Online counseling through the lens of professional ethics: Challenges and solutions

Abstract

The paper focuses on benefits, limitations, and ethical risks associated with online counseling yielded from domestic and international studies. We provide a detailed description of the most common online counseling ethical dilemmas, such as determining format suitability, taking action in crises, identification issues, method validity, regional differences in ethical and legal practices, confidentiality limitations, and establishing professional boundaries. A few options for ethical decision-making are offered, as well as advice on averting technical and ethical issues. We provide a specific version of informed consent for online counseling services, that helps ensure safety and protect both parties. It also describes the main aspects of online counseling, its technical and confidentiality limitations, crisis procedures, and ways to address potential conflicts.