Title: COVID-19 and Telebehavioral Health: Ethical Considerations During a Public Health Emergency

Author: John P. Duggan, EdD

Description: In the face of a global pandemic, professional counselors are no longer limited to in-person, face-to-face interactions. The context of providing counseling services has changed abruptly, and now, telebehavioral health services (known as “distance counseling” in the 2014 ACA Code of Ethics) and technology have become central to the work of all practitioners. Many counselors-in-training, supervisors, and practitioners who are not yet competent in the delivery of this service have rushed to become knowledgeable about telebehavioral health and the use of technology resources in routine, daily practice. Counselors offering telebehavioral health services for the first time need to engage in training as quickly as possible. The American Counseling Association organized multiple training resources to help with this urgent need. This course provides a general overview of ethical issues.