Article

Critical Ethical Issues in Online Counseling: Assessing Current Practices With an Ethical Intent Checklist

December 2006
Journal of counseling and development: JCD 84(1)

DOI:10.1002/j.1556-6678.2006.tb00378.x

Authors:

The authors used a 16-item Ethical Intent Checklist, developed from the American Counseling Association's (1999) Ethical Standards for Internet Online Counseling, to assess the current practices of 88 online counseling Web sites. Results showed fewer than half of online counselors were following the accepted practice on 8 of the 16 items. Online counselors who identified themselves as licensed or as association members had significantly higher mean checklist scores. © 2006 by the American Counseling Association. All rights reserved.

Client’s Experiences of Online Counseling: Satisfaction and Therapeutic AllianceDanışanların Çevrimiçi Psikolojik Danışma Deneyimleri: Memnuniyet ve Terapötik İşbirliği

Article

Apr 2022

Online counseling has been increasingly becoming widespread. Nevertheless, the number of studies investigating counselees' online counseling experience in-depth is scarce, especially in Turkey, despite the proliferation of the service. Therefore, this phenomenological study aims to understand the experiences of participants who received online counseling regarding satisfaction and therapeutic alliance. For this purpose, semi-structured interviews were conducted with six participants. Thematic analysis was applied to explore their satisfaction with online counseling and therapeutic alliance. The results showed that three themes emerged for satisfaction with online counseling; improvements in the symptoms, the flexibility of the online counseling, and limitations of online counseling. Thematic analysis of therapeutic alliance revealed the themes; goals, tasks, and bond. As a result, the participants reported high satisfaction with the online sessions, and they were able to establish a therapeutic alliance with their counselor in setting goals, seeking solutions to problems, and bonding. Overall, most of the participants reported positive experiences with online counseling in terms of improvement in their situation and establishing significant relationships with their counselor over the Internet.

A Pilot Survey of the Integration of Technology into Counseling Practice

Article

Apr 2019

A random sample of 218 American Counseling Association members responded to a survey related to the integration of technology into the field of counseling pertaining to perceptions of possible barriers and benefits to providing online counseling. Results indicate that 11% of respondents currently provide some type of online counseling and that less than 20% of respondents would consider providing online counseling. Respondents identified both potential barriers and benefits of online counseling indicating that while counselors can recognize benefits to online counseling, they are still wary of potential challenges. Implications for the counseling field and future research directions are discussed.

Client's Experiences of Online Counseling: Satisfaction and Therapeutic Alliance

Article

Full-text available

May 2022

The Future is Here: Ethical Practices of Telemental Health

Article

Jan 2016

The use of technology has already impacted the practices of mental health professionals. For example, websites are utilized to advertise and provide information to prospective clients. Cell phones, email, and websites are used to quickly make and cancel appointments as well as take payments. Taking the next step of utilizing a range of telemental health services can greatly increase the counseling services offered by mental health professionals while meeting the needs of underserved populations. However, necessary considerations must be made to provide these services in an ethical manner. In this article, we summarize the ethical codes from the major mental health professions as they pertain to telemental health, and we also offer practical suggestions as to how to expand one's practice while offering telemental health services according to the highest ethical standards. We will focus primarily on discussing ethical standards as they pertain to videoconferencing.

The Effectiveness of Online Counseling for University Students in Turkey: A Non-Randomized Controlled Trial

Article

Full-text available

Apr 2021

Online counseling is a mental health intervention between the counselee and the counselor using digital technologies computers or smartphones. A growing number of counselors have been providing counseling via the Internet. However, there are mixed findings regarding the effectiveness of online counseling when compared traditional face-to-face counseling and other modalities. Thus, the main purpose of the study was to investigate the effectiveness of online individual counseling compared to face-to-face counseling, and a control group regarding subjective well-being. To that end, a total of 60 college students were assigned to one of the three groups (21 online, 24 face-to-face, and 15 control). The instruments of the study were the Satisfaction with Life Scale, the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule, and the Brief Symptom Inventory. In order to examine the effectiveness of online counseling comparing to face-to-face counseling and control group, Mixed design (split-plot) ANOVA was employed. The findings of mixed ANOVA revealed that there was no significant interaction effect for the subjective well-being of the participants in different groups indicating that the three groups did not differ regarding subjective well-being scores measured over three times (pre-test, post-test, and follow-up). Nevertheless, the main effect for the group was significant indicating that the scores of the participants in the face-to-face counseling group regarding positive and negative affect changed significantly. Findings and implications were discussed regarding the relevant literature and some suggestions were offered.

Necessary and good: A literature review exploring ethical issues for online counselling with children and young people who have experienced maltreatment

Article

Full-text available

Dec 2020

The World Health Organization categorised the Corona virus as a public health emergency of international concern. As a result of this declaration, a raft of procedures to stem the spread of the virus to safeguard the health and safety of its citizens was enacted by the Australian Government. The promotion of social isolation and distancing were among these measures. The governmental social distancing measures put in place in Australia resulted in a curtailing of face-to-face work and moving to online service delivery for many agencies who provide counselling for children/young people who have experienced maltreatment. This article presents the findings of a review of the literature on the pertinent ethical issues in relation to online counselling. The results of the review highlighted common ethical issues discussed across the literature, with a major gap in the literature focusing on issues for children and young people and a continued privileging of the adult voice over children and young people’s needs.

International Journal of Psychology and Educational Studies The Validity And Reliability Of The Turkish Version Of The Online Counseling And Face-To-Face Counseling Attitudes Scale

Article

Full-text available

Jan 2014

OCAS and FCAS loaded on four factors and the factors were named Value of Online Counseling (OC-V), Discomfort with Online Counseling (OC-D), Value of Face-to-Face Counseling (FC-V) and Discomfort with Face-to-Face Counseling (FC-D). The results of confirmatory factor analysis indicated that the four dimensional model was well fit (x²=323.61, df=157, p=0.00000, RMSEA=.056, NFI=.94, CFI=.96, IFI=.96, RFI=.92, GFI=.91, and SRMR=.071). Factor loadings ranged from .47 to .88. The internal consistency coefficients of four subscales were .84, .80, .88 and .78. Overall, findings demonstrated that OCAS and FCAS may be used as a valid and reliable instrument in order to assess attitudes toward online counseling and face to face counseling of individuals.

Early separations: Dropout from online and face-to-face counseling

Article

Full-text available

Sep 2019

In this study, dropout from counseling sessions were investigated in order to examine the underlying causes of dropout. Forty-five university students who applied for counseling but dropped out after the preliminary interview or after any of the sessions participated in the study. The data of the research were collected by Counseling Dropout Survey that was developed by researchers. In this study, frequency distribution and percentages were calculated. Content analysis was used in the analysis of quantitative data. At the end of the study, mostly indicated reasons of dropout were busy schedule in university or at work, decrease in motivation and their belief that the methods used in the counseling would not help their improvement. It has also been found that the clients who drop out particularly after the first or second session have a negative attitude towards counseling process in general.

Çevrimiçi Psikolojik Danışmada Etik ve Standartlar: Bir Model Önerisi Ethics and Standards for Online Counseling: A Model Proposal

Article

Full-text available

Mar 2018

ÖZ İnternet’in sağladığı olanakların her geçen gün gelişmesi ile birlikte bireyler psikolojik danışma hizmetlerini de artık çevrimiçi (online) yollarla almaya başlamışlardır. Çevrimiçi psikolojik danışma, fiziksel ya da ruhsal sağlık sorunları ya da ekonomik nedenlerle evden dışarı çıkamayanlar; yüz yüze psikolojik yardım alabileceği kurum ve kuruluşlardan uzak bölgelerde yaşayanlar; sık sık seyahate çıkmak zorunda olanlar; kendilerini yüz yüze olmayan iletişimde daha rahat ifade edenler; ruh sağlığı merkezlerine gittiklerinde etiketlenmekten endişe yaşayanlar gibi çeşitli gruplar için oldukça avantajlı bir yardım biçimi olarak kabul edilmektedir. Dünya genelinde çevrimiçi psikolojik danışma ile ilgili standart belirlemiş kuruluş örnekleri ve bu alanda yapılmış çeşitli çalışmalar bulunurken, Türkiye’de çevrimiçi psikolojik danışma hizmeti veren uzmanlar için standartlar sunan çalışmalara rastlamak oldukça zordur. Bu çalışmada çevrimiçi psikolojik danışma konusunda Türkiye için standartlar ve bu standartların bir parçası olarak çevrimiçi uygulamalarda etik ilkelerin neler olması gerektiği tartışılmış ve öneriler sunulmuştur. Anahtar kelimeler: Çevrimiçi Psikolojik Danışma, Çevrimiçi Psikolojik Danışmada Etik İlkeler, Etik, Standartlar, Teknoloji ABSTRACT As the possibilities of the Internet develop with each passing day, people have begun to take advantage of the psychological counseling services offered through online platforms. Online counseling has emerged as a means of accessing psychological assistance for those who cannot leave their place of residence due to physical or mental health issues, those with economic problems, those who live far away from institutions providing psychological help, those who travel extensively, those who can express themselves more easily online than through face-to-face communication, and those who may have anxiety about labeling when consulting a mental health center. There are various standards in place around the world related to online counseling, but in Turkey, counselors working in online counseling media are subject to no such guidelines. This research discusses the standards in Turkey related to online counseling, and suggests some ethical principles that should be included in such standards.

