Ethical issues in internet counselling

Abstract

A major development in the delivery of psychological and counselling services has arisen with the technology provided by the Internet and through video linkages with remote situations. While telemedicine has burgeoned, with financial support especially for rural health, the possibilities for psychological consultation are still at an early stage. With a tradition of extended one-on-one contact, and belief in the importance of the interpersonal transaction, it has required a paradigm shift to embrace forms of intervention which involve distance and varying degrees of anonymity. Yet the possibilities for offering services to a new clientele at less expense mean that the strengths and limitations of cyberspace are challenging. They call for careful attention to ethical issues which arise in new ways, and currently lack clear criteria. Licensing Boards and the legislature will need to address these new forms of service delivery.