Schwartz and Lonborg (2011) note that even though telecommunication devices are highly desirable and convenient in delivering mental health services, professionals should be aware of increasing security threats. Among concerns related to insufficient technical expertise, Barnett and Kolmes (2016) point out difficulty knowing the identity of the client and whether the practitioner is interacting with the same person each time, also inadequate assessment, diagnosing, and crisis management. Clinicians must also follow-up with recent research, and utilize interventions that have empirical support. Before delivering e-services, mental health clinicians have to evaluate their readiness to use technologies and to consider the appropriateness of the service for a particular client (Barnett & Kolmes, 2016). If professionals successfully addressed mentioned limitations, then telehealth interventions could be effective for the clinical population (Hailey et al., 2008), and practitioners could achieve the therapeutic alliance comparable
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Practicing mental health professionals must be aware of the differences in the laws and regulation of other states and countries. A counselor must understand that he/she might be required to deliver mental health services by complying with laws applicable to both, counselor's practicing location and client's area of residence (American Counseling Association, 2014). Duty to warn, protect or treat is another issue related to inter-jurisdictional practice. Practitioners must be aware of the laws that require to take some action and report client's intention to harm an identifiable victim or group of victims. Furthermore, mental health professionals are advised to know contacts of local police, as well as the nearest hospitals and emergency rooms when delivering services to clients from the different location (Barnett & Kolmes,
Practicing mental health professionals must be aware of the differences in the laws and regulation of other states and countries. A counselor must understand that he/she might be required to deliver mental health services by complying with laws applicable to both, counselor's practicing location and client's area of residence (American Counseling Association, 2014). Duty to warn, protect or treat is another issue related to inter-jurisdictional practice. Practitioners must be aware of the laws that require to take some action and report client's intention to harm an identifiable victim or group of victims. Furthermore, mental health professionals are advised to know contacts of local police, as well as the nearest hospitals and emergency rooms when delivering services to clients from the different location (Barnett & Kolmes,