Using Skype as a tool for recovering sex addicts

By: Terry Gatewood, ASW, MSW

It is difficult for many people to fit therapy into their daily lives. Things come up and a patient simply will not be able to commit to a therapy session. When this happens we turn to Skype.

Skype is a great communication tool that benefits clients facing sex addiction and compulsivity. It is especially great for times when patients are traveling or in remote locations.

While phone sessions are at many times useful, Skyping allows the therapist to see the patient and interpret the patient’s facial expressions and body language. This is crucial because the therapist is able to determine whether the clients affect matches his words. For example, when you ask how a client is doing and he says “fine”, you have the ability to see that the client is not telling the truth, he says he is fine but the patient you are staring at on your computer screen has not shaved in days, his eyes are bloodshot, and overall he looks like a mess.  Through Skype you can immediately assess possible depression.

Skype is also a tool for spouses of sex addicts who are in recovery. When we conduct couples sessions during Two-Week Intensive Program sometimes the spouse is not able to make it out to Los Angeles in order to be around during the recovery process. When this happens we conduct sessions via Skype so the spouse can be involved. The spouse then becomes a part of the process and the client has the ability to feel more connected through Skype sessions.

Skypeing is not only a tool for local clients who are on the road or vacationing but Skype can be used for patients who live out of state or in remote areas where there is no access to good behavioral healthcare. Though it is encouraged that patients find inpatient therapy sessions in their area, sometimes it is not possible. Patients will then be directed to stay in contact with a far-off therapist through Skype.

According to the NASW, VOIP-therapy such as Skype falls under the guidelines of the NASW Code of Ethics.  The same high ethical standard that applies to in-person practices also applies to VOIP-therapy.  It is important to be aware of the relevant legal regulations concerning licensing guidelines for conducting VOIP-therapy in your local jurisdiction.

Clients must be able to verify the credentials of the mental health professional they are seeing.  This is one reason why nearly all of SRI Skype clients have been a face-to-face client at some point.  SRI clients are assured they are working with a properly credentialed therapist.

It important to be able to verify the identity and location of the client in case of a crisis situation this is due to, duty to warn, duty to report or need to access local emergency services. Using written contracts and credit card information enable establishing the client’s identity, location and verification that they are of the age of consent to receive services.