f. Educate students on how to participate in the electronic school counseling relationship to minimize and prevent potential misunderstandings that could occur due to lack of verbal cues and inability to read body language or other visual cues that provide contextual meaning to the school counseling process and relationship. g. Recognize the challenges in virtual/distance/hybrid settings of assisting students considering suicide, including but not limited to identifying their physical location, keeping them engaged on the call or device, contacting their parents/ guardians, and getting help to their location. D. School Counseling Practicum/Internship Site Supervisors
f. Are competent with technology used to perform supervisory responsibilities and online supervision, if applicable. Supervisors protect all electronically transmitted confidential information. g. Understand there are differences in face-to face and virtual communication (e.g., absence of verbal and nonverbal cues) that may have an impact on virtual supervision. Supervisors educate supervisees on how to communicate electronically to prevent and avoid potential problems and negative outcomes. h. Provide information about how and when virtual supervisory services will be utilized, and provide school counselors with reasonable access to pertinent applications.
TELEMENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING: RESEARCH
There are many studies on the use of telemental health methodology with the wide variety of applications and the growing popularity of technology-assisted counseling practices. Technology-based practice was essential during the Covid-19 pandemic and continues to be widely used. Recent research has focused on literature reviews on the effectiveness of these methods, attitudes of clinicians on Ethical Practice in Telemental Health: Literature Review The next study provides additional information on ethical considerations concerning technology-assisted practice. The rapidly expanding use of telemental health necessitates a review of the risks and benefits along with ethical considerations that must be considered. The following study reviewed 249 studies and then sorted them into categories providing arguments for or against the use of telemental health. In addition, some articles dealt specifically with discussions of ethics, with 24 pro arguments supporting use as ethical, and 32 arguing the potential for ethical problems related to telemental health. A search of three databases, PubMed, PsycINFO, and Web of Science, was conducted in August 2019 using a specific search protocol yielding 249 publications (Stoll et al., 2020). There are many terms that are used to describe the use of electronics means of communication to deliver counseling and psychological services to clients. Thestudy conducted by Stoll, Müller, and Trachsel (2020) identified the following terms: The various terms used to describe such services psychotherapy encompasses all such terminological variants, including telepsychology, telepsychiatry, online counseling, behavioral telehealth, tenemental health, internet therapy, internet counseling, online practice, online therapy, e-therapy, cyber- counseling, cyberpsychology, e-social work, and e-mental health. These terms may differ slightly according to professional context or technological modality. Results: Stoll, Müller, and Trachsel (2020): Of the 24 ethical arguments in favor of online psychotherapy and 43 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. generally refer to psychotherapy delivered remotely using some form of communication technology. In this review, the term online
technology methods, and the impact of technology on ethical issues in practice. These studies are included here to offer positive and negative feedback from clinicians on implementing these methods in practice. These studies can be used to add a practical knowledge base, beyond legal regulations and aspirational principles, to assist the clinician when making decisions about technology assisted practice. Ethical arguments in favor of online psychotherapy in summary were as follows: Increased Access, Availability, and Flexibility 1. Online psychotherapy can improve and enhance access to health care services and evidence-based care, for those living in rural or remote areas and populations that are underserved. 2. Services can be accessed anywhere and at any time, allowing greater flexibility. This is advantageous for both therapist and patient, enabling immediate and timely care. 3. Online psychotherapy may facilitate more frequent contact between client and therapist. Therapy Benefits and Enhancements in Communication 1. According to a growing number of favorable research findings, online psychotherapy can be as efficient, effective, and efficacious as traditional therapy (or more so). 2. Multiple therapeutic orientations and modalities are translated into online communication, but cognitive behavioral approaches seem to be most appropriate or the easiest to transfer. 3. Online psychotherapy offers a viable alternative to in-person treatment but can also be used as a supplement or adjunct. 4. Data recording and documentation of the online therapeutic process is easier, allowing treatment, treatment stages, and therapeutic techniques used by therapist and client to be revisited. Convenience, Satisfaction, Acceptance, and Increased Demand 1. Online psychotherapy is perceived as convenient and comfortable by clients and therapists alike because of the greater flexibility it offers in terms of location and time. 2. Online services have gained increasing acceptance among clients and therapists who express satisfaction with this approach. 3. Demand and interest are on the increase among both clients and practitioners. Economic Advantages 1. Online psychotherapy is reported to be more cost-efficient, with the potential to reduce healthcare costs for clients, therapists, and society.
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Book Code: PCTX1324
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