The online counseling effect of clients with psychological or physical distress (Preprint)

Preprint

Aug 2018

Chu-Mei Lan

BACKGROUND Computer technology and the Internet have rapidly developed that makes the counselors increase options in providing health services to their clients. OBJECTIVE This study determined the effects of e-mail counseling on clients with psychological or physical distress. METHODS The author selected 8 counselors to conduct approximately 7–13 sessions of e-mail counseling for 14 clients. This study divided clients into two experimental groups: one with five college students with disabilities and the other with nine individuals from the general population. Structured questionnaires were administered to the clients and counselors. Nonparametric statistics was used as the analysis method. RESULTS The results revealed that the psychological or physical distress of the clients significantly improved after e-mail counseling. CONCLUSIONS Online counseling is an effective strategy to offer the colleges with disabilities to deal with their psychological or physical distress.

Toward a Human Rights Agenda: Social Issues That Have Shaped Psychology in the United States

Article

Jan 2016

The history of psychology is comparably brief relative to many other fields of study. Within this brief history, beginning in the late 19th century, there have been tremendous, impactful shifts and the coalescence of multiple events that have shaped the development of psychology, which has likewise impacted society. Rapid social, political, cultural, and technological changes have dramatically altered the experience of each successive generation, and the science of psychology has adapted to each change to remain relevant, effective, and innovative. The impact of these widespread changes has affected the ways in which psychologists study human behavior and practice psychotherapy. In many cases, psychology and psychologists have been the catalyst for change, discovering and dispensing evidence to support change and serving as advocates and activists for progressive social change. Issues related to human rights and social justice have markedly influenced the evolution of psychology. Since psychology’s infancy, great strides have been made toward advancing the rights of historically marginalized groups, including women, children, people of color, people with disabilities, and the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community. The psychology literature both reflects and contributes to these advancements. Historically, psychological theory and research was based primarily on the study of White men (Hegarty & Buechel, 2006). However, in the last 40 years, there has been an increase in the number of psychological studies that capture the experiences of diverse groups of people (Jackson, 2006). Accordingly, psychological theory has become more representative of the U.S and other Western populations, as well as Eastern and global cultures. This movement toward a more inclusive study of human behavior is, in large part, a response to national efforts such as the Civil Rights and Gay Liberation Movements. Although psychological research remains biased toward privileged groups (Organista, Marin, & Chun, 2010), the evolution in psychology represents an important acknowledgment of the changing demographics, enhanced understanding of the impact of privilege and oppression, and the need for social justice. In this chapter, we will review major social movements and events that shaped the landscape of psychology. We will examine how psychological fields of study, theories, and practice, as well as psychology’s governing body, the American Psychological Association (APA), have impacted and been impacted by these social movements. Of particular note, this chapter will explore the impact of various social movements on psychology within the United States (U.S.). Although these social movements have often reflected more global phenomena, the discussion will be limited to those social issues that significantly impacted psychology in the U.S. While we acknowledge the many additional global social issues that have shaped the practice of psychology over time, they are beyond the scope of this chapter.

Online Work Experiences Of Psychological Counselors During The Covid-19 Pandemic: A Metaphorical Analysis

Article

Full-text available

Sep 2022

Semra Kiye

Covid-19, which has affected the whole world since the last month of 2019, has negatively affected face-to-face education. İn Turkey, education was conducted online due to the pandemic. The aim of this research is to metaphorically analyze and describe how the psychological counselors who working in schools and the GRCs perceive guidance and psychological counseling services that they provide online in the 2020/2021 academic year. This research was conducted based on a qualitative approach. The study group of the research consists of 166 psychological counselors, 113 women and 53 men, aged between 25-60, working in schools and GRCs. In the analysis of the data, the metaphor analysis method, which is included in the content analysis method, was used. As a result of the analysis of the research data, it was determined that a total of 130 metaphors were determined according to the perceptions of the psychological counselors. Based on the meanings of these 130 metaphors, it is understood that they are gathered under five themes. These themes are gain, negativity, deficiency/limitation, uncertainty, worry/difficulty. According to these results, it can be said that the metaphorical perceptions of psychological counselors towards online guidance and psychological counseling services are not generally positive.

Online Counseling and Ethics: A Systematic Review of Empirical Research

Article

Jan 2022

This study aims to review empirical studies on ethical issues in online counseling. In line with the criteria of this research, articles were searched in the Web of Science database; empirical research articles that collected data from mental health professionals, published between 2000-2021 years in psychology and counseling journals and indexed in SSCI were included. Seventeen articles that met the inclusion criteria were found. Nine different ethical issues were discovered according to the findings from these articles. Respectively, maintaining confidentiality and privacy, need for a separate competency to perform online counseling, providing security, and difficulty of intervening in crisis situations due to physical distances, client verification, risk assessment, boundary issues, and unclear circumstances for possible malpractice in online counseling were the ethical issues stated in the reviewed articles. To conclude, it is crucial to have clear, comprehensive, and detailed ethical standards for effectively dealing with these ethical concerns by examining evidence-based research so that mental health professionals can adjust more effective practices.

University Students' Views, Preferences and Suggestions with Respect to Online Counseling

