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Chapter 10
Technology in Counseling
FOCUS QUESTIONS
1. What do you think about counselors providing counseling services to clients through
Skype, Zoom, WebEx, FaceTime, or some similar type of technology?
Points instructors may want to make:
2. What are some of the problems clients are bringing to counseling sessions that are
directly related to their use of social media or other forms of technology?
Points instructors may want to make:
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depression and anxiety, diminished self-esteem, unhealthy social comparisons, body
appearance dissatisfaction, eating disorders, non-suicidal self-injury, and suicide. For
example, there are several “Pro–Ana” websites and social media accounts that
promote the eating disorder anorexia nervosa.
3. What steps do counselors need to take to ensure that counseling records kept
electronically are secure and that client privacy is maintained?
Points instructors may want to make:
IN-CLASS ACTIVITY
Title: Telephone Communication with Clients
Learning
Goal: To consider the various ethical issues related to confidentiality and privacy in
verbal telephone communication with clients.
Procedures: Ask students to form small groups to develop a list of ethical considerations that
are related to verbal telephone communication with clients. As a class, review
the list of ethical considerations and discuss ways in which counselors can
ensure they are engaging in ethical practices when communicating by telephone.
Discussion
Questions: What are some of the ethical issues related to protecting client privacy and
confidentiality in telephone communication? In what settings is it appropriate or
inappropriate to make phone calls to clients? Should counselors leave voicemail
messages for clients and, if so, what should/shouldn’t they say? What
reasonable steps can counselors take to protect the confidentiality of voicemail
messages left by clients?
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Point/Counterpoint (Debate) Topics
Title: Distance Counseling
Learning
Goal: To consider the advantages and disadvantages of distance counseling.
Procedures: Assign (or allow students to volunteer) 2 groups of students (preferably 3-5
students per group) to each take one of the positions described below and
prepare a 5-minute argument in favor of that position. Have each group present
its argument. Next, allow the groups to confer for 2 minutes and then have each
group present its rebuttal to the other group’s argument. Lastly, have the class
members who served as the audience vote for which side was most persuasive.
Point: Counselors should provide counseling to clients over the Internet.
vs.
Counterpoint: Counselors should refrain from providing counseling services over
the Internet.
Title: Counselor participation in Social Media
Learning
Goal: To consider the benefits and risks involved with utilizing social media
platforms.
Point: Counselors should not have a presence on social media platforms such as
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or Snapchat.
vs.
Counterpoint: Counselors have lives outside of their work and should be able to
use social media.
OUTSIDE CLASS ACTIVITY
Title: Distance Counseling
Learning
Goal: To gain a greater awareness and understanding of issues related to distance
counseling services.
Procedures: Explore the peer-reviewed literature addressing distance counseling services,
including its costs, benefits, risks, and associated ethical issues. Report findings
to class and discuss reactions.
Topic for Self-Reflection/Journaling
Topic: Reflect on currently social media habits. Project yourself into your future when you
are a practicing counselor—are there any ways in which you may need to change the
ways in which you engage in social media? What are the fundamental ethical
considerations involved in using social media for counseling practitioners? What are
the current professional standards and best practices related to maintaining and
updating professional social media accounts?
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CASE STUDY
You have been working with Michelle, a 28-year-old client presenting with substance
dependence issues, for the past several months. Michelle has an open case with Child Protective
Services (CPS) and is on probation, and you have been required to provide status updates
regarding her substance use. Michelle reported that her last substance use was approximately 5
months ago and denies any instances of more recent use. As you scroll through social media, you
see a picture of Michelle and decide to view her profile. Michelle recently posted pictures of
herself with drug paraphernalia. Michelle has given her consent for you to view her social media
information, and you are concerned about her recovery and unsure as to whether or not you
should report this to CPS and/or her probation officer. What should you do?
Case Study Discussion
In responding to the above situation, students should consider issues related to viewing
clients’ social media information and making reports to entities such as CPS and probation
departments.
SHORT PAPER OR ORAL CLASS PRESENTATION TOPICS
1. Considerations Relative to Keeping Counseling Records on Computers
2. Communications Technology and the Privacy of Clients
3. The Pros and Cons of Internet Counseling
4. Current Mental Health-Related Issues Associated with Technology Overuse