Informed Consent for Telepsychology

Last updated: October 15, 2025

This document clearly and completely explains what telepsychology is, its benefits and limitations, how we protect your privacy, and what rules apply to consultations conducted electronically. Please read carefully before accepting. If you have any questions, please contact us.

Data protection contact: dpo@psicologo-online.pt | +351 911 559 506.

1. What is telepsychology?

Telepsychology is the provision of psychological services remotely through secure synchronous or asynchronous communication technologies, including video calls, voice, secure messaging, and document sharing within the patient's area. The goal is to facilitate access, continuity of care, and convenience, while maintaining the same ethical and technical standards required in a face-to-face setting.

2. Clinical suitability and alternatives

Teleconsultation is suitable for many situations involving psychological assessment and intervention. In some cases, it may not be recommended, for example when an in-person examination is necessary, there is high clinical instability, significant risk to yourself or others, current domestic violence, or when minimum conditions of privacy or technological stability are lacking. Your psychologist will assess the suitability and may suggest alternatives, such as an in-person consultation with a professional in your area of residence or referral to other services.

3. Objectives, limits and scope of the service

The consultations are for the purposes of psychological assessment, intervention, and follow-up. They do not replace emergency medical or psychiatric services. The psychologist does not prescribe medication or issue reports outside their scope of expertise. In crisis situations, you should immediately contact 112 or go to the emergency room. In each session, realistic objectives, a work plan, and the limits of the service will be defined.

4. User requirements

You will need a compatible device, a stable internet connection, a working microphone and camera, sufficient power, and a private, quiet space. Headphones are recommended. You must ensure that no unauthorized person has access to the session. You are responsible for testing the equipment beforehand and keeping the software up to date.

5. Identification, location and emergency contact

At the beginning of the therapy, the client confirms their identity and provides an emergency contact number and their usual physical address. At the beginning of each session, the client confirms their address/location in real time for possible activation of help in case of a crisis. The psychologist will only use this data for the client's protection when absolutely necessary.

6. Privacy, confidentiality and data protection

The content of the sessions is confidential and protected by professional secrecy, except in cases of legally foreseen exceptions, such as imminent risk to the life or integrity of oneself or third parties, or compliance with a legitimate order from an authority. DaTerapia complies with the GDPR and Portuguese law, applying appropriate technical and organizational measures, namely encryption of communications in transit, access control by profile, access logs, data minimization, and team training. Health data is processed only by those who need it for strictly necessary clinical or operational purposes, under a duty of confidentiality.

For clarifications or to exercise your GDPR rights, contact the DPO: dpo@psicologo-online.pt.

7. Recordings, notes and message exchange

We do not record sessions by default. Any recording will require prior information, a specific purpose, an appropriate legal basis and, where applicable, explicit consent. Clinical notes belong to the psychologist's record and are not shared with third parties, except where legally required. Asynchronous messages and documents sent through the patient area are intended to support the therapeutic process. Email should not be used for sensitive clinical content. As a rule, asynchronous messages are answered during business hours and do not constitute an emergency service.

8. Risks and benefits

Expected benefits include greater accessibility, continuity of care, reduced travel, and user comfort. Risks include technical failures, interruptions, temporary loss of audio or video quality, residual digital risks despite safeguards, and reduced richness of some nonverbal cues. In case of technical failure, the psychologist may resort to a temporary alternative, such as a new link or telephone contact to complete or reschedule.

9. Fees, payments, cancellations and absences

Fees, accepted payment methods, and cancellation deadlines are detailed in the Cancellation, No-Show, and Refund Policy. Fees may apply for late cancellations or no-shows. Refunds, when applicable, follow the procedure outlined in that policy. For distance contracts, a right of withdrawal may apply, except if the service has been expressly requested to commence within the legal timeframe and fully provided.

10. Session duration and attendance

The typical duration of an individual session is between 45 and 60 minutes, and a couple/family session between 60 and 90 minutes, unless otherwise agreed. Regular attendance and punctuality are essential for the effectiveness of the treatment. Client delays may reduce the effective duration of the session, while the fees will remain the same.

11. Limits of availability and professional boundaries

Consultations take place at a pre-arranged time. Outside of these hours, a response is not guaranteed, except by specific agreement. The psychologist does not provide urgent advice through informal channels. Any contact outside the platform must respect professional boundaries and confidentiality.

12. International Transfers and Subcontractors

We prioritize services and accommodation within the European Economic Area. When it is necessary to use suppliers outside the EEA, we apply standard contractual clauses and additional security measures. Subcontractors operate under written contracts, documented instructions, and appropriate controls. We do not share health data with marketing platforms.

13. Data conservation

Administrative and accounting data are kept for the legally required periods. Clinical data are kept for the period necessary for continuity of care and for the minimum period appropriate to professional standards, unless a longer period is imposed by law. Once these periods have expired, the data are securely deleted or anonymized.

14. User rights

You may request access, rectification, erasure, restriction, portability and objection, under the terms of the GDPR, as well as withdraw consents that have served as the basis for certain processing, without affecting the lawfulness of the previous processing. To exercise these rights, please contact us. dpo@psicologo-online.pt. In case of a complaint, you can contact the CNPD (National Data Protection Commission). We encourage prior contact for a quick resolution.

15. Minors and parental consent

Intervention with minors requires the consent of the holder of parental responsibilities when legally applicable, with proper verification. The minor must be heard in a manner appropriate to their age and maturity.

16. Procedure in case of emergency during the session

If during the session there are indications of imminent risk, the psychologist may contact the emergency number 112 and activate the emergency contact indicated by the client, communicating the location provided at the beginning of the session, only to the extent necessary to protect life and physical integrity.

17. Updates to this consent

This document may be updated for legal, technical, or clinical reasons. Relevant changes will be communicated, and the user may reconsider their consent.