Email in my practice

I use email at times to communicate with patients. It started when a patient discovered my email address and contacted me. I was annoyed at first, but I gradually warmed to the idea. I worry about the confidentiality of this medium, but I do find email to be convenient. It allows patients to get in touch between sessions even when it isn't a crisis.

I wonder if we have to re-think boundaries, though. Part of the structure of therapy involves delaying gratification and containing material until the next session. How does this availability impact that?

As email contact becomes even more common I think we will need to address issues such as this in research and in training programs.

Replies:

You make an excellent point!, by Leslie Dale, 8/19/98 Delaying gratification, by Leonard Holmes, 8/20/98 I Agree!, by Leslie Dale, 8/21/98 Another look at 'Why didn't you get back to me?', by Jennifer DuBose, M.S., 10/4/98 Re:Another look at 'Why didn't you get back to me?', by , 10/17/00 Re:I Agree!, by Monica, 03/12/01

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