This article reviews the current practice of using the Internet to provide marriage and family counseling services. A history of how the Internet has developed into a medium that can be used for the provision of marriage and family counseling services will be discussed. Ethical guidelines developed by other associations have direct implication in how marriage and family therapists can ethically use this new technology. Future trends in cybercounseling include issues that marriage and family counselors will have to resolve in the coming years.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
American Counseling Association
. (1999). Ethical standards for Internet on-line counseling [Online]. Available: http://www.counseling.org/gc/cybertx.htm
2.
American Mental Health Counselors Association
. (2000). Code of ethics of the American Mental Health Counselors Association [Online]. Available: http://www.amhca.org/ethics.html
3.
American Psychological Association
. (1997). Services by telephone, teleconferencing, and Internet: A statement by the Ethics Committee of the American Psychological Association [Online]. Available: http://www.apa.org/ethics/stmnt01.html
4.
Association for Counselor Education and Supervision
. (1999). ACES guidelines for online instruction in counselor education [Online]. Available: http://filebox.vt.edu/users/thohen/acesweb/[2001
5.
Baltimore, M. L.
(2000). Ethical considerations in the use of technology for marriage and family counselors. The Family Journal, 8, 390-393.
6.
Baltimore, M. L.
, Jencius, M., & Iris, K. (1999, March). Videoconferencing as an adjunct for counseling supervision. Paper presented at the American Counseling Association World Conference, San Diego, CA.
7.
Dinkmeyer, D.
, & Carlson, J. (1983). Counselor computer competencies. Elementary School Guidance and Counseling, 18, 5-12.
8.
Humphreys, K.
, Winzelberg, A., & Klaw, E. (2000). Psychologists’ ethical responsibilities in Internet-based groups: Issues, strategies, and call for dialogue. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 31, 493-496.
9.
International Association of Marriage and Family Counselors
. (2001). IAMFC ethical codes (draft) [Online]. Available: http://www.iamfc.org/ethicalcodes.htm
10.
Jencius, M.
(2000). Technology-enhanced instruction: Developing your digital vision [Online]. Available: http://cybercounsel.uncg.edu/manuscripts/jencius.htm
11.
King, S. A.
, Engi, S., & Poulos, S. T. (1998). Using the Internet to assist family therapy. British Journal of Guidance and Counseling, 26, 43-52.
12.
Koocher, G. P.
, & Morray, E. (2000). Regulation of telepsychology: A survey of state attorneys general. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 31, 503-508.
13.
Kraut, R.
, Patterson, M., Lundmark, V., Kiesler, S., Mukopadhyay, T., & Schrelis, W. (1998). Internet paradox: A social technology that reduces social involvement and psychological well being?American Psychologist, 53, 1017-1031.
14.
Maheu, M. M.
, & Gordon, B. L. (2000). Counseling and therapy on the Internet. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 31, 484-489.
15.
Myrick, R. D.
, & Sabella, R. A. (1995). Cyberspace: New place for counselor supervision. Elementary School Guidance and Counseling, 30, 35-44.
16.
National Board for Certified Counselors
. (1997). Standards for the ethical practice of webcounseling [Online]. Available: http://www.nbcc.org/ethics/westandards.htm
17.
Oravec, J.
(2000). Online counseling and the Internet: Perspectives for mental health care supervision and education. Journal of Mental Health, 9, 121-135.
18.
Page, B. J.
, Delmonico, D. L., Walsh, J., L’Amoreaux, N. A., Danninhirsh, C., Thompson, R. S., Ingram, A. I., & Evans, A. D. (2000). Setting up on-line support groups using the Palace software. Journal for Specialists in Group Work, 25, 133-145.
19.
Sussman, R. J.
(1998). Counseling online [Online]. Available: http://www.counseling.org/ctonline/sr598/sussman.htm
20.
Wilson, R. F.
, Jencius, M., & Duncan, D. (1997). Introduction to the Internet: Opportunities and dilemmas. Counseling and Human Development, 29(6), 1-16.
21.
Wysocki, D. K.
(1998). Let your fingers do the talking: Sex on an adult chat-line. Sexualities, 1, 425-452.
