Global Practice, Local License: Navigating International Telepsychology as a Filipino Mental Health Professional

Lately, I've been getting more and more inquiries from kababayans and even non-Filipinos living abroad who are looking for therapy or psychological support. It's amazing how technology has opened up so many possibilities for us to connect and offer help across borders! But with this exciting growth comes a whole new set of things to think about, not just for those of us getting these requests, but also for Filipino psychologists who might be considering this path.

Here are some of the key eareas we really need to be mindful of:

License Limitations: The Reality Check

Let's address the most crucial point first: our Philippine psychology license, while valuable and hard-earned, has geographic boundaries. When providing services to clients physically located in another country, we generally become subject to that country's regulations regarding psychological practice. Another crucial point is where the client physically is when we're doing our session. Not where we are, and not just what license we hold. Teletherapy rules are all about this – it's the client's location that matters most. Why? Because they're protected by the laws and regulations of where they are, especially when it comes to healthcare, mental health included.

The uncomfortable truth: Most countries require practitioners to be licensed in the jurisdiction where the client is physically located during sessions. This means that technically, providing psychotherapy to someone in the United States or Canada or Europe without being licensed there could potentially violate their laws, regardless of our qualifications here.

Now, I know it might sound like we're being restrictive, but this isn't about shutting anyone out. It's about playing by the rules – international rules, at that! These rules are there for some pretty important reasons:

• Keeping clients safe: They need to be somewhere with a system they can turn to if something goes wrong.

• Making sure we're held accountable: We need to follow the laws of the place where we're offering services.

• Keeping up standards: Every region has its own way of doing things, and standards need to be kept consistent there.

Honestly, unless we have the right papers to practice where the client is, doing sessions across borders can get us into some tricky legal and ethical situations. It's absolutely vital that we, as Filipino psychologists, understand and respect these limits. We need to do this for the integrity of our profession and, most importantly, to make sure we're taking care of our clients the way they deserve.

International Licensing: More Complex Than It Seems

For those considering obtaining additional licenses abroad, be prepared for significant requirements:

• Educational equivalency assessments: Many countries require a doctorate for clinical practice (our master's degrees may not be sufficient)

• Additional examinations: Country-specific licensing exams

• Supervised practice hours: Often requiring in-country experience

• Application fees and annual renewal costs: Sometimes reaching thousands of dollars per jurisdiction

Things like the PSYPACT in the US or MRAs (Mutual Recognition Agreements) in places like ASEAN sound promising for making it easier for professionals to move around, but based on what I've learned, they don't currently offer a straightforward path for someone licensed only in the Philippines to automatically practice telepsychology in those regions. Each country—and sometimes each state or province within countries—maintains its own requirements.

Data Privacy: A Critical Consideration

Our responsibilities to protect client information become more complex across borders:

• Philippine requirements: We must comply with our Data Privacy Act (RA 10173)

• Client location requirements: We must simultaneously adhere to privacy laws where our clients are located:

  • GDPR for European clients (with significant penalties for violations)

  • HIPAA-level protections for US clients

  • Country-specific regulations elsewhere

This necessitates using secured, encrypted platforms, implementing stricter data handling protocols, and potentially obtaining additional certifications for international compliance.

The Coaching Alternative: A Possible Pathway

One approach some have adopted is offering "coaching" rather than psychotherapy services internationally. While our Psychology Act encompasses coaching within our scope of practice, internationally this distinction matters:

• Coaching is generally less regulated globally

• Clear service boundaries must be established

• Explicit disclaimers are essential, stating you are:

  • Not providing psychotherapy

  • Not diagnosing or treating mental health conditions

  • Operating within a coaching framework only

Even when operating as a coach, remember that we remain bound by our ethical responsibilities as licensed psychologists in the Philippines.

Essential Practical Safeguards

For those proceeding with international telepsychology or coaching, ensure you meet all legal and regulatory requirements to practice in the client’s location. implement these critical safeguards:

• Enhanced informed consent documents addressing:

  • Jurisdictional limitations and licensing disclosures

  • Emergency protocols specific to the client's location

  • Confidentiality limitations in digital environments

  • Technology failure contingency plans

• Cultural competence development for each client's context:

  • Beyond basic cultural awareness

  • Understanding of mental health systems in their location

  • Familiarity with local resources and referral options

• Emergency preparation:

  • Local crisis resources in each client's area

  • Contact information for nearby emergency services

  • A designated local professional contact when possible

• Technical infrastructure:

  • Enterprise-grade secure video platforms (not consumer apps)

  • End-to-end encryption for all communications

  • Secure documentation systems

Practical Approaches for Philippine-Based Psychologists

Based on my research and experience, here are viable approaches for Filipino psychologists interested in international practice:

1. Partner with established international telehealth platforms that handle regulatory compliance and can legally employ or contract you (this may mean requiring you to meet all the legal and regulatory requirements in that country)

2. Focus on a single international jurisdiction where you can fully comply with all requirements (rather than trying to serve clients everywhere)

3. Clearly define services as coaching with appropriate limitations and disclaimers when working with clients abroad

4. Develop referral relationships with licensed professionals in common client locations

5. Consult with international healthcare attorneys before establishing any international practice

Real Experience: Lessons Learned

When I received my first inquiry from a Filipino client in Canada, I was initially enthusiastic but unprepared for the complexities. After researching Canada's requirements, I realized I couldn't legally provide psychotherapy there without additional licensing.

Instead, I:

• Had an honest conversation about limitations

• Helped connect them with a local Filipino-Canadian therapist

• Offered a single consultation focused on referral rather than treatment

This experience taught me that sometimes the most ethical service we can provide is guiding clients to appropriate local resources.

Moving Forward Together

The opportunity to serve clients globally is indeed exciting and showcases the value of our Filipino perspective in psychology. However, our commitment to ethical practice must guide every decision.

Para sa ating propesyon at para sa mga kliyenteng nangangailangan ng ating tulong, siguraduhin natin na tayo ay naglilingkod nang may buong puso at integridad, saan man umabot ang ating serbisyo.