Conference Paper

Sep 2021

Information and communication technologies (ICT) become indispensable parts of daily lives and have diffused to almost every area of our lives such as education, trade, entertainment, socialization, art, sport, and health. Similarly, mental health disciplines expose to change and transformation with the integration of ICT; and online counseling (OC) has emerged as a new modality of counseling. Distance counseling, e-therapy, and cybertherapy, are other terminologies using interchangeably for OC (American Counseling Association [ACA], 2014; Manhal-Baugus, 2001; Suler, 2000). OC is defined as “any delivery of mental and behavioral health services, by a licensed practitioner to a client in a non-face-to-face setting through distance communication technologies such as the telephone, asynchronous e-mail, synchronous chat, and videoconferencing” (Mallen & Vogen, 2005, p. 764). Formerly face-to-face counseling is the predominant way of receiving counseling but now OC is being used as an alternative. Mallen et al. (2005), indicated that OC might be a feasible service especially for people who are typically isolated. During 2020, after the breakout of worldwide COVID-19 pandemic, this situation seems to be applying to millions of people around the globe (World Health Organization [WHO], 2020). The study conducted in Spanish speaking countries in March 2020 revealed that more than half of the internet users are willing to consult online mental health services (Yanhaas, 2020a; 2020b). Wellness and remote health consultation applications are considered in the fast-growing zone in mobile app categories. (Ericsson Consumer & IndustryLab, 2020). At the time being, while the percentage of mental health practitioners who offers online services before COVID-19 was only 36%, in May 2020, 85% of the respondent practitioners indicated that they use online services with more than ¾ of their clients (American Psychiatric Association [APA], 2020). OC has become increasingly popular but there isn’t a consensus on the effectiveness of it. Although OC has many pros, it is criticized for cons such as not fulfilling the counseling process requirements and violation of ethical principles. One of the widely accepted advantages of OC is accessibility. OC removes physical distance barriers to reach out the experts, provides more flexible time slots and also gives opportunity to people with disability or phobia (Pollock, 2006). In addition, some types of OC are cheaper compared to face-to-face counseling (Sampson, Kolodinsky, & Greeno,1997). Although it has benefits, it has raised concerns especially in ethical principals. Providing confidentiality, security, privacy, maintaining therapeutic alliance, dealing with technical problems, losing nonverbal clues are some of the reported concerns (Tanrikulu, 2009). While all these discussions and critics on OC are going on, OC continues to be used in different areas such as marriage and family counseling (Jencius & Sager, 2001), career counseling (Balke, Kruzic, & Way, 2017), tobacco-cessation program (Mallen, Blalock, & Cincirpini, 2006), depression (Christensen, Griffiths, & Jorm, 2004) and etc. Its usage has been expected to widespread and increased (Tanrikulu, 2009). At this point, it is important to examine the views of those who will take OC service. The largest portion of this potential group constitutes of university students. OC usage has been increasing among university students because they are familiar with ICT (Maples & Han, 2008). In this context, the purpose of the study is to examine the university students’ views, preferences and suggestions for improving OC services. The research questions of the study were: 1) What are the opinions of university students’ regarding the advantages and disadvantages of OC? 2) Which formats of OC do university students prefer to use? 3) What subjects do university students prefer to receive OC? 4) What do university students suggest to improve the effectiveness of OC services at universities? In the current study, a phenomenological qualitative research design was utilized. Researchers conducted two studies with the same purpose and method by considering the effect of COVID 19 on participants’ views and experiences. In study 1, data were collected before the COVID 19 pandemic. In study 2, data were collected during COVID 19 pandemic. In total, 21 university students (Study 1: 6 females, 4 males, age range 19-25; Study 2: 6 females, 5 males, age range 19-27) participated in the study. In order to collect data, researchers developed a semi-structured Online Counseling Interview Form (OCIF) by reviewing the literature. After generating the interview questions, three cognitive interviews were conducted with university students and two expert opinions were received. OCIF has two sections. The first section includes questions related to demographic information such as gender, age, faculty. The second section includes questions on students’ views, preferences and suggestions regarding the OC. Some sample questions are: “What could be the advantages of OC?”, “What are your suggestions for increasing the effectiveness of OC services at universities?” After taking the approval of the ethics committee of the university, participants were invited to study by email or phone. Before the interviews, each volunteer participant read the written consent forms and signed it. In study 1, all of the interviews were face to face and recorded with a tape recorder. But in study 2, interviews were online and recorded by the videoconferencing programs. Interviews lasted approximately thirty minutes. Recorded interviews were transcribed verbatim and data were analyzed by descriptive analysis method. In order to increase the internal reliability, coding was done by two researchers independently. Afterwards, the consistency of the coding was checked and it was seen that they were compatible with each other to a great extent. After clarifying the common codes and themes, the quotations that best express these themes were selected. Participants of Study 1(n1) and Study 2 (n2) reported advantages of OC as cheaper cost (n1, n2 = 7, 5), increased accessibility (n1, n2 = 7, 2), saving time and energy (n1, n2 = 6, 10), flexible scheduling (n1, n2 = 6, 7), sense of comfort/ easier self-disclosure (n1, n2 = 5, 6), anonymity (n1, n2 = 4, 4), providing opportunity for reaching specialists that are far away (n1, n2 = 5, 5), having access to counseling services without leaving their comfort zone (n1, n2 = 3, 5), and privacy (n1, n2 = 2, 4). Disadvantages of OC were reported as lack of face to face communication (n1, n2 = 10, 10), problems with technology (n1, n2 = 7, 10), the probability of recording sessions without consent (n1, n2 = 6, 2), and violation of privacy (n1, n2 = 2, 9). Most of the participants in Study 1 and 2 preferred to use synchronous format [video call (n1, n2 = 6, 11) and phone call (n1, n2 = 6, 9)] as their first two choices, and asynchronous formats [text-message (n1, n2 = 5, 8) and e-mail (n1, n2 = 7, 9)] as their last two choices. They did not prefer OC for their personal problems which required in-depth self-disclosure such as sexual abuse, family problems, substance use but they preferred to use it in more common problems such as career planning, academic concerns, and Internet addiction. For improving the effectiveness of OC in universities participants made suggestions about announcement, format and administration of OC. Some of their suggestions were preparing announcement which built students’ trust in the efficacy of OC, providing OC services in multiple format, developing programs to categorize students’ problems, increasing the number of counselors who can give OC services, creating phone line for urgent problem areas.

Cyber Counseling Sebagai Metode Meningkatkan Layanan Bimbingan dan Konseling di Sekolah: Literature Review

Article

Full-text available

May 2021

div> Pengguna internet semakin berkembang pesat karena kemajuan teknologi informasi dan komunikasi. Hampir semua masyarakat di dunia menggunakan internet dalam kehidupan sehari-hari. Semakin berkembangnya teknologi juga berpengaruh terhadap pemberian layanan bimbingan dan konseling terutama di sekolah. Di era globalisasi ini, layanan konseling online atau cyber counseling sangat dibutuhkan para konselor atau guru bimbingan konseling karena dapat memberikan layanan tanpa terbatas jarak dan waktu. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk membahas mengenai penerapan cyber counseling di sekolah. Diketahui ada beberapa cara yang digunakan untuk melakukan konseling online, diantaranya yaitu: melalui email , facebook , chat asynchronous , aplikasi riliv , video conference , handphone , dan website . Para guru bimbingan konseling dan konselor diharapkan untuk terus meningkatkan kemampuan dalam menggunakan teknologi informasi dan komunikasi. </div

European Journal of Educational Research Mediating Role of Self-Disclosure in the Relationship between Attitudes towards Online Counselling and Perception of Social Stigma due to Receiving Psychological Help

Article

Full-text available

Apr 2021

People have needed mental health services more and more during Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. Due to the contagious nature of the COVID-19 virus, online counseling has been preferred more during the COVID-19 pandemic. Those who need such mental health services might take actions to seek help by demanding psychological assistance from psychological counselors or mental health institutions. However, these people might avoid seeking and receiving such help when they think that they have a weak personality or they somehow will be criticized by the society or experience social stigma because they seek psychological help. This study aims to examine the mediating role of self-disclosure between attitudes towards online counselling and perception of social stigma due to receiving psychological help. Participants of the study consist of 519 adults who live in Turkey and are older than 18 years old. The data for the study were collected through "Distress Disclosure Index", "Online Counseling Attitudes Scale (OCAS)", "Stigma Scale for Receiving Psychological Help (SSRPH)" and "Personal Information Form". The hypothetical model developed in order to determine whether self-disclosure mediates in the relationship between perception of social stigma due to receiving psychological help and online psychological counselling attitudes was tested through SEM (Structural Equation Modeling). The results of the study revealed that self-disclosure play partial mediating role between perception of social stigma and value of online counselling and discomfort with online counselling.

Beyond the dawn. A literature review on technology assisted therapeutic group work interventions for children and young people who experienced maltreatment

Article

Full-text available

Mar 2021

Mary Jo McVeigh

With the arrival of COVID in Australia and the necessary social distancing measures put in place by the Federal and State Governments many social work services had to move to delivering services to an online platform. This happened relatively quickly and with little or no training for practitioners. This paper presents the findings of a literature review on the use of technology-assisted therapeutic group work intervention with children and young people who experienced maltreatment. The review found a variety of technological platforms of varying effectiveness to engage children and young people therapeutically. However, there was a gap in the scholarship in relation to online group work with children and young people and children and young people who experienced maltreatment. The conclusion to this paper is a therapeutic positioning for more research into technology-assisted therapeutic group work and a call for the epistemic privileging of young people and children and young people in service design and delivery.

From the perspective of the students: Reporting counselor educators teaching practices

Article

Jan 2021

Alvin Odon Insorio

Online Counseling Sebagai Alternatif Strategi Konselor dalam Melaksanakan Pelayanan E-Counseling di Era Industri 4.0

Article

Full-text available

Sep 2020

Asti Haryati

The use of media in providing counseling services greatly affects the skills of counselors in conducting counseling through virtual internet media. The development of communication technology in the era of 4.0 makes counselors more familiar with, utilizing and applying counseling media virtually via the internet. The development of communication technology requires counselors to innovate, especially in providing e-counseling services as a forum for counselors to provide alternative solutions to problems faced by counselees. This research method is descriptive qualitative research, the source of this research data comes from document studies in the form of books and previous research which is used as a source of data that supports research. The results of this study indicate that online counseling is in the form of virtual counseling technology media, namely: websites, telephones or cellphones, email, video conferencing, chat, instant messaging, computers and other social media networks. The ethics that must be considered by online counselors are how to establish good relationships via the internet, confidentiality aspects in the implementation of counseling, legal aspects in telecommunications via the internet and licensing. Thus online counselors are required to work professionally by paying attention to ethics in the implementation of online counseling.

