H.2.b. Confidentiality Maintained by the Counselor Counselors acknowledge the limitations of maintaining the confidentiality of electronic records and transmissions. H.2.c. Acknowledgment of Limitations Counselors inform clients about the inherent limits of confidentiality when using technology. H.2.d. Security Counselors use current encryption standards within their websites and/or technology-based communications that meet applicable legal requirements. H.3. Client Verification Counselors who engage in the use of distance counseling, technology, and/ or social media to interact with clients take steps to verify the client’s identity at the beginning and Counselors inform clients of the benefits and limitations of using technology applications in the provision of counseling services. H.4.b. Professional Boundaries in Distance Counseling Counselors understand the necessity of maintaining a professional relationship with their clients. Counselors discuss and establish professional boundaries with clients regarding the application of technology and the limitations within the counseling relationship. H.4.c. Technology-Assisted Services When providing technology-assisted services, counselors make reasonable efforts to determine that clients are intellectually, emotionally, physically, linguistically, and functionally capable of using the application and that the application is appropriate for the needs of the client. H.4.d. Effectiveness of Services throughout the therapeutic process. H.4. Distance Counseling Relationship H.4.a. Benefits and Limitations When distance counseling services are deemed ineffective by the counselor or client, counselors consider delivering services face-to-face. If the counselor is not able to provide face-to-face services (e.g., lives in another state), the counselor assists the client in identifying appropriate services. H.4.e. Access Counselors provide information to clients regarding reasonable access to pertinent applications when providing technology- assisted services. H.4.f. Communication Differences in Electronic Media The ACA Government Affairs: Social Media The ACA Government Affairs Division published the following article, “Social Media: 10 Tips for Professional Counselors” (ACA, n.d.), that provides guidance for social media posts and references specific sections of the ACA Code of Ethics that apply to that provisory, as follows: 1. Make sure your professional social media accounts are separate from your personal accounts. It’s a good idea to keep your personal accounts private (ACA Code of Ethics H.6.a.). 2. Learn everything you can about social media. Be sure you understand the various platforms’ purposes and operations, including their privacy controls (H.1.a.). 3. Don’t share confidential information on social media, even in closed/private settings. Nonprofessionals may have access to that information (H.6.d.). 4. Don’t diagnose individuals in social media posts, even if they are public figures.
Counselors consider the differences between face-to-face and electronic communication (nonverbal and verbal cues) and how these may affect the counseling process. Counselors educate clients on how to prevent and address potential misunderstandings arising from the lack of visual cues and voice intonations when communicating electronically.
H.5. Records and Web Maintenance H.5.a. Records
Counselors maintain electronic records in accordance with relevant laws and statutes. Counselors inform clients on how records are maintained electronically. This includes, but is not limited to, the type of encryption and security assigned to the records, and if/for how long archival storage of transaction records is maintained. H.5.b. Client Rights Counselors who offer distance counseling services and/or maintain a professional website provide electronic links to relevant licensure and professional certification boards to protect consumer and client rights and address ethical concerns. H.5.c. Electronic Links Counselors regularly ensure that electronic links are working and are professionally appropriate. H.5.d. Multicultural and Disability Considerations Counselors who maintain websites provide accessibility to persons with disabilities. They provide translation capabilities for clients who have a different primary language, when feasible. Counselors acknowledge the imperfect nature of such translations and accessibilities. H.6. Social Media H.6.a. Virtual Professional Presence In cases where counselors wish to maintain a professional and personal presence for social media use, separate professional and personal web pages and profiles are created to clearly distinguish between the two kinds of virtual presence. H.6.b. Social Media as Part of Informed Consent Counselors clearly explain to their clients, as part of the informed consent procedure, the benefits, limitations, and boundaries of the use of social media. H.6.c. Client Virtual Presence Counselors respect the privacy of their clients’ presence on social media unless given consent to view such information. H.6.d. Use of Public Social Media Counselors take precautions to avoid disclosing confidential information through public social media. 5. If you wouldn’t say it in real life, don’t post it online. Your statements have weight (C.6.c.). Keep in mind that values and beliefs shared online can make their way to clients, employers, counseling education programs, membership organizations, and other professionals. 6. Be accurate and appropriate in the portrayal of your education, licensure, accreditation, expertise, and memberships. The ACA advertising/promotion ethical standards apply to social media, too (C.3.). 7. Don’t check out a client’s social media profile without permission, even if it is public (H.6.c.). Keep in mind that personal virtual relationships with current clients are prohibited (A.5.e.). 8. Counselors and counseling-related organizations must develop a social media policy. Information about this policy must be included in informed consent documents for clients and should be posted on professional social media pages and websites (A.2.b.).
EliteLearning.com/Counselor
Book Code: PCTX1324
Page 34
Powered by FlippingBook