Technological advances and telehealth: Ethics, law, and the practice of psychotherapy

Advances in technology are rapidly changing the practice of psychotherapy. Psychotherapists may now offer clinical services around the world by telephone and via the Internet by e-mail, chat rooms, Web sites, and interactive audio and video technology. The many new media and resources available to practitioners are reviewed along with the potential benefits as well as the ethical and legal challenges and dilemmas that place the unwary or ill-informed practitioner at great risk. Recommendations for effective clinical and ethical practice are made to assist the practitioner using these technologies to provide clinical services.