Enhancing Mathematical Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving Skills through Emergenetics® as a Grouping Mechanism

Article

Full-text available

Nov 2020

Family Therapy –Ethical Issues from an Indian Standpoint

Article

Full-text available

Sep 2018

Establishment of Online Platform for Psychological Assistance during a Public Health Emergency

Article

Full-text available

Jan 2020

Online therapeutic methods: A systematic review

Article

Full-text available

May 2022
CURR PSYCHOL

The purpose of this systematic review was to evaluate which available online therapeutic methods, could be utilized as an alternative to conventional face-to-face therapy for individuals suffering from various mental health disorders. Database searches were conducted using topic-related search terms and predetermined inclusion criteria. The final collection of articles used for this systematic review was comprised of 8 articles. Randomized control trials were used for 7 of the studies, while the only exception was a randomized parallel group trial. This systematic review evaluated the influence of the interventions on the respective study participants. Each study reported notable results, which indicated that dispensing online Cognitive Behavioral Therapy was a viable means of reducing the symptoms of certain mental health disorders. The involvement of a therapist also demonstrated better results than self-help programs, even if only slightly, and usually the positive effects of treatment lasted longer when a therapist-client relationship was present. This was evidenced in post-treatment follow-ups. Online therapy displayed promise in the treatment of certain mental health disorders. A therapeutic alliance was shown to be an important aspect in determining treatment outcomes and more research is required into the application of online therapeutic methods in developing contexts.

A Survey of the Mobile Phone-Based Interventions for Violence Prevention Among Women

Article

Full-text available

Apr 2020

Information Communication Technologies (ICT), particularly mobile phone technology, has increased the propinquity between individuals by enhancing their ability to frequently communicate with one another through different mediums, like text, audio, video, and emojis. Cell phone technology is being used to combat various social issues, including several public health-related problems such as violence against women. Over the past two decades several cellphone-based apps, including Circle of 6, MyPlan, Panic Button, and Aspire News have been developed in several countries to prevent violence against women. Anecdotal evidence suggests that these apps are effective both as violence prevention and as an intervention tool in public as well as private spaces. However, very little awareness exists among social workers about these mobile phone applications (apps), particularly the capabilities and limitations of these apps. Based on a brief survey and classification of the existing mobile phone apps designed to prevent violence against women, this paper aims to explain how these apps work, and point out their capabilities and limitations so that social workers and public health professionals can better guide their clients in using these technology-based services. It is highly recommended that social workers evaluate how their clients are affected by the use or non-use of violence prevention apps and advocate for their client’s right to digital literacy and internet access.

Factors facilitating effective university - industry collaboration in the South Pacific region

Article

Jan 2017

Ethics And Legal Issues In Online Counseling Services: Counseling Principles Analysis

Article

Dec 2017

Perceptions towards Online Counseling among University of Jordan Students

Article

Full-text available

Nov 2017

Adel Tannous

Technology and the use of internet has taken counseling service beyond the face-to-face to online counseling services. Online counseling has been available and widely used as more people are going online. Therefore this research aims to examine the perceptions of University of Jordan students toward online counseling. A sample of 210 respondents were selected to complete online questionnaire that contains two aspects of knowledge about and attitude toward online Counseling. The results of the study indicated that respondents have adequate information about the field of online counseling. However, face to face counseling was not the first preferences for most of the respondents. They have a positive attitude and a high level of preferring toward online counseling, and they believe that online counseling is an essential part of their way to deal with daily life problems. The results also indicated that social media is most effective way that help respondents to get online counseling, and it has tremendous effect on respondent's life.

Video Art in Counselling and Therapy: Methods and Applications

Article

Full-text available

Apr 2021

This paper examines the use of video in the practice and methodology of counselling and therapy, attempting an overall literature review and critical evaluation of its applications up to date. Traditionally, video has been used as a form of feedback in the context of therapy and counselling, as well as in the education of therapists and counsellors. In the current practice of psychology, the use of video is not restricted solely within the therapeutic session, but can also be extended to the in-between periods, that is the time periods between meetings/sessions. The use of video is aimed at responding to specific problems, emotional and cognitive distortions, which appear as a result of people's traumatic experiences. Video has multiple applicationsin counselling as well as Art therapies, such as drama therapy, visual therapy etc. The technological possibilities of video can be utilized in the context of adopting strategies that reinforce interaction with patients and interplay during artistic therapeutic activities. Besides, designing therapeutic approaches based on creating films and videos has been placed in the centre of innovative endeavours. The use of video affects therapeutic change along with responses, the experiences of counsellees and counsellors, it improves and reinforces the result of therapy and counselling.

Recent Approaches in Counseling and Psychotherapy

Chapter

Jul 2022

Boshra Ahmed Arnout

There are growing studies on quality-of-life interventions. And the studies conducted on the effectiveness of quality of life interventions in European and American countries were large-scale, and they included different samples of normal individuals who suffer from physical, mental, and psychological diseases. In the Arab countries, studies of quality of life interventions were less comprehensive for specific types of individuals, especially patients. In general, most of these studies used the experimental and quasi-experimental quantitative methodology. However, we still need to use the mixed research methodology further to expand the study of the interventions' effectiveness.

비대면 상담 윤리강령 기초 연구 (The Preliminary Study for the Non face-to-face Counseling Code of Ethics)

Article

Oct 2021

With the recent recommendation of non face-to-face contact due to Covid-19 in Korea, non face-to-face counseling has been conducted nationwide. Various ethical issues may arise as the demand of non face-to-face counseling increases, but there is a lack of ethical codes for non face-to-face counseling in Korea which are the bases for proper response to these issues. The purpose of this study was to conduct the preliminary study to establish the ethical code of non face-to-face counseling and underscore the necessity of it. We examined the ethical issues regarding non face-to-face counseling, such as 1) counselors’ competencies, 2) clients’ rights and confidentiality, 3) anonymity, 4) counseling relationships, 5) emergency, and looked at the existing overseas and domestic ethical codes for non face-to-face counseling. Based on the analysis, we composed elements that should be included in ethical codes in Korea. Finally, based on the implications, significances, and limitations of the study, we proposed further research for non face-to-face counseling in Korea, and suggested for effective and ethical practice of non face-to-face counseling.

DIAGNOSTIC ABNORMALITAS MENURUT ISLAM DAN PSIKOLOGI

Article

Full-text available

Jul 2022

Firman Rismanto

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought major changes to human life. The most visible impact on the human psyche. Restrictions on socializing provide a major change in a person's mental state. Therefore, researchers make this condition as the object of research. This study aims to discuss the diagnostic contribution that forms the basis for drawing conclusions empirically. The role of psychology aims to reduce the concepts and theories of abnormality in Islam in the form of liver disease and stress that have an impact on psychophysiological disorders during the COVID-19 period. Expert judgment from both religious experts and psychologists is needed to make behavioral aspects and indicators easily captured in the form of observations, interviews and questionnaires. The results are in the form of a descriptive report that can be tested for validity and reliability regarding abnormal behavior from both religious and psychological approaches.Keywords: diagnostic, religion, psychology

BIMBINGAN KELOMPOK BERBASIS ONLINE DENGAN TEKNIK DISKUSI UNTUK SISWA SMP NEGERI 2 SOREANG YANG MEMILIKI MINAT BELAJAR BAHASA INGGRIS RENDAH

Article

Full-text available

Jan 2022

This study aims to obtain results from the implementation of online-based group guidance with discussion techniques for students of SMP Negeri 2 Soreang who have low interest in learning English, student responses after being given online-based group guidance for students of SMP Negeri 2 Soreang who have low interest in learning English. , as well as the problems faced by BK teachers and students when implementing online-based group guidance services for studentsof SMP Negeri 2 Soreang who have low interest in learning English. This research is a descriptive study with a qualitative approach where observations, interviews and documentation are used for data collection. In this study, the research population was taken from class VIII-H of SMP Negeri 2 Soreang, totaling 38 students, by taking a sample of 6 students. Where before the service was given, students seemed not enthusiastic about participating in learning, less active and always late in collecting assignments. The online-based group guidance was carried out in four meetings. The discussion at the first meeting discussed broad interests, the second meeting discussed interest in learning, the third meeting discussed the problems faced by students and their solutions, and at the fourth meeting evaluation and follow-up were carried out. The results showed a good impact where students were eager to learn, active in learning and discussion and able to be on time in submitting assignments.Keywords: Group Guidance, group discussion technique, student interest in english learning

Etika Profesi Konselor dalam Layanan Bimbingan Konseling Virtual

Article

Full-text available

Jan 2022

The purpose of this study was to describe the professional ethics of counselors in virtual counseling guidance services. The method used in this research is a literature study with a qualitative descriptive approach. The data sources come from document studies in the form of books and previous research from various references. Furthermore, the data analysis technique used is descriptive analysis. The results of this study indicate that online counseling takes the form of virtual counseling technology, namely, websites, telephone or cell phones, email, video conferencing, chat, instant messaging, computers, and other social networks. The ethical aspects that must be obeyed by online counselors are building good relationships on the Internet, confidentiality when conducting consultations, legal aspects of telecommunications via the Internet, and licensing. Therefore, online counselors need to be professional in conducting virtual counseling by considering ethics.

