In an era where fast, efficient communication is needed, e-mail has emerged. From its beginning in 1971, professionals have used e-mail to communicate—lawyers, counselors, psychologists, and social workers with clients; nurses and physicians with patients. But despite its advantages, e-mail can cause problems. This article discusses both the positive use of electronic communication and the need to address fundamental counseling issues that arise in using it. The article reflects the AMHCA and ACA ethical codes for the use of technology in the counseling relationship. It also looks at e-mail communication between counselor and client with special attention to challenges of which counselors should be aware.
The Association for Death Education and Counseling has updated its articulation of the body of knowledge in the field of thanatology. In doing so it has relinquished the use of a matrix format in favor of a more serviceable outline containing three major sections: Arenas of Thanatology, Practice Considerations for Professionals in the Field, and Contextual and Theoretical Considerations. Accompanying the outline is a new commentary on the state of the field itself, along with an annotated bibliography of recent relevant publications.
This article discusses the ethical dilemmas common to counseling practice with elder families and describes virtue ethics, rule ethics, and principle ethics in their application to the unique challenges of the life stage of diverse adults 60 years and older. The Five P Model of Ethical Decision Making of Gamino and Ritter is examined as a process for conceptualizing the ethics of care in complex situations like those of elder families. The authors challenge family counselors to expand their gerontological knowledge, including that of end-of-life care and bereavement, and to use a developmental lens when taking perspective on issues of aging clients and their families.
The authors examine the concepts of ego integrity, life review, and narrative reconstruction as cornerstones of theory that inform counseling practice with aging adults. Contemporary theories of grief reconciliation are proposed as useful models for understanding and creatively addressing the needs of adults who are 60 years and older.
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