In this video I talk about the challenge between the freedom of the individual to access therapeutic services online from whomever they wish to, and the issue of jurisdictional restrictions and the laws that are in place.

With the technology available today and the World Wide Web, everything is changing. New guidelines need to be developed in relation to online counseling therapy. There are a few professional organizations such as the International Society for Mental Health Online, working on developing these guidelines. You may be interested in getting involved in helping to make the changes happen.

We have our work cut out for us as professionals, but I believe this service option for online therapeutic services will be driven by the general public and the clients who wish to access therapy from whomever they choose. We need to start thinking globally.

I welcome comments and opinions on this topic. Take a look at the video.

With You in Mind
Norm Quantz

Several years ago, my insurance broker started the quest to find the kind of insurance I wanted for my online therapy practice. I was specific in what I wanted and it was evident that one of the problems was that I wanted insurance that included coverage in the United States.

For those of us who live outside the USA, it is very hard to get global insurance coverage for counseling therapy that includes the United States. I didn’t want any exceptions in my coverage and it took my broker two years to find an insurance company that would cover me anywhere including in the United States.

This has been a journey for us, but I believe that the time is coming when insurance providers will be more open to the idea of this type of coverage for online therapy practices. In this video I talk about finding global coverage for my online therapy practice and how it came about. I share important details in order to save you time if you are looking for professional insurance for online counseling therapy.

I wish you all the best in your search for insurance coverage for your online therapy practice!

With You in Mind,
Norm Quantz

Insurance companies are highly regulated regarding the areas that they can operate in and those areas that they can’t. These restrictions are based on their licensing therefore first of all it is important that you find an insurance broker that can do the search work for you. A broker is more familiar with the restrictions within each insurance company and can help you find one that will offer the type of insurance you are looking for.

Make sure the broker understands exactly what it is that you are doing; let them know how your online or global counseling practice operates. There is a wide variety when it comes to online therapy so make it clear to them what type of online work it is that you do or wish to do.

Although I am not able to disclose the name of the company that covers my online practice, I am able to disclose the company that backs them which will help you to point your broker in the right direction or at least in a helpful direction so please watch the video.

In this video I offer a few ideas that might help you in your search for global professional insurance for online therapy practices. In the next video I talk about the journey to finding the global insurance coverage for online counseling work and offer a few tips that will save you time in your search.

With You in Mind
Norm Quantz

On the question of Jurisdictional issues, it is absolutely important that we have an understanding of the guidelines as we go online with therapy and therapeutic practices.

Up until now jurisdictional guidelines have been concerned about regulating local area info and therapeutic services, however online counseling therapy and mental health covers the world; you can have a client anywhere the client has a computer. This brings with it many questions for mental health professionals.
In this video I review a little bit about jurisdictional issues as we continue to work towards bringing those changes to the new reality being demanded by the clients who want access to whichever therapist they choose.

Online counselling therapy is well on its way to being the way that therapy is delivered.
What do you think? Do you think that the laws should change regarding jurisdictional issues, or do you think the laws are current enough and will be able to cover the expectations regarding online therapy?

I look forward to your comments.

With You in Mind,
Norm Quantz

Click here to Download the workbook

Therapists are connecting to clients technically at the speed of light. Making it easier and less expensive for clients to connect to therapists is an honorable pursuit in our profession.

We are entereing an exciting new era. The changing Social and Ecological Landscape of the modern consumer wants instant access to your counselling services.

Norm is experienced in on-line counselling using confidential, face-to-face technology. He will discuss the pros and cons of the current technical options used by therapists including telephone, email, testing and web conferencing.

Be sure to download the pdf workbook of the powerpoint presentation.

This was presented at the Canadian Counselling Association’s National Conference in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada on May 20, 2009.