Online mental health resources in Wuhan amid the COVID-19 pandemic: the role of social workers

Article

Nov 2021

In Wuhan, a surge of online mental health services appeared amid the COVID-19 pandemic to meet the rapidly escalating demands. This article presents a snapshot of the available services and further categorises them into individual, organisational, governmental and international levels. The contribution and limitations of these services are analysed, and the role of social workers in the provision and integration of these services is reflected through a conceptual model. The proposed model as a response at this critical time not only facilitates the discussion on how mental health services in China should be adjusted and further developed in the post-COVID 19 era but also provides important strategies for other countries that are struggling with the delivery of mental health services amongst this public health crisis.网络精神健康服务在武汉新冠疫情期间涌现, 以回应不断快速上升的需求。这篇文章首先呈现了一幅这些服务的掠影, 进而将其分类为个人、组织、政府, 以及国际等不同层面。本文分析了这些服务的贡献和不足, 并通过一个概念模型反思社会工作者在提供和整合这些服务中的角色。该模型回应疫情关键时期的需要, 推动了关于中国精神健康服务在后疫情时代如何进一步调整发展的讨论。同时, 该模型也为其他正挣扎于疫情危机时期的国家, 提供了如何提供精神健康服务的重要策略。

#evdekal Türkiye: COVID-19 Sürecinde Çevrimiçi Grup Çalışmaları

Article

Full-text available

Dec 2020

The main aim of this research is to present studies in online groups which have been conducted during Covid-19 pandemic which occurred in Wuhan, China in December 2019 and spread all over the world. In this study, the psychological effects of the precautions which have been made to prevent the spread of Coronavirus, online group counseling, group therapy and psycho-education groups made in Turkey and in the world, the advantages and disadvantages of online group counseling, group therapy and psycho-education groups, the factors which caused the preference of online group counseling, group therapy and psycho-education groups were evaluated. The results and importance of online group counseling, psycho-education groups and group therapy commonly used were discussed. In addition to the knowledge about online group counseling, group therapy and psycho-education groups presented during Covid-19 pandemic, suggestions for future studies were also included.

DANIŞAN VE PSİKOLOJİK DANIŞMANIN PENCERESİNDEN TERAPÖTİK İŞBİRLİĞİ: ÇEVRİMİÇİ, YÜZ YÜZE VE PLASEBO GRUPLARININ KARŞILAŞTIRILMASI

Article

Full-text available

Jan 2020

Consiliere psihologica

Book

Full-text available

Oct 2020

Volumul de fata se adreseaza in primul rand masteranzilor in psihologie, psihologilor cu competente in consiliere, psihoterapie, psihologie clinica, dar si acelor persoane care prin natura profesiei acorda sprijin: cei care au nevoie de abilitati de consiliere ca parte integranta a rolurilor lor profesionale (coach, asistenti medicali, moase, medici, paramedici, voluntari in grupuri de suport, sau linii telefonice de urgenta). In plus, cartea poate fi folosita ca o introducere in abilitatile de consiliere pentru cei care intentioneaza sa se formeze ca psihologi consilieri.

PERBANDINGAN ANTARA KAUNSELING BERSEMUKA DAN E-KAUNSELING DALAM MEMBERI PERUBAHAN DAN KEPUASAN KLIEN ZAIDA NOR BT ZAINUDIN DOKTOR FALSAFAH UNIVERSITI PUTRA MALAYSIA 2010

Thesis

Full-text available

Jun 2010

Zaida Nor Zainudin

Penyelidikan ini adalah usaha untuk meneroka sejauh mana keberkesanan perkhidmatan E-Kaunseling apabila perkhidmatan ini ditawarkan di sekolah. Dalam penyelidikan ini, kejayaan perkhidmatan E-Kaunseling diukur dari segi kemampuan kaedah ini membawa perubahan dalam diri klien (Perubahan Klien) dan juga memberi kepuasan kepada klien (Kepuasan Klien). Kajian eksperimental-kuasi ini menggunakan reka bentuk Kumpulan Kawalan Tidak Serupa Ujian Pra Dan Ujian Pasca (Non-equivalent Control Group Pretest/Postest Design). Data kuantitatif diperolehi menggunakan soal selidik manakala data kualitatif diperolehi melalui balasan bertulis klien di ruang sembang (instant messenger). Seramai 60 subjek kajian terlibat dan dijalankan dalam dua kumpulan kajian iaitu kumpulan kawalan menggunakan kaedah Kaunseling Bersemuka dan kumpulan eksperimen pula menggunakan kaedah E-Kaunseling. Pendekatan yang digunakan ialah teori Pemusatan Perorangan oleh Carl Rogers. Dapatan kajian menunjukkan bahawa Kepuasan Klien dalam kaedah E-Kaunseling lebih tinggi berbanding Kepuasan Klien dalam kaedah Kaunseling Bersemuka. Malah, dapatan juga menunjukkan Perubahan Klien dalam kaedah E-Kaunseling juga lebih tinggi berbanding Perubahan Klien dalam kaedah Kaunseling Bersemuka. Penyelidikan ini juga melihat kesan trait personaliti dan jantina ke atas Kepuasan Klien dan Perubahan Klien dalam kedua-dua kaedah. Dapatan menunjukkan trait personaliti tidak mempunyai perbezaan mahupun hubungan ke atas Kepuasan Klien dan Perubahan Klien dalam kedua-dua kaedah kaunseling. Bagaimanapun terdapat perbezaan antara jantina dan Kepuasan Klien dalam kedua-dua kaedah dan hasil analisis Anova Dua hala menunjukkan terdapat perbezaan utama (main interaction) antara Jantina dan Kepuasan klien. Hasil analisis lanjut menggunakan Anova Sehala menunjukkan kesan interaksi (interaction effect) bahawa klien lelaki mendapat lebih kepuasan dalam kaedah E-kaunseling manakala klien perempuan mendapat lebih kepuasan dalam kaedah Kaunseling bersemuka.Kajian ini juga melihat hubungan antara pembolehubah Kepuasan Klien dan pembolehubah Perubahan Klien dan dapatan menunjukkan terdapat hubungan yang siginifikan kedua-dua pemboleh ubah bersandar ini namun hubungan berada di tahap rendah. Hasil kajian juga mengenalpasti faktor klien memilih perkhidmatan E-Kaunseling. Tujuh faktor yang telah dikenalpasti ialah kemampuan E-Kaunseling memberikan perkhidmatan mengatasi batasan masa, batasan jarak, mengatasi isu birokrasi kaunseling bersemuka dan juga mengatasi faktor stigma sosial. Selain itu E-Kaunseling juga memudahkan klien dalam proses meluahkan perasaan klien. E-Kaunseling juga memberi fokus kepada isu dan unsur anonimiti yang wujud dalam E-Kaunseling membuatkan klien selesa memilih perkhidmatan ini. Berdasarkan dapatan kajian adalah dicadangkan bahawa Kementerian Pelajaran Malaysia patut mengambil inisiatif untuk menjadikan E-Kaunseling sebagai satu cabang perkhidmatan di sekolah-sekolah. Penawaran perkhidmatan E-Kaunseling akan meluaskan lagi perkhidmatan yang ditawarkan oleh Unit Bimbingan dan Kaunseling kepada pelajar-pelajar. Malah dengan kepesatan ICT ini Kementerian Pelajaran Malaysia, kaunselor patut mengambil peluang ini untuk mendekatkan diri mereka kepada pelajar-pelajar dalam meluaskan jaringan perkhidmatan mereka.

