Counseling is the application of mental health, psychological, or human development principles, through cognitive, affective, behavioral, or systemic intervention strategies. Counseling addresses personal growth, career development, wellness, and pathology. Face-to-face counseling involves interaction between clients and counselors in person.
The following are called Technology-Assisted Distance Counseling:
- Telecounseling involves synchronous distance interaction between counselor and client (s). Conferencing features on the telephone are typically used for individual, couples, or groups.
- Internet Counseling involves synchronous and asynchronous distance interaction between counselor and client(s). Email, chat, and videoconferencing are used via the Internet.
b) Video-based Internet counseling (individual, couple, and group) involves the same type of interaction, but video is used to communicate, i.e., Skype.
What are the ethical standards for the practicing Internet counseling?
Although therapists adhere to principals in traditional ethical codes, Internet counseling has standards based upon ethical principals embodied in the NBCC Code of Ethics.
Of course, we know that technology is always changing or being upgraded. This means that mental health professionals must pay close attention to the most recent version of the NBCC code of Ethics.
In the next Blog entry (Pt. II), the following will be addresses with regards to Internet Counseling:
- Internet Counseling Relationship
- Confidentiality in Internet Counseling
- Legal Considerations, Licensure, and Certification
For information, go to the website for the National Board for Certified Counselors at http://www.nbcc.org/ or the Center for Credentialing and Education, Inc. at http://www.cce-global.org/
Ms. Erin
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