Internet Practices of Certified Rehabilitation Counselors and Analysis of Guidelines for Ethical Internet Practices

Abstract

The Internet has become an integral part of the practice of rehabilitation counseling. To identify potential ethical issues regarding the use of the Internet by counselors, two studies were conducted. In Study 1, we surveyed a national sample of rehabilitation counselors regarding their use of technology in their work and home settings. Results suggested that all counselors use email and find information on the Internet, and some also use the Internet to socialize. Some online activities in which counselors engage raise ethical concerns. Study 2 was a content analysis of ethical codes of three national counseling associations and three states that license rehabilitation counselors for the amount of guidance these codes provide regarding Internet activities. Results indicated that although the ethical use of technology has been identified in the codes, there are still areas in which the guidance is only indirect at best.