OUT OF THE FRAME: BOUNDARIES in ONLINE PSYCHOTHERAPY Vol 8 #2

Article

Full-text available

Jul 2020

The Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification Code of Ethics: An Emerging Approach to Digital Technology

Article

Jun 2020

Background Rehabilitation counselors are becoming more adept at providing distance services. Objective Focused on the ethical use of digital technology, the purpose of this article is to highlight ethical considerations when using digital technologies professionally. Methods Reviewing the ethical standards of the 2017 Code of Professional Ethics for Rehabilitation Counselors, this article examines the current ethical standards governing the use of technology, distance counseling, and social media. Findings It is critical for rehabilitation counselors to understand how affordances and constraints of technology will continue to mediate the professional practice of rehabilitation counseling. Conclusion The professional practice of rehabilitation counseling will increasingly involve digital technology.

Ethical Issues in Online Psychotherapy: A Narrative Review

Article

Full-text available

Feb 2020

Background The provision of psychotherapy over distance using technology is a growing market reaching many patients and therefore the risks and benefits need to be known by all psychotherapists whether they themselves practice online or not. This comprehensive review of the main ethical arguments for and against different forms of online psychotherapy aims to enhance discussion of ethical issues in this growing area.MethodsA search of three databases (PubMed, PsycINFO, Web of Science) was conducted in August 2019 using a specific search protocol yielding 249 publications.ResultsOf 24 ethical arguments in favor of online psychotherapy and 32 against, the top five ethical arguments in favor of online psychotherapy were (1) increased access to psychotherapy and service availability and flexibility; (2) therapy benefits and enhanced communication; (3) advantages related to specific client characteristics (e.g. remote location); (4) convenience, satisfaction, acceptance, and increased demand; and (5) economic advantages. The top five ethical arguments against engagement in online psychotherapy were (1) privacy, confidentiality, and security issues; (2) therapist competence and need for special training; (3) communication issues specific to technology; (4) research gaps; and (5) emergency issues.Conclusions The findings may be of help to practitioners in deciding whether to engage in online psychotherapy, and in informing patients about risks and benefits, improving ethical guidelines, and stimulating further ethical discussion. The findings are argumentative and qualitative in nature, and further quantitative research is needed.

Evaluating Telehealth Websites for Information Consistent with APA Guidelines for Telepsychology

Article

Dec 2019

The authors evaluated websites offering therapeutic telehealth services (N = 55) using a 38-item checklist based on the American Psychological Association’s Guidelines for the Practice of Telepsychology (APA Guidelines) to determine the extent that online service providers included such information on their websites. On average, the websites reviewed addressed only 39% of the checklist criteria. These findings are disconcerting and suggest most providers’ websites do not include information that would help potential clients make informed decisions about online treatment. The authors urge more providers to consider offering telehealth services to increase the supply of qualified providers in response to growing consumer demand.

Ethical Aspects of Online Psychotherapy

Chapter

Nov 2019

Online psychotherapy is a fast-growing, low-threshold option to deliver mental healthcare services. In the present chapter, the different terminologies and definitions of online psychotherapy are discussed and a broad overview of the used information technologies is given. Furthermore, the most important ethical arguments debated in the literature are discussed by reviewing, on the one hand, the arguments in favor of online psychotherapy like increased access to care, improvement of treatment, anonymity, and cost effectiveness and, on the other hand, arguments against online psychotherapy like impairment of treatment, confidentiality issues, issues with informed consent, patient identification and emergency situations, legal issues and additionally required skills.

الموسوعة المتكاملة للإرشاد والعلاج النفسي- الجزء الأول- تأليف أ.د بشرى أرنوط

Book

Jan 2019

Boshra Ahmed Arnout

الإرشاد والعلاج النفسي بين الفاعلية والإبداع والريادة

ONLINE THERAPY: WHAT IS IT AND TIPS ON HOW TO DO IT

Article

Feb 2019
Psihoterapija

Serving Transgender Clients in the Digital Age

Article

Jul 2018

People who are transgender are vulnerable to reported isolation and mental health concerns. Limited access to mental health counselors has an increased negative impact on persons who are transgender. The digital age has advanced electronic communication and interaction increasing connection of marginalized populations to each other and may benefit geographically isolated persons with limited access to culturally competent mental health providers. This article outlines benefits of technological interventions and provides recommendations to deliver culturally competent technology-infused transgender affirming mental health counseling.

Strategies and Resources for Conducting Online Counseling

Article

Sep 2009

Shane Haberstroh

Drawing from clinical, supervisory, and research resources related to implementing online counseling services, the author provides practical suggestions for counselors considering or using the Internet as a counseling medium. The author outlines ethical and technical considerations, counselor characteristics, and some specific strategies to employ during online counseling. The author also includes a checklist to evaluate online practices and details an analysis of state licensure codes related to online counseling.

Technology-Assisted Counseling for Couples and Families

Article

Jul 2018
Fam J

Examines current literature on technology-assisted counseling for couples and families. The authors offer a critique of current technology-assisted practices for couples and families and in addition provide examples of current technology-assisted practices for couples and families. The authors summarize terminology in the literature, ethics and ethical and legal issues, and history regarding technology-assisted counseling in relation to couple and families. There are recommendations and future directions for advancing practice, theory, and research in technology-assisted counseling for couples and families.

Cyberpathologies and Cybertherapies

Chapter

May 2018

Kent L. Norman

Characteristics of E-therapy Websites Involving Marriage and Family Therapists

Article

Jan 2018

This study described some of the common ethical and legal issues that mental health professionals practicing over the Internet or phone may encounter. It also explored how 83 e-therapy websites involving marriage and family therapists characterize their services. Results indicated that a majority of the websites lack information regarding crisis resources, terms of service, procedures for treatment of minors, and procedures for provision of therapy across borders. Further findings indicated that practitioners may have not properly considered the global nature of the Internet and its risks. Therapists are urged to give attention to e-therapy limitations, as well as ethical and legal problems, before attempting distance treatment.

Getting Serious Online

Article

Full-text available

Mar 2002

The findings in this report come from a survey conducted in March 2001 in which 1,501 people interviewed in March 2000 were re-interviewed. This longitudinal approach shows that over the course of a year people's use of the Internet gets more serious and functional. Internet users were much more likely in 2001 to use the Web at their jobs and go online for work-related research. A notable number of users say their use of the Internet increases the amount of time they spend working at home. Users continue to value the Internet as a way to stay in touch with others. An extra year of Internet experience has resulted in a significant increase for all e-mailers in e-mailing family members. As people become more accustomed to the Internet, they are somewhat less likely to praise its social advantages. The increasingly important role of the Internet in users' lives is evident when it comes to money matters, and online transactions registered growth across the board between 2000 and 2001. The number of Internet users who have ever bought anything online grew 45% between 2000 and 2001. The use of the Internet to find important information or carry out tasks also grew among respondents. A year's experience online resulted in a modest decline in amount of time an average Internet user is online during a typical session. Internet users--veteran users especially--report that their use of e-mail and the Web has changed the amount of time they spend watching television, shopping in stores, and reading newspapers. As for elements of the Internet that bother people, spam e-mails lead the way, and a substantial number of Internet users complain that they have received unwanted e-mails with sexual content. An appendix includes a table comparing changes in Internet activities between March 2001 and March 2000, and charts showing a comparison for 2000. (AEF)

Confidentiality after Tarasoff

Article

Full-text available

Sep 1994

Following the Tarasoff decision, many social workers believe that they have a duty to warn third parties of the danger posed to them by clients. However, a careful analysis of this decision and the cases and statutes that have followed indicates that social workers' duty under the law is circumscribed. This article describes social workers' duty under the law and outlines standards of care for assessing and responding to threats of harm. It places the duty to protect third parties into the larger context of social workers' ethical and legal obligation to protect confidentiality.

Internet Paradox: A Social Technology That Reduces Social Involvement and Psychological Well-Being?

Article

Full-text available

Oct 1998

The Internet could change the lives of average citizens as much as did the telephone in the early part of the 20th century and television in the 1950s and 1960s. Researchers and social critics are debating whether the Internet is improving or harming participation in community life and social relationships. This research examined the social and psychological impact of the Internet on 169 people in 73 households during their first 1 to 2 years on-line. We used longitudinal data to examine the effects of the Internet on social involvement and psychological well-being. In this sample, the Internet was used extensively for communication. Nonetheless, greater use of the Internet was associated with declines in participants' communication with family members in the household, declines in the size of their social circle, and increases in their depression and loneliness. These findings have implications for research, for public policy and for the design of technology.

