This section refers to any counselling practices that occur when clients and counsellors are in separate or remote
locations and utilise electronic means to communicate, such as email, fax, telephone, voicemail, video conferences,
web messages and instant messages.
13.1 Confidentiality
(a) Counsellors shall take all reasonable precautions to ensure the privacy of electronic communications,
for example, by using passwords, encryption and secure sites.
(b) Counsellors shall provide clients with a full explanation of the limits of confidentiality with regard
to electronic communication.
13.2 Anonymity
(a) While clients have a right to preserve their anonymity through electronic communication, counsellors
should make open disclosure of their identity, professional membership, qualifications,
training, work context and the country worked from.
(b) Counsellors should take all reasonable steps to verify whether or not a client is a minor.
13.3 Information
(a) Counsellors should provide clear and sufficient information about the limitations and risks of online
counselling in order for clients to make informed decisions about using this service.
13.4 Counselling Contracts
(a) Counsellors should, when engaging in online counselling, establish agreements with clients on the
following issues:
• online availability,
• response time,
• alternative contact methods,
• relevant legal context in which the counselling takes place.
Back to Top
