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Online Counseling

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Online Counseling
Technology in Counseling
Argosy University/Atlanta

Abstract
Technological advances have opened many doors for the counseling field. These innovative changes incorporate the way services and information are disseminated and retrieved by practitioners and client. This paper looks at the commonly uses of communication modalities ethical issues, code of ethics, advantages, and disadvantages with online counseling. This paper also looks at the California Telemedicine Development Act of 1996.

Technology in Counseling
Technology has become an intricate part of our daily lives. Computers and cell phones are tools utilized by many in homes, the workplace and have become valuable in the field of counseling. In today’s society counselors are working in multiple locations, and experiencing extensive travel time to client locations. With the expanding growth and convenience of the Internet, many are wondering if online counseling will replace traditional face-to-face encounters (Wilczenski & Coomey, 2006).
Technological advances have opened many doors for the counseling field, many mental health practitioners rely on computers and the Internet for some aspects of their work including e-mail, chat rooms and video conference These innovative changes incorporate the way services and information are disseminated and retrieved by practitioners and client. Today an individual can receive therapy-related services via the Internet, these services are known by a variety of names, including e-therapy, e-counseling, cyber- counseling, web counseling, and online counseling (Wilczenski & Coomey, 2006).
Online counseling is described as the process of interacting with a practitioner via the internet using an electronic means of communication. E-mail, chat room, telephone, and video conference all play a major role in providing reliable services to clients; these modalities offer an alternative communication between practitioner and client. E-mail is the simplest method



References: Cenotre, A. J., & Milacci, F. (2008). A Study of Mental Health Counselors ' Use of Perspectives on Distance Counseling. Journal of Mental Health Counseling, Cottrell, S. (2005). E-therapy: the future?. Healthcare Counselling & Psychotherapy Journal. 5(1), 18-21 Heinlen, K. T., Welfel, E. R., Richmond, E. N., & Rak, C. (2003). The Scope of Webcounseling: A Survey of Services and Compliance with NBCC Standards for the Oravec, J. A. (2000). Online counselling and the Internet: Perspective for mental health care supervision and education. Journal of Mental Health Counseling, (9, 2), 121-135. Retrieved from Research Library. (Document ID: 54539547). Shaw, H. E., & Shaw, S. F. (2006). Critical Ethical Issues in Online Counseling: Assessing Current Practices with an Ethical Intent Checklist. Journal of Counseling and Sussman, R.J. (2004). Counseling over the Internet: Benefits and Challenges in the Use of New Technology Wilczenski, F. L., & Coomey, S. M. (2006). Cyber-Communication: Finding its Place in School Counseling Practice, Education, and Professional Development. ProQuest  

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