Discussion Post: Online Counseling
A recently licensed therapist, Joy, observes that many of her colleagues suffer from burnout. She decides to prevent this from happening to her.
Joy schedules several extended vacations throughout the year and arranges for other therapists to see her clients in case of an emergency.
Joy believes that this takes care of her professional responsibilities.
However, none of her clients are made aware of this arrangement in the informed consent process that took place at the beginning of therapy.
When she takes her vacations, she then informs her clients of her unavailability for several weeks.
In reading the case study, do you think Joy took care of her professional responsibility or do you think this was a case of client abandonment? Be sure to explain your answer.
Task
What are your thoughts about counseling via the Internet? What specific ethical issues do you think need to be raised? How comfortable would you be in using this form of technology in your counseling practice?
The response must include a reference list. Using Times New Roman 12 pnt font, double-space, one-inch margins, and APA style of writing and citations.