Online Counseling: A Handbook for Mental Health Professionals

About the Course:

This course is a comprehensive presentation of current research, clinical information, and technology in the provision of online counseling along with pertinent business considerations, current laws, regulations and ethical concerns.

Publication Date:

2011, Second Edition

Authors

George Stricker, Ph.D. (editor); Ron Kraus, Ph.D., C.S.W. (editor)

About the Authors:

Dr. Stricker is Distinguished Research Professor of Psychology and former dean of the Derner Institute, Adelphi University. He has received the American Psychological Association Award for Distinguished Contribution to Applied Psychology, the American Psychological Association Award for Distinguished Career Contributions to Education and Training in Psychology, and numerous other awards. His most recent books include The Comprehensive Handbook of Psychotherapy Integration and The Scientific Practice of Professional Psychology.

Dr. Kraus is a clinical and child psychologist. He has taught traditional as well as online courses at Fairleigh Dickinson University since 1998. He founded the American and International Association of Online Psychotherapy and served as the 2003 President of the International Society for Mental Health Online.

Recommended For:

This course is recommended for licensed health care professionals; especially psychologists, counselors, and social workers, who are looking for ways to expand their practices online and/or to help round out treatment to specific patients who might benefit from online therapy in addition to traditional delivery. It is appropriate for an introductory to intermediate level of participants’ knowledge.

Course Objectives:

1. Summarize the history and the research relating to online mental health care and to discuss the benefits and limitations inherent in online counseling.

2. Analyze online counseling in terms of the therapeutic meaning that can be expressed in different kinds of chat or email communications.

3. Apply the technology of online counseling.

4. Practice counseling or psychological testing online with an understanding of the cultural, ethical and legal issues that apply.

5. Discuss clinical theory and practice as it applies to online counseling.

   Participants will become familiar with different modalities of online counseling, along with pertinent theoretical and therapeutic considerations.

6. Discuss future developments in the evolution of online counseling.