Ethics: Therapy by App

Several app-based platforms have emerged as options for clients seeking mental health care. While app-based care appears to improve access to care for rural and other populations, concerns have also been expressed about the role of these apps in therapist-client relationships. Some apps have been accused of data mining and other potentially harmful practices. Are the ethical tradeoffs worth it? What is the therapist’s responsibility when it comes to the policies and practices of a digital platform they’re providing services through? This course takes a dive into reasons why therapist may place themselves at risk when providing app-based therapy services, while also honoring the good reasons why they may choose to do so.

2 Hours CE. Recorded Video Format (non-interactive)

ESTIMATED COURSE LENGTH: 2.03 hours 

CE CREDITS: 2.00  continuing education/contact hours for social workers, psychologists, counselors, and marriage and family therapists

TARGET AUDIENCE: Mental Health Practitioners

LEVEL OF INSTRUCTION: Advanced (

PREREQUISITE(S): None

INSTRUCTIONAL METHOD: Recorded video format (non-interactive)

ACCESSIBILITY ACCOMMODATIONS: Closed captioning of audio components. In order to request further accessibility accommodations, please email support@psychhub.com.

COMPLETION REQUIREMENTS: To obtain your CE certificate, learners must complete a pre-test (not scored), progress through all course segments, complete a participant evaluation, and obtain a score of 80% or higher on a post-test. Learners are expected to complete the quiz within 3 attempts. If unable to do so, the learner will need to re-review the course segments.

FINANCIAL/COMMERCIAL SUPPORT STATEMENT: This course has no commercial support.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST:  This course has no potential conflict of interest or outside commercial support. Psych Hub's conflict of interest statement is found in the footer of the training center.

GRIEVANCE AND REFUND POLICIES: Grievance and refund policies are found in the footer of the training center.

PARTICIPATION COSTS:  The cost to participate in this CE activity is included in the subscription registration fee.

COURSE CREATION DATE: 3/7/2022

By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:

• Identify at least two differences between therapy via app and other forms of telehealth
• Describe at least two ethical arguments for, and two ethical arguments against, providing mental health services to clients through third-party apps
• Describe at least two controversies surrounding apps’ impacts on therapist legal and ethical compliance

1. Current therapy apps
2. Controversies
   1. APA vs Talkspace: Does Talkspace offer “therapy”?
   2. Crisis response
   3. Practicing across state lines
3. Ethical standards and best practices surrounding use of technology in mental health care
4. Potential benefits
   1. Access to care
   2. Cost and convenience
5. Potential concerns
   1. Privacy concerns
   2. Data mining concerns
   3. Impacts on the therapeutic relationship
6. Future state