GUIDELINES AND INFORMED CONSENT
Client(s) acknowledge(s) their written agreement to online religious counseling services. Client further acknowledges they have read and understood the following guidelines which shape the online religious counseling services.
Informed Consent:
Clients are informed prior to making
consent for online services, the background of your counselor, the potential
risks and benefits of my services, as well as safeguards for risks of broken
confidentiality, and alternative ways to approach religious counseling.
Possible Misunderstandings:
Client acknowledges using text-based modalities such as email and videoconferencing
makes some misunderstandings possible. When such occasions occur, the
counselor and client shall first seek to resolve any outstanding issues
regarding appointments or turnaround times as it relates to a scheduled
appointment made 24 hours in advance.
Turnaround Time:
Client acknowledges that real time communication and turnaround time for written communications may take longer than proposed by the sender. Generally, a client should receive a turnaround time of 24 to 36 hours, depending upon my location, holidays, and weekends. When internet services are not available, a general notice will go out indicating that time period, and any scheduled appointments missed during that time shall be rescheduled without cost to the client.
Privacy of the Counselor:
Clients acknowledge the counselor has
his right to privacy. Counselor shall also restrict use of any copies of
recordings client makes with counselor. Counselor may be required, by
law, to turnover such recordings under public emergency or loss of life
situations.
Potential Benefits:
Clients gain opportunities to discuss their particular concerns in an individual, couple or familial group situation. Additional benefits include access to email messages at any time of day or night; never having to leave messages with intermediaries; avoiding voice mail and telephone tag. Clients also allow themselves an unlimited amount of time to compose written communications and to reflect upon your messages before sending them to your counselor. Also your counselor maintains a record of communications via real time videoconferencing, which is less inhibiting than meeting in person.
Potential Risks:
Counselor reminds clients to be aware there are some potential risks associated with having religious counseling services via email and videoconferencing. Emails messages may not be received due to wrong email address, possibly having confidentiality breached, or possibility an email exchange goes unnoticed by counselor. Client also acknowledges Counselor is not held responsible for such risks associated with hackers or internet providers, as well as others with access to the client's email account or computer. Client should consider extra safeguards when the computer is shared by family members, students, employment/work situations, etc.
Safeguards:
Counselor takes the following safeguards against potential risks. For example, when a client makes an appointment, a return receipt shall be sent to the client at the email address given in the appointment request. Additionally, the Counselor utilizes various antivirus and encryption software in the daily activities of providing his services. However, client acknowledges that it is not possible to provide for every possible contingency.
Alternatives:
Counselor provides clients guidance
based upon Quran, authentic Sunnah of Prophet Mohammed, (pbuh), Islamic
theological sources, Shari'ah concepts and their reevaluation applying ijtihad
principles, personal experience as an Imam, religious counselor, marriage
counselor, as well as outside professional input from other disciplines, and an
understanding of various cultural tenets to provide the most informed
commentary as it relates to each client's needs.