Confidentiality and ethics
It is not easy to talk to a stranger about personal and sensitive issues, even when the stranger is a professional therapist, and you may be concerned with the possibility that your secrets will be exposed. Emoitonal Training is not psychotherapy, but as I am also a psychotherapist I am commited to the same ethical code, and to confidentiality in particular.
I am always asked about the danger of someone hacking into the site. The written therapeutic sessions are documented on your forum (in the online clinic), so any hacker can read it. Surprisingly, despite the possibility of hacking, online interaction is much safer than face-to-face interaction. In traditional therapy your identity is exposed to anyone who sees you entering the therapist's clinic, while no one knows that you are seeking online counseling. If someone wishes to listen in on your face-to-face therapy, this could simply be done by secretly placing a microphone in the therapist's clinic or by stealing records from his office. It is much harder to do this online, since it takes technical know-how of an exceptionally high standard, and since it is difficult to get information one does not even know exists (only the therapist and the client know the address of the online clinic, and if someone breaks in he will find it difficult to identify what it is).
You can also improve confidentiality by changing your password whenever you like.
Do not forget that the online clinic belongs to you only, and that you can ask me to delete it or parts of it. In addition, if you do not wish to record sensitive information in writing, you can always talk to me through an audio call or video-chat, without using a public software such as Skype.
In my research I examined the ethical codes of many professional organizations, formulating this site's ethical code based on them.
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Emotion. Emotional Training is based on a new concept of human nature that regards emotions as physical responses to stimuli from reality, without separating between body and mind. Our emotions function as an automatic pilot that navigates us, and through Emotional Training you cam identify and improve your emotional skills.
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Training and practicing. Only you can be responsible for practicing Emotional Training, as a way of life, in your own way. In the training sessions you can learn how to identify and improve your emotional skills, and how to practice them regularly.
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Professional skills. My work is based on the body of knowledge I had acquired as a professional psychotherpist and especially in the new field of Emoitonal Training, created by me. I will do my best not to intervene or advice you in any field or aspec that is not part of my specialty or that is not relevant to our mutual work.
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The law and the ethical code. Emotional Training is not 'psychotherapy' and is not limited by any law, but I am also committed to the code of ethics of the UKCP (United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy).
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Privacy and confidentiality. I will protect your privacy and anonymity as much as possible, and refrain from any conduct that might expose you. I will not make any contact with any third party (including your family members and friends) concerning our work and will maintain confidentiality regarding the content of the meetings. I will not use this information in publications. I can consult a professional regarding regarding my work only in cases of professional supervision, which will also be strictly confidential. The only exception from the obligation to confidentiality will be made when required by law or in case of imminent danger to your life or that of other individual.
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Contact with clients. I will refrain from any contact with you outside the regular sessions, or after ending the training. The relationship between us is intended solely for your benefit and I will refrain from any form of exploitation.
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Focus on clients. I will focus my attention and professional work on our mutual work, and will refrain from gossip or criticism of other professionals or persons. I will do my best to focus on your needs and avoid discussing persons who are not present in the interaction.
Good luck,
Dr. Dror Green