Discussion Ten brief descriptions of arguments for and against were presented here, but the study included many more that should be reviewed in the complete study results. Some concepts were argued as both benefits and risks depending upon the provider’s perspective on the issue. There are extensive standards and guidelines included for reference in this course, and numerous research exists for further study. The counselor will need to weigh the risks and benefits based on their competency to use technology, facility preparedness, organizational support, compatibility with counseling style, effectiveness, and reliability in addition to client suitability and other indicators relevant to their specific practice or specialty. The most important indicators involve whether technology assisted counseling will be beneficial to the client based on their needs, preferences, values, desired outcomes, and any risks to their care. This is the perfect scenario to apply a decision-making model to evaluate the client, environment, setting, and media platforms to determine the suitability of technology before adopting these methods of practice. The following are some questions to answer that might help clarify the decision on technology -assisted practice: ● Which clients might benefit the most from a technology approach and why? Which clients would not be suitable for technology-assisted counseling methods and why? ● Would technology-assisted practice be effective as a stand-alone methodology for some clients, and what criteria would be important when making that decision?
● What clients might benefit most from traditional methods or when might a flexible approach using both traditional and technological methods be indicated? As technology-based counseling is rapidly expanding and becoming more preferred by some clients, the counselor will need to decide whether to include these methods in practice. It is their responsibility to ensure they can implement technology programs while maintaining the highest quality of professional practice. This involves following state and federal legal and ethical regulations and practice within the framework of professional values, principles, and standards. A review of responses on the use of technology-assisted counseling showed almost equal numbers of provider acceptance and rejection of the method. The information from the study presents many points for consideration when a counselor is deciding whether to adopt telemental health methods. The arguments on both sides include responses that correlate with Texas legal regulations and association codes for ethical practice to ensure confidentiality and informed consent, avoid fraudulent or misleading statements, and maintain appropriate boundaries with clients. These studies may provide information to aid in developing plans and procedures when implementing technology in practice and explaining the risks and benefits to the client. This includes the process of informed consent, based on thorough understanding of the counseling plan and the client’s role as an active participant.
COUNSELOR HEALTH AND WELLNESS
One area that is often overlooked in the discussion of ethical practice is the health and well-being of the counselor. This is a critical factor in maintaining competency, which involves energy, stamina, critical thinking, communication, judgement, and decision-making ability needed to maintain ethical practice. In Texas, there is a shortage of mental health care professionals to meet the ever-increasing demand for services partially due to the pandemic of COVID-19. Counselors may encounter caseloads that contribute to physical and emotional stress, leading them to feel frustrated, exhausted, and overwhelmed. Professional practice may involve complex, disturbing, or life-altering issues clients bring to the counseling relationship that may have a profound effect on the counselor. Counselors must be able to identify when the demands of practice interfere with their health leading
to feelings of anxiety, depression, insomnia, or physical ailments related to stress. Continuing to work when experiencing mental or physical challenges can impede ability to deliver effective services to clients. Impaired judgement, inadequate decisions, miscommunications, and failure to follow procedures and regulations may result in practice that falls short of ethical Counselors must take care of their wellness, which may affect their relationships with clients and their competency to practice. As stated in the ACA Code of Ethics section on the responsibilities of the professional counselor, “Counselors engage in self-care activities to maintain and promote their own emotional, physical, mental, and spiritual well-being to best meet their professional responsibilities. standards and regulations. As stated by the ACA (2014):
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Book Code: PCTX1326
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