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| Telephone Counseling Confidentiality and Security |
As a therapist, it is my job to take reasonable steps to make sure your information and our conversations are as secure as
possible. The fact is, no therapist can guarantee confidentiality. People intent on breaking laws to get your information or listen
to your conversations will invariably find a way, whether on the phone or in the office. In light of this, there are things both the
therapist and client can do to make their conversations as secure as possible.
The current line of thinking suggests that older model cordless telephones are the easiest to eavesdrop upon. Your neighbor can
inadvertently do it with a baby monitor. Newer cordless phones use different frequencies, which makes this less likely to occur,
however, cordless phones still use radio waves to transmit which are relatively easy to tap into. Likewise, a cell phone in
"roaming" mode is using radio waves and the same concerns apply.
Most cell phones use GSM or CDMA technology, which uses a digital signal and is inherently harder to tap into. It would take a
large amount of expensive equipment and expertise to be able to tap into a cell phone conversation. The larger threat to cell
phone security appears to be to PDA-style phones that may be vulnerable to viruses or trojans that can hijack your cell phone
number or steal personal information stored on your phone.
Corded phones are, in fact, quite easy for someone to tap into. All that's required is relatively cheap hardware and a means to
reach the telephone box on the outside of your house. The best way to guard against this type of threat is to be aware of who
has access to your home and periodically check the telephone box for tampering.
VoIP (voice over internet protocal) has been making advances in encrypting phone conversations over the internet. However,
history has shown that creative people with advanced technological backgrounds have been able to circumvent these advances
and hack into VoIP systems. Use this mode of communication with caution.
When you decide to engage in telephone therapy, it's important to understand that you are responsible for securing your end of
the phone line. That means using a telephone you're comfortable with, as well as securing your environment so that others are
not able to easily listen to your conversation. When I conduct telephone therapy, I use my business cell phone (using CMDA
technology) in my Maple Grove office or in my home office, both of which have sound obscuring materials and technology.
If you have any questions about security issues and telephone therapy, please contact me.
possible. The fact is, no therapist can guarantee confidentiality. People intent on breaking laws to get your information or listen
to your conversations will invariably find a way, whether on the phone or in the office. In light of this, there are things both the
therapist and client can do to make their conversations as secure as possible.
The current line of thinking suggests that older model cordless telephones are the easiest to eavesdrop upon. Your neighbor can
inadvertently do it with a baby monitor. Newer cordless phones use different frequencies, which makes this less likely to occur,
however, cordless phones still use radio waves to transmit which are relatively easy to tap into. Likewise, a cell phone in
"roaming" mode is using radio waves and the same concerns apply.
Most cell phones use GSM or CDMA technology, which uses a digital signal and is inherently harder to tap into. It would take a
large amount of expensive equipment and expertise to be able to tap into a cell phone conversation. The larger threat to cell
phone security appears to be to PDA-style phones that may be vulnerable to viruses or trojans that can hijack your cell phone
number or steal personal information stored on your phone.
Corded phones are, in fact, quite easy for someone to tap into. All that's required is relatively cheap hardware and a means to
reach the telephone box on the outside of your house. The best way to guard against this type of threat is to be aware of who
has access to your home and periodically check the telephone box for tampering.
VoIP (voice over internet protocal) has been making advances in encrypting phone conversations over the internet. However,
history has shown that creative people with advanced technological backgrounds have been able to circumvent these advances
and hack into VoIP systems. Use this mode of communication with caution.
When you decide to engage in telephone therapy, it's important to understand that you are responsible for securing your end of
the phone line. That means using a telephone you're comfortable with, as well as securing your environment so that others are
not able to easily listen to your conversation. When I conduct telephone therapy, I use my business cell phone (using CMDA
technology) in my Maple Grove office or in my home office, both of which have sound obscuring materials and technology.
If you have any questions about security issues and telephone therapy, please contact me.
Disclaimer: The contents of this site and all the pages herein are intended for informational purposes only and are subject to change without notice at any time. None of
the information in this site is intended to be taken as advice therapeutic, legal, or otherwise. At no time does use of this site nor communication through this site constitute a
therapeutic relationship between the user and therapist. Kari L.M. Silverberg, MA, LAMFT and Theraspire Counseling Services, PLLC assumes no liability for the
content of this site or damages that may result from use, reference to, reliance on, or decisions resulting from its use. Use of this site establishes your consent to the
provisions of this disclaimer. Copyright 2006. All rights reserved.
the information in this site is intended to be taken as advice therapeutic, legal, or otherwise. At no time does use of this site nor communication through this site constitute a
therapeutic relationship between the user and therapist. Kari L.M. Silverberg, MA, LAMFT and Theraspire Counseling Services, PLLC assumes no liability for the
content of this site or damages that may result from use, reference to, reliance on, or decisions resulting from its use. Use of this site establishes your consent to the
provisions of this disclaimer. Copyright 2006. All rights reserved.