions.
3. Urge clients to be aware of all authorized or unauthorized users including family
members and fellow employees who have access to any technology clients may use
in the counseling process.
4. Inform clients of pertinent legal rights and limitations governing the practice of a profession
over state lines or international boundaries.
5. Use encrypted Web sites and e-mail communications to help ensure
confidentiality when possible.
6. When the use of encryption is not possible, counselors notify clients of this fact and limit
electronic transmissions to general communications that are not client specific.
7. Inform clients if and for how long archival storage of transaction records are
maintained.
8. Discuss the possibility of technology failure and alternate methods of service delivery.
9. Inform clients of emergency procedures, such as calling 911 or a local crisis
hotline, when the counselor is not available.
10. Discuss time zone differences, local customs, and cultural or language
differences that might impact service delivery.
11. Inform clients when technology assisted distance counseling services are not
covered by insurance. (See A.2.)

A.12.h. Sites on the World Wide Web

Counselors maintaining sites on the World Wide Web (the Internet) do
the following:
1. Regularly check that electronic links are working and professionally
appropriate.
2. Establish ways clients can contact the counselor in case of technology
failure.
3. Provide electronic links to relevant state licensure and professional
certification boards to protect consumer rights and facilitate addressing
ethical concerns.
4. Establish a method for verifying client identity.
5. Obtain the written consent of the legal guardian or other authorized
legal representative prior to rendering services in the event the client is
a minor child, an adult who is legally incompetent, or an adult incapable
of giving informed consent.
6. Strive to provide a site that is accessible to persons with disabilities.
7. Strive to provide translation capabilities for clients who have a different
primary language while also addressing the imperfect nature of such
translations.
8. Assist clients in determining the validity and reliability of information
found on the World Wide Web and other technology applications.

Special thanks to
Jeremy Peterson
Micro Center
4/11/12

Appendix
SAMPLE: Standards for
Communication
If you have a life threatening emergency, and your are unable
to reach me, I suggest you call Life Crisis Services Hot Line
(647-4357), Behavioral Health Response(800-811-4760), or
911.
Paper:
Paper records created in intake, therapy
sessions, or related correspondence will be maintained in a
client file. The client file will only be accessible to me and
you, unless explicit permission is granted by you, or there is
a requirement under law to disclose information (consistent
with limits of confidentiality reviewed at intake, and my
Notice of Privacy Practices.) On occasion, I may contract
with staff to assist with billing and other administrative
matters, and they would also have access to files.

Appendix
SAMPLE: Standards for
Communication
Telephone: Messages left on my voice mail are secure,
accessible only by me with a password. You can normally
expect a response within 24 hours. If you are requiring a
more urgent response, follow instructions on the voice mail
message to flag it as an urgent message, and I will respond
appropriately. If there are occasions when I may be out of
the office and checking my voice mail less frequently, I will
leave special notice and instructions in the voice mail
message.
If you give me a phone number, as a general contact
number, or a call back number in a voice mail message, I will
assume it is acceptable to leave a message at that number
with basic information, such as an answer to a question or
scheduling information, unless you advise me otherwise.

Appendix
SAMPLE: Standards for
Communication
Fax: Faxes are received by me in an electronic form and access is
password protected, only viewed by me. I can typically be expected
to access a fax message within 24 hours. Response will be
determined by the priority I determine. If you require a particularly
prompt response, talk with me directly to make arrangements.
Email Email is received by me and access is password protected, only
viewed by me. I can typically be expected to access an email
message within 24 hours. Response will be determined by the
priority I determine. You should normally expect I will respond at
the next session. If you require a particularly prompt response, talk
with me directly to make arrangements. I will assume that your
email communication is safe and secure if I choose to respond by
email, unless you advise me otherwise. Email can be a convenient
way of passing along information you want to remember to discuss
in a session, or even as a way of journaling for emotional
expression. It is not a usually a good choice for addressing a crisis.

Appendix
SAMPLE: Standards for
Communication
Text Messaging (SMS): Text Messages appear on my phone as soon as
they are received. However, I may not read the message until a later
time. If a response is requested, I will typically respond within 24
hours. If a response is not explicitly requested, I will choose whether
to respond. Text messages may be convenient to communicate simple
information such as scheduling, but is not usually a good medium for
discussing emotional or cognitive issues.
Social Media (e.g. Facebook, Twitter, Linked In, etc):
As a
matter of policy, I do not join a clients Social Media Network, or
include a client in Social Media Networks I may participate in. This
helps maintain the privacy and personal boundaries of our therapeutic
relationship.
In-person: There may be occasions when we unexpectedly run into
each other outside of the office, such as at a store, or event, etc. I
will typically ignore or not acknowledge knowing a client to protect
your privacy. This may seem awkward, but it also avoids the
awkwardness of deciding how to explain to someone how we know
each other.