Assignment 2: Integrating Technology In Counseling

The use of technology allows access to healthcare services to individuals that may not otherwise be able to receive it. Therefore, it is necessary to consider incorporating technology into the counseling practice. Let me start with network security, once a computer is connected to the internet you cannot claim that it is truly secure, no matter what type of encryption is being used. Although, H.2.d. Security, current websites and/or technology-based communications encryption standards which meet legal requirements are acceptable, with the correct type of equipment, an additional layer of security can be added, which means the counselor has taken security precautions prior to transmitting confidential information, B.3.e. Transmitting Confidential

If it is decided to conduct distance counseling, H.1.a. Knowledge and Competency, counselor must be trained / certified, H.1.b. Laws and Statutes, the counselor is subject to laws and regulations at the clients and their physical locations, and the counselor must ensure the client is aware of relevant legal rights and limitations of counseling across state lines (ACA, 2014). H.2.a. Informed Consent and Disclosure, the informed consent will include the same information that is required in a face-to-face informed consent form, additionally, it will need to cover; distance counseling credentials, physical location of practice, and contact information. The risks and benefits of distance counseling, technology, and/or social media, equipment failure and alternate delivery services, response time, emergency procedures if counselor is unavailable, differences in time zones, differences in cultural and/or language which may affect the services; possible denial of insurance benefits; and social media policy (ACA, 2014). H.3. Client Verification, the counselor will take step to verify the client’s identity throughout the therapeutic process, use of code words or numbers, graphics, or nondescript identifiers (ACA, 2014). If it a video session, after the first session, facial recognition software can be added to the server to verify the

Which bring me to H.6.d. Use of Public Social Media, counselor avoids disclosure of confidential information through public social media, and H.6.a. Virtual Professional Presence, if the counselor is using social media, a separate personal and professional website / profile must be clearly distinguishable (ACA,