Article

Full-text available

Feb 2001
Stud Health Tech Informat

Robert Hsiung

The goal of this project was to suggest principles of professional ethics for the online provision of clinical mental health services that could guide both clinicians who provide and patients who receive such services. A joint committee of the International Society for Mental Health Online (ISMHO) and the Psychiatric Society for Informatics (PSI) was formed. Discussion and development of these principles took place online. A set of principles was produced and endorsed by ISMHO on January 9, 2000, and by PSI on May 13, 2000. The principles involve informed consent (about the process, the clinician, the potential risks and benefits, safeguards, and alternatives), standard operating procedure (competence, legal requirements, the structure of the services, evaluation, multiple treatment providers, confidentiality, records, and existing guidelines), and emergencies (procedures and local backup). This project demonstrates that traditional principles of professional ethics can be extended to online services, that comprehensive ethical principles can be developed by groups that cross disciplinary and national boundaries, and that productive collaboration can take place entirely online; and suggest that online clinicians have the potential to regulate themselves.

The Relationship Between Depression and Internet Addiction

Article

Jan 1998

Prior research has utilized the Zung Depression Inventory (ZDI) and found that moderate to severe rates of depression coexist with pathological Internet use.1 Although the ZDI was utilized for its expediency with on-line administration, its limitations include poor normative data and less frequent clinical use. Therefore, this study utilized the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), which has more accurate norms and frequent usage among dual diagnostic patient populations. An on-line survey administered on a World Wide Web site utilized the BDI as part of a larger study. A total of 312 surveys was collected with 259 valid profiles from addicted users, which again supported significant levels of depression to be associated with pathological Internet use. This article discusses how a treatment protocol should emphasis the primary psychiatric condition if related to a subsequent impulse control problem such as pathological Internet use. Effective management of psychiatric symptoms may indirectly correct pathological Internet use. Prior research has identified the existence of addictive Internet use, which has been associated with significant social, psychological, and occupational impairment.2 Addicts in this study used the Internet an average of 38 hr per week for nonacademic or non-employment purposes, which caused detrimental effects such as poor grade performance among students, discord among couples, and reduced work performance among employees. This is compared to non-addicts who used the Internet an average of 8 hr per week with no significant consequences reported. Predominantly, the interactive capabilities of the Internet such as chat rooms or on-line games were seen to be the most addictive. This type of behavioral impulse control failure, which does not involve an intoxicant, was seen as most akin to pathological gambling. Therefore, a formal term utilized in this article is pathological Internet use (PIU) to refer to cases of addictive Internet use. Research in the addictions field has shown that psychiatric illnesses such as depression are often associated with alcoholism3 and drug addiction.4 Further, research has shown that other addictive behaviors overlap with depression-for example, eating disorders5'6 and pathological gambling.7-9 Although the concept of Internet addiction has gained credibility among mental health professionals both in academic and clinical realms, little research has been conducted to examine if similar underlying psychiatric illnesses may contribute to such Internet abuse.1 Therefore, the objective of this study was to assess depression and compare such results to other established dual diagnostic populations. Young1 utilized the Zung Depression Inventory10 (ZDI), which suggested that increased levels of depression are associated with moderate to severe levels of PIU. However, the ZDI yields limited clinical utility; therefore, this study used the Beck Depression Invento#1 (BDI) because it is a more psychometrically and clinically valid

A Social Technology That Reduces Social Involvement and Psychological Well-Being ?

Article

Sep 1998

The Internet could change the lives of average citizens as much as did the telephone in the early part of the 20th century and television in the 1950s and 1960s. Re- searchers and social critics are debating whether the Internet is improving or harming participation in com- munity life and social relationships. This research exam- ined the social and psychological impact of the lnternet on 169 people in 73 households during their first i to 2 years on-line. We used longitudinal data to examine the effects of the Internet on social involvement and psycho- logical well-being. In this sample, the Internet was used extensively for communication. Nonetheless, greater use of the Internet was associated with declines in partici- pants'communication with family members in the house- hold, declines in the size of their social circle, and in- creases in their depression and loneliness. These findings have implications for research, for public policy, and for the design of technology.

Internet paradox: a social technology that reduces social involvement and psychological well-being? american psychologist

Article

Jan 1998
AM PSYCHOL

The ethical practice of Web C ounseling

Article

Feb 1998

John W. Bloom

The emergence of on-line counselling services for addressing problems ranging from poor self-esteem, stressful relationships and addictions raises serious ethical concerns in this new electronic venue. A number of ethical considerations are discussed. The evolution of the National Board of Certified Counselors' Standards for the Ethical Practice of WebCounseling is described.

The ethical practice of WebCounseling

Article

Feb 1998

John Bloom

The Complete Handbook of Personal Computer Communications

Article

Jan 1985

Alfred Glossbrenner

An abstract is not available.

Ethics and Regulations of Cybercounseling. ERIC/CASS Digest

Article

Jan 2000

Rosemarie S. Hughes

Cybercounseling is defined as the practice of professional counseling and information delivery that occurs when client(s) and counselor(s) are in separate or remote locations and utilize electronic means to communicate over the Internet. One of the counseling profession's main concerns will be unlicensed persons promoting themselves as competent Internet counselors. Unlicensed cybercounselors are almost legally untouchable, especially when a disclaimer statement is displayed stating what they are doing is not therapy. The National Board of Certified Counselors' Standards for the Ethical Practice of Webcounseling are specific, and give the impression this is an area that one does not enter lightly, without careful thought and consideration of implications and possible effects. Eleven critical issues in cybercounseling and seven other salient issues are listed. Information regarding licensure, jurisdiction, and state regulations for cybercounseling are discussed, including suggestions for policy and regulation. (Contains 6 references.) (MKA)

Ethical Considerations for Internet Counseling

Article

Jan 2000

William C. Attridge

With the advent of new technologies, the possibility for providing quality, Internet-based, therapeutic counseling services becomes more attainable and realistic every year. Since the National Board for Certified Counselors announced the adoption of voluntary standards for the practice of Internet-based counseling, a new dimension has been added to the profession. The standards represent focal points and are an effort to recognize most of the pertinent issues involved in delivering counseling services over the Internet. Areas that have been addressed by the Code of Ethics include: (1) how confidentiality of counselor-client communication is maintained in cyberspace; (2) the limits of confidentiality; (3) ways to guard against imposter clients and imposter counselors; (4) counselors practicing via the Internet in states where they are not licensed; and (5) how misunderstanding can occur in counseling without the presence of visual clues. It is important for practitioners to stay current with the evolution of Internet counseling and to prepare the next generation of counselors for the ethical obligations, legal considerations, and methodologies of this means of counseling. (Contains 26 references.) (JDM)

Internet: A Framework for Analyzing Online Human Service Practices

Article

Oct 2000

Joanne Levine

The Internet and related electronic communication technologies are used by human service professionals for many functions ranging from the storage and transmission of sensitive medical information to online counseling. Yet, there are many aspects of telecommunications law that work against privacy and thus the potential for ethical dilemmas has increased. This paper explores and discusses the complex reasons contributing to these ethical dilemmas. The article also presents a human service oriented framework, INTERNET, for analyzing and resolving these dilemmas.

Liability and the Internet: Risks and Recommendations for Social Work Practice

Article

Oct 2000

Use of the Internet for counseling and information services has increased dramatically in the last five years. Although the Internet may benefit consumers by helping them secure needed services and resources, social workers and social service agencies who provide counseling over the Internet need to be aware of the legal risks associated with its use. Among the most salient concerns that need to be addressed are client confidentiality and privacy of records, appropriateness of treatment services, and the duty to warn others of harm that a client might pose to them. This paper looks at these legal concerns in light of appropriate Social Work practice and recommends methods to abate the risks that might occur when Internet counseling and service is provided.

