Characteristics of E-therapy Websites Involving Marriage and Family Therapists

This study described some of the common ethical and legal issues that mental health professionals practicing over the Internet or phone may encounter. It also explored how 83 e-therapy websites involving marriage and family therapists characterize their services. Results indicated that a majority of the websites lack information regarding crisis resources, terms of service, procedures for treatment of minors, and procedures for provision of therapy across borders. Further findings indicated that practitioners may have not properly considered the global nature of the Internet and its risks. Therapists are urged to give attention to e-therapy limitations, as well as ethical and legal problems, before attempting distance treatment.