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Advancement in technology continues to change the way that clinical social workers manage their private practices and deliver services to patients. Technology has made most services accessible and convenient in addition to making communication easier and faster. It also raises liability concerns, which can place clinical social workers at risk. Clinical social workers should take certain precautions when using technology to ensure patient confidentiality and privacy of records. They should also follow federal and state statutes regarding the use of technology in their private practice. The cellular phone, answering machine, facsimile machine, and computer are technology tools used in private practice that deserve special attention.
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As clinical social workers venture into the 21st century, they see changes in computer technology occurring at a rapid pace, offering diversity in the way we provide mental health services to patients and their families. For years we have conducted psychotherapy services in an office or hospital setting, over the telephone, and even in the private setting of a homebound patient. Now there is an emerging opportunity to provide psychotherapy services via the Internet. These Internet services have been referred to as e-therapy, online therapy, cyber therapy and Internet counseling. Whatever term is used, many clinical social workers are eager to use the Internet as a tool for communications with their patients, while others cautiously wait at the starting line to see what the finished product may look like.
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