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Imad K Harb
The Ethics of Electronic Searches for Client Information
With the growing use of digital technology in practice, mental health professionals (MHPs) need to navigate the complexities of client privacy and technology when considering whether and how to gather information about clients electronically. Respecting client privacy and confidentiality helps MHPs build trusting work relationships with clients (Barsky, 2023).
The codes of ethics of the American Psychological Association (APA, section 4), the National Association of Social Workers (NASW, Standard 1.07), and the American Counseling Association (Section B) each instruct their members to inform clients about the nature and extent of confidentiality, including exceptions when they may be authorized (legally or ethically) to share client confidentiality with others.
Respecting client privacy also entails the MHP’s responsibility to refrain from soliciting personal information from the client unless that information is relevant to the objectives of their work. But is it ethical for MHPs to conduct electronic searches of their clients to gather information about them? This article explores the ethical principles of privacy, informed consent, fairness, and integrity as they pertain to conducting electronic searches for personal information about clients.
MHPs may have a variety of reasons for collecting client information from electronic sources, such as online databases, the internet, social media, and artificial intelligence programs. First, gathering information electronically may be an efficient way to gather information and to corroborate information that the client has previously provided the MHP. Consider an MHP who needs to gather information about a client’s criminal history. There are various online sources for conducting criminal background checks, including those of state law enforcement agencies.
Another possible reason to conduct electronic searches is safety. Consider MHPs who have home offices and want to ensure that potential clients who come to their homes will not pose safety issues to themselves or........
© Psychology Today
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