A Brief Report on the Ethical and Legal Guides For Technology Use in Marriage and Family Therapy
Journal of Marital and Family Therapy
Published online on April 12, 2017
Abstract
Marriage and family therapists (MFTs) use ethical codes and state licensure laws/rules as guidelines for best clinical practice. It is important that professional codes reflect the potential exponential use of technology in therapy. However, current standards regarding technology use lack clarity. To explore this gap, a summative content analysis was conducted on state licensure laws/rules and professional ethical codes to find themes and subthemes among the many aspects of therapy in which technology can be utilized. Findings from the content analysis indicated that while there have been efforts by both state and professional organizations to incorporate guidance for technology use in therapy, a clear and comprehensive “roadmap” is still missing. Future scholarship is needed that develops clearer guidelines for therapists.