Module 1.1-1.5
What integrity means in online clinical work
Integrity in virtual practice involves transparency, consistency, and respect for relational dynamics. Online therapy can challenge our ethical compass in subtle ways—think ambiguous boundaries, distractions, or depersonalization.
What Does Integrity Mean in Online Clinical Work?
Integrity in virtual therapy means aligning your values, ethics, and presence with your clinical practice—even in a digital space. It includes being transparent, maintaining consistent standards of care, and honoring the therapeutic relationship, even without a shared physical environment.
Unlike in-person sessions, virtual work opens the door to subtle but meaningful lapses in ethical and relational presence—such as blurred boundaries, multitasking, inconsistent communication, or environmental distractions.
When virtual integrity is compromised, clients may feel:
Less emotionally safe
Less seen or understood
Less likely to disclose vulnerable material
Stat: According to a 2022 study by the Journal of Technology in Behavioral Science, 43% of clients receiving telehealth therapy reported feeling “less emotionally connected” to their therapist compared to in-person care—often due to perceived lack of engagement, distractions, or environment-related interruptions.
Prompt: How do your values show up in your virtual workspace and communication?
Process: How distracted are you virtual versus In person?
This is a perfect time to take inventory assessing how unfocused you may be due to digital devices, multi-tasking or showing up less loyal to the moment. Is it because feel you are not being watched directly? However, there is someone watching and experiencing you do you think they see?