Literature Review

Alleman, J. R. (2002). Online counseling: The internet and mental health treatment.

Psychotherapy: Theory, Research, Practice, Training, 39(2), 199-209. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/0033-3204.39.2.199

In this article the starting theory is that online counseling could be harmful to mental health clients that are seeking therapy. What is found is that online counseling can be beneficial. Not only can the online forum be beneficial it can also be done ethically and meaningfully so that there is proper counseling taking place. The therapy process will not be clouded or restricted just because it is taking place online rather than face to face.

Clinton, B. K., Silverman, B. C., & Brendel, D. H. (2010). Patient-Targeted Googling:

The Ethics of Searching Online for Patient Information. Harvard Review Of Psychiatry (Taylor & Francis Ltd), 18(2), 103-112. doi:10.3109/10673221003683861

With the internet taking over there is a ton of information out there that is available to everyone about anything or anyone. This can become a problem if therapists start looking up their clients and using that information against them. The authors look into this in more detail and give ways in which having the information can be helpful and not used in a way that exploits the client.

Haberstroh, S., Duffey, T., Evans, M., Gee, R., & Trepal, H. (2007). The experience of

online counseling. Journal of Mental Health Counseling, 29(3), 269-282. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/198785403?accountid=8289

This article looks at 5 different online counseling participants who evaluated their experiences based on the online forum in which they received their counseling. Following the results of this the authors look at different ways in which to give other counselors better ways to facilitate online counseling. There is also a discussion of pros and cons that are associated with online counseling.

Haberstroh, S., Parr, G., Bradley, L., Morgan-Fleming, B., & Gee, R. (2008). Facilitating

online counseling: Perspectives from counselors in training. Journal of Counseling and Development : JCD, 86(4), 460-470. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/219039827?accountid=8289

The authors conduct research as it pertains to online counseling by interviewing 4 females and 2 males who are using online counseling. From the results the authors are able to talk about technology problems that may arise. They also talk about some aspects of counseling that are missing in an online forum versus face to face and that is being verbal and body cues that may not be picked up due to the nature of the medium being used.

Haherstroh, S. (2009). Strategies and resources for conducting online counseling.

Journal of Professional Counseling, Practice, Theory, & Research, 37(2), 1-20. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/212437839?accountid=8289

The author looks at ethical issues that could be associated with online counseling. By discussing the ethics related it gives other counselors a better understanding of how to go about this type of counseling medium. There is also a discussion on the types of personal characteristics a counselor should possess in order to maximize therapy results.

Rummell, C. M., & Joyce, N. R. (2010). 'So wat do u want to wrk on 2day?': The Ethical

Implications of Online Counseling. Ethics & Behavior, 20(6), 482-496. doi:10.1080/10508422.2010.521450

This article acknowledges the rapid growth and use of online counseling. While there are many associations that have taken this into account there are still some agencies that are not addressing the issue. The authors discuss the ethics that are associated with online counseling. There is also a discussion of ways that ethical standards can be upheld when using online therapy.

Shaw, H. E., & Shaw, S. F. (2006). Critical ethical issues in online counseling:

Assessing current practices with an ethical intent checklist. Journal of Counseling and Development : JCD, 84(1), 41-53. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/219047785?accountid=8289

The authors took an ethics checklist used for online counseling and compared it to how counselors were taking it seriously in their practice. What is found is that only half of the checklist is being taken into consideration. What else was found is that those counselors who were part of an accreditation were more likely to follow the checklist than those that have no association.