Ethics in Psychology: Professional Standards and Cases

Article

Jan 1985

Our primary purpose is to present the full range of contemporary ethical issues in psychology as not only relevant and intriguing, but also as integral and unavoidable aspects of the professional role of a psychologist. . . . By providing an awareness of the ethical standards of the profession, and by revealing how they apply to specific situations, we hope to achieve a useful and practical guide. Consequently, this book sensitizes readers to the monitoring and redress mechanisms available when ethical violations occur, and it also provides information and decision-making strategies that will assist in avoiding or preventing ethical misconduct. This book is developed around the most recent version of the ethics code of the American Psychological Association, "Ethical Principles of Psychologists" (1981). (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)

Online counseling: The Internet and mental health treatment

Article

Jun 2002
PSYCHOTHERAPY

James R. Alleman

The author asserts that the mental health profession is unprepared for the likely growth and related implications of mental health therapy delivered over the Internet. Clinical, ethical, and economic issues are addressed. Conclusions are that therapy can be done online, that it can be done ethically, and that online services might not be a serious threat to face-to-face therapy. Regulatory and professional organizations are strongly advised to cooperate with each other. Suggestions include how practitioners and educators might develop skills, how ethics and legislation might be coordinated, how research might be facilitated, and how certain support systems might be established. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)

Suicide: Dynamics and Implications for Counseling

Article

Jun 1985

Discusses the dynamics of suicide, ways to work with potentially suicidal clients in the counseling relationship, and implications, both legal and ethical, for the counselor. Demographic indicators of suicide risk and characteristics of lethality as well as scales to assess lethality during initial counseling sessions are discussed. Counselors are alerted to the increasing suicidal rate among adolescents. It is suggested that most suicides can be prevented and that anyone in the emotional vicinity of suicidal persons, including family members, counselors, and friends, is in a key position to prevent such an act from occurring. Major reasons why suicidal communications are not recognized are discussed. It is argued that it is essential for counselors and other mental health care professionals to be effectively trained and supervised and to be aware of how to appropriately use referral sources. (34 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)

Counseling on the Information Highway: Future Possibilities and Potential Problems

Article

Jan 1997

The evolution of the Internet into the information highway offers many future possibilities and potential problems in the delivery of counseling services. Features of the current Internet are briefly reviewed, and the results of an analysis of counseling applications on the Internet are presented and discussed. Current experience with computer networks, counseling applications, and the likely features of the future information highway provides a foundation for exploring the potential benefits and limitations of using this technology in counseling. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)

The relationship of use of the Internet and loneliness among college students /

Article

Jan 1999

Carole. Hughes

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Boston College, 1999. Includes bibliographical references.

Perils of Computerization

Article

Jun 1994
Hosp Community Psychiatr

Michael Rahav

Internet psychotherapy: Current status and future regulation

Article

Feb 1998
Health Matrix Q J Health Serv Manag

D Pergament

The Relationship of Internet Use to Depression and Social Isolation Among Adolescents

Article

Feb 2000
ADOLESCENCE

The present study investigated whether higher levels of Internet use are associated with depression and social isolation among adolescents. Eighty-nine high school seniors were administered a questionnaire that measured low (less than 1 hour per day), moderate (1-2 hours per day), and high (more than 2 hours per day) Internet use; relationships with mother, father, and peers; and depression. Low Internet users, as compared with high users, reported better relationships with their mothers and friends.

E-Therapy: Practical, Ethical, and Legal Issues

Article

Nov 2001

Monique Manhal-Baugus

E-therapy is a term that has been coined to describe the process of interacting with a therapist online in ongoing conversations over time when the client and counselor are in separate or remote locations and utilize electronic means to communicate with each other. It is a relatively new modality of assisting individuals resolve life and relationship issues. E-therapy utilizes the power and convenience of the internet to allow simultaneous (synchronous) and time-delayed (asynchronous) communication between an individual and a professional. For the purposes of this paper, e-therapy is defined as a licensed mental health care professional providing mental health services via e-mail, video conferencing, virtual reality technology, chat technology, or any combination of these. It does not include self-help methods such as public bulletin boards or private listservs. E-therapy is not psychotherapy or psychological counseling per se since it does to presume to diagnose or treat mental or medical disorders. However, e-therapy is flexible enough to also address many difficulties which clients present to the online therapist. As in other types of therapy, such as bibliotherapy, occupational therapy, and rehabilitation therapy), e-therapy does assist a person in addressing specific concerns with specific skills. This article examines the following issues of e-therapy. First, the types of e-therapy and related services are described to provide a background for the article. Second, the ethical codes which have been adopted by three major professional organizations (American Counseling Association, National Board for Certified Counselors, and the International Society for Mental Health Online) pertaining to e-therapy are summarized for professional and consumer use. Finally, the practical, ethical, and legal issues of e-therapy services are discussed fully.

E-therapy: History and survey

M Ainsworth

Ainsworth, M. (2002). E-therapy: History and survey. Retrieved March 3, 2003, from http://www.metanoia.org/imhs Alleman, J. R. (2002). Online counseling: The Internet and mental health treatment. Psychotherapy: Theory, Research, Practice, Training, 39, 199–209.

Issues and ethics in the helping professions

Jan 1998

G Corey
M S Corey
P Callanan

Corey, G., Corey, M. S., & Callanan, P. (1998). Issues and ethics in the helping professions (5th ed.). Pacific Grove, CA: Brooks/Cole.

Confidentiality and privacy in social work

Jan 1998

D Dickson

Dickson, D. (1998). Confidentiality and privacy in social work. New York: The Free Press.

Statistical methods in edu-cation and psychology

Jan 1996

G V Glass
K D Hopkins

Glass, G. V., & Hopkins, K. D. (1996). Statistical methods in edu-cation and psychology (3rd ed.). Boston: Allyn & Bacon.

Ethics and regulations of cybercounseling. Re-trieved/cybercounsel.uncg.edu/research.htm International Society for Mental Health Online Suggested prin-ciples for the online provision of mental health services Confidentiality after Tarasoff

Jan 1994
217-222

R S Hughes

Hughes, R. S. (2002). Ethics and regulations of cybercounseling. Re-trieved January 14, 2002, from http://cybercounsel.uncg.edu/research.htm International Society for Mental Health Online. (2000). Suggested prin-ciples for the online provision of mental health services. Retrieved November 10, 2001, from http://www.ismho.org/suggestions.html Kagle, J., & Kopels, S. (1994). Confidentiality after Tarasoff. Health & Social Work, 19, 217–222.

Counseling and the challenges of cyberspace INTERNET: A framework for analyzing online hu-man services practices

May 1998
173-192

C Lee

Lee, C. (1998). Counseling and the challenges of cyberspace. CTOnline. Retrieved April 1, 2002, from www.counseling.org/ctonline/sr598/ lee498.htm Levine, J. (2000). INTERNET: A framework for analyzing online hu-man services practices. Journal of Technology in Human Services, 17, 173–192.

NBCC Internet counseling standards unleashed intense debate/ www.counseling.org/ctonline/sr598/Internetcounseling1197.htm National Board for Certified Counselors Standards for the ethical practice of Internet counseling Internet psychotherapy: Current status and fu-ture regulation

Mar 1997
233-280

M Morrissey

Morrissey, M. (1997). NBCC Internet counseling standards unleashed intense debate. Retrieved February 29, 2002, from http:// www.counseling.org/ctonline/sr598/Internetcounseling1197.htm National Board for Certified Counselors. (2001). Standards for the ethical practice of Internet counseling. Greensboro, NC: Author. Retrieved March 20, 2002, from http://nbcc.org/ethics/ wcstandards.htm Pergament, D. (1998). Internet psychotherapy: Current status and fu-ture regulation. Journal of Law Medicine, 8, 233–280.

Netlaw: Your rights in the online world

Jan 1995

L Rose

Rose, L. (1995). Netlaw: Your rights in the online world. Berkeley, CA: McGraw-Hill.

Counseling online. CTOnline Board of Regents of the University of California, 551 P

Jan 1976
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R J Sussman

Sussman, R. J. (1998). Counseling online. CTOnline. Retrieved April 1, 2002, from www.counseling.org/ctonline/sr598/ sussman.htm Tarasoff v. Board of Regents of the University of California, 551 P.2d 334 (1976).

Family and individual functioning and com-puter/Internet addiction

Jan 2001
61-5012

Verisign

Verisign. (2002). Verisign. Retrieved March 25, 2002, from http:// www.verisign.com Weitzman, G. D. (2001). Family and individual functioning and com-puter/Internet addiction. Dissertation Abstracts International, 61, 5012B. (UMI No. AAI9989051)

Network users worry that activity logs violate their privacy. The Chronicle of Higher Education

Aug 1995
17-18

D L Wilson

Wilson, D. L. (1995, July). Network users worry that activity logs violate their privacy. The Chronicle of Higher Education, 45, pp. 17–18.

Making online therapy safer: A new credentialing service is launched & tidbits from APA

J Grohol

Network users worry that activity logs violate their privacy

Wilson

NBCC WebCounseling standards

Jan 1997

Bloom

A stricter standard for online counseling

L Holmes

I broke Hal's SSL challenge

D Doligez

Can you verify the credentials of your cyber-shrink

L Holmes

Counseling and the challenges of cyberspace

Jan 1998

Family and individual functioning and computer/Internet addiction

Jan 2001
5012B

Weitzman

Critical Ethical Issues in Online Counseling: Assessing Current Practices With an Ethical Intent Checklist

Abstract

No full-text available

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