Cyber Counselling