Ethical consideration in telepsychology: a narrative review

With the spread of Covid-19 cases throughout the world, including Iran, the level of stress and anxiety has also increased. However, due to the danger of transmission of the disease and quarantine conditions, direct and face-to-face access to  mental health professionals is limited and even impossible. Since providing psychological services through telecommunication and technology is not very common in Iran, and there is no specific instruction in Iranian ethical codes, the purpose of this study was to review the existent ethical considerations in providing remote psychological services.

This narrative review was conducted using key words including: telepsychiatry, telepsychotherapy, ethics, and code of ethics in the official website of psychology association or organization of different countries and also in national as well as international databases, regulations, instructions, and verified articles in this field.

ethical principles in providing remote psychological services are similar to those of psychology, but etical standards such as eligibility and confidentiality require considerations that must be taken into account.

in order to provide the optimal psychological services and prevention of possible damages, if a psychologist, after the necessary evaluation, decides to provide online psychological services, he or she should have the necessary competencies in using communication technology . additionally, they should be aware of the related ethical principles and standards and apply them.