What must a therapist document before conducting telehealth services?

Before conducting telehealth services, it is essential for a therapist to obtain and document the client's consent for teletherapy. This consent process ensures that clients are fully informed about the nature of remote therapy, including any potential risks, limitations, and confidentiality concerns unique to virtual sessions. Documenting this consent is not only a best practice but also a requirement in many jurisdictions to comply with ethical guidelines and legal standards.

Obtaining informed consent allows clients to make educated decisions about engaging in telehealth services and affirms their understanding and agreement to the therapeutic process as it is carried out remotely. It serves to protect both the client and the therapist and reinforces the therapeutic relationship's trust and transparency. In contrast, while the client's personal history, previous therapy outcomes, and the therapist's emotional state may be relevant to treatment, they do not specifically relate to the preliminary requirements for initiating telehealth sessions.