To minimize the risk of accidental breaches in confidentiality between therapists and clients our online service uses highly sophisticated encryption and security measures. Not only are communications encrypted, but the content of the conversations is also not recorded in our secured host computer. Rather, confidential treatment information is deleted from the host computer. Some clients may wish to remain anonymous, that is, have treatment without the therapist knowing their name. Such requests are problematic and if a therapist agrees to such an arrangement, the agreement can only be tentative and conditional.
Therapists have a right, and in some situations, an obligation to know who their clients are.
A dual relationship is a situation both clients and providers should try to avoid, as it can hinder or interfere with treatment. A simple way to avoid the risk of a dual relationship is to make sure both parties identify each other. As part of the therapeutic relationship, providers are also obligated to ensure the well-being and safety of their clients, and sometimes, the safety of third parties endangered by their clients. To prevent harm in a crisis for example, a provider may need to know how to contact the client or try to obtain outside help for a client. For these reasons, even if a therapist has provisionally agreed to treat a client without knowing the client's name, the therapist may nevertheless find it necessary, at some future time, to know the identify a client.