Technology and Ethics

Technological advances put a demand on incorporation of technologies in practices, including counseling. Technology Supported Counseling and Communication (TSCC) includes Telehealth as one of these services. It is beneficial to those who have difficulty finding transportation, too sick to leave home, and those in rural communities with limited resources. Telehealth strives to maintain appointment consistency and limit any spread of infection, which is why it was strongly backed during the covid pandemic.

There are many ethical concerns that come along with Telehealth counseling listed by the ACA and AMHCA. The counselor must first be trained to provide Telehealth services. Since most counselors who implement Telehealth practice from home, they must store their files and confidential information appropriately. There is an increased risk of security breaches due to most emails and digital communication having limited or no encryption to ensure the clients privacy.