Online psychology has gone from novelty to standard. It lets you reach patients anywhere, optimise your time and keep continuity during moves or trips. But it requires the right tech, specific legal frame and clinical judgement.
Video-call platform for psychology
You must comply with GDPR and professional secrecy. Options:
- Doxy.me: built for healthcare, E2E encryption, free with limits.
- Whereby Pro: European, no patient downloads.
- Zoom for Healthcare: HIPAA + BAA, more expensive.
- AVOID: personal Zoom, personal Google Meet, Skype, WhatsApp Video — don't meet reinforced GDPR.
Online session setting and technique
- Camera at eye level, natural light if possible.
- Headphones for better audio and privacy.
- Clean professional background.
- Wired connection if you have wifi issues.
- Tell the patient if you cut off: phone backup plan.
Specific online-therapy consent
Add to the informed consent clauses about:
- Platform used and its security guarantees.
- Video-call risks (drops, breaches, not suited for crisis).
- Visual and verbal patient identification at session start.
- Emergency procedure (local contact, referral).
- Patient location during session (jurisdiction).
Online payments
For online sessions online payment is essential:
- Stripe / Redsys: card, 1.4-2.5% fees.
- Bizum: speed, low fees.
- PayPal: international users.
More on online payments.
When online is NOT suitable
- Patients with active suicide risk.
- Acute crisis without local support network.
- Children under 7 (need tangible play).
- Patients without real private space.
- Forensic or expert-witness cases.
Preguntas frecuentes
Questions about online psychology in Spain.
Does online psychology work as well as in person?
For most cases, yes. Recent studies show equivalent outcomes for anxiety, mild-moderate depression and stable trauma. It doesn't work as well in acute crisis, early childhood or active psychosis.
Which platform should I use for online psychology?
Doxy.me, Whereby Pro or Zoom for Healthcare. Avoid personal Zoom, Skype or WhatsApp video for GDPR reasons.
Do I need a specific consent for online?
Yes, add clauses about platform, digital risks, identification, patient location and emergency procedure.
Can I treat foreign patients online?
Yes, but watch the legal frame: regulated clinical therapy to a patient in another country may require licensure there. Non-clinical coaching has fewer issues.
What price for an online session?
Usually 5-15% lower than in-person (you save office costs). In high-cost areas, similar.