Telephone counseling needs to be used only during crisis. Ethical and legal norms have not been well established in telephone counseling so it needs to be avoided.

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

* Late to the session
* Cancellation
* Emergency contact
* Interruption of services
* Termination
* Gifts
* Self-disclosure
* Telephone counseling

Practical issues

Vinay, B., Lakshmi, J., & Math, S. B. (2016). Ethical and legal issues in psychotherapy. In Ethical Issues in Counselling and Psychotherapy Practice (pp. 199-217). Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-1808-4_13

Ethical and Legal Issues in Psychotherapy

It is difficult for the therapist to conduct session due to time constraints. It is advisable to discuss the difficulties in reporting on time and the possible solutions for the same.

Late to the session

There could be charge if clients didn't inform the therapist at least 24 hours in advance. 

Cancellation

Clients/family may be provided with emergency contact numbers of the emergency psychiatric settings. However, they need to be aware that therapist’s privacy and personal time needs to be respected.

Emergency contact

Abrupt ending of sessions is not appropriate and ethical.

Interruption of services

Psychotherapy is terminated when the therapist evaluates that the client does not need therapy any more.

Termination

Gift-giving had symbolic value which ranged from appreciation, boundary violation to manipulation. Communication  regarding gift giving is important to the therapy-client relationship.

Gifts

Telephone counseling

It would be good have a balanced and careful use of self-disclosure without indulging in disclosing too much or too little. 

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