The American Psychological Association explores the Online World

06/23/97

Leonard Holmes, Ph.D.                      http://mentalhealth.about.com

The American Psychological Association (APA), like many organizations, is struggling to keep up with the changes that are taking place in the online world. The APA has begun to wrestle with issues involved in delivering psychological services over the internet. This professional organization already has an extensive Code of Ethics which governs the science and practice of psychology. In 1995 they released a statement addressing internet and telephone services. This statement reads in part:

Psychologists considering such services must review the characteristics of the services and the service delivery method, and consider the relevant ethical standards and other requirements,such as licensure board rules. As an example of the possible variations, consider confidentiality in a situation in which the services involve two individuals directly exchanging confidential information. The ease with which Internet transmissions may be intercepted would be relevant, and use of encryption might be considered a sufficient action on the part of the psychologist to establish that confidential transmissions were protected. (APA, 1995)

An article in the APA Monitor in 1995 expressed similar concerns. While this is only one of many issues before this body, it is probably the most pressing and one of the most controversial. Psychologists have always had a strict set of ethical standards. The clear message in this interim statement is that the current standards will still apply, no matter what the medium.

This article was written prior to the 1997 APA Convention.  Since the Convention is now history, this is simply a record of what was discussed.

Friday August 15, 1997 - topics included:

What Makes Online Usage Stimulating: Potential Explanations for Pathological Internet Use
From ASCII to Holodecks: Cyberpsychology of an Online Graphical Chat Community
Gender Differences in Internet Use
Attitudes Toward the Information Superhighway
When People Share: The Value of Online Support Groups

Sunday August 17, 1997 - topics included:

Creating Professional Communities Online
Online Psychoeducation: Past, Present, and Future
You Can't do Psychotherapy on the Net (Yet)
Maintaining Clinical Boundaries in a Virtual World: Issues & Answers
The Ethical & Economic Aspects of Online Service Delivery

Leonard Holmes, Ph.D.                      http://mentalhealth.about.com

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