Identifying Complexities in the New Field of Technology Assisted Counselling Therapy

Length: 1 hr
Copyright 2009 I.M.A.G.E. Inc. ~ This audio may not be used in whole or in part without the written permission of both Mr. Norm Quantz and Dr. Stephen Goss.

Dr. Stephen Goss

Online Video Counselor and Relationship Expert Norm Quantz, MA from Canada interviews leading Online Therapy Researcher, Author and Consultant Dr. Stephen Goss, PhD. from Great Britain on the subject of Identifying Complexities in the New Field of Technology Assisted Counselling Therapy. 

After they discuss some of the emerging terminology issues, the current variety of delivery modalities used by professionals in this burgeoning field, and recognizing the seminal contributions of people like Kate Anthony with DeeAnna Merz Nagel of Online Therapy Institute, Dr. Goss answers Mr. Quantz’s probing questions about:

• MALPRACTICE INSURANCE: Dr. Goss addresses the questions of how available global malpractice insurance is, what attitudes are affecting this industry, and what is anticipated in the near future.
• SECURITY: Encryption may help secure the transmission of information by email but it’s important for the therapist to be aware of the broader spectrum of security issues such as the security of information before and after the transmission. Stephen and Norm expose the importance of security issues, what therapists need to understand about security, and what is currently happening on security in this growing field of distance therapy.
• JURISDICTIONAL issues revolve around perceptions and assumptions of where distance therapy is taking place and hence what laws apply. Countries differ in the regulation of therapy. Dr. Goss identifies key issues that professional practitioners need to be aware of in order to practice globally.

Norm Quantz helps wrap up the interview by encouraging therapists to expand their practice to the online environment so clients can access the expertise of the global therapist.

BIO: Stephen Goss, Ph.D., is a Lecturer in Counselling at the Tayside Institute for Health Studies at the University of Abertay, Dundee and a therapist, supervisor and researcher specialising in online counselling, evaluation of counselling and therapy services and topics related to counselling in health-care, education and private practice settings. He is a member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy and has over a quarter of a century of experience in counselling and related work.

His prime interests are innovative practice methods especially the use of technology to extend traditional counselling practices and developing pluralist approaches to counselling and research. His published works include Evidence-Based Counselling and Psychological Therapies (Routledge) and Technology in Counselling and Psychotherapy, A Practitioner’s Guide, (Palgrave). In 2001, he was the lead author for the first edition of the BACP Guidelines for Online Counselling and Psychotherapy and co-author for the 3rd edition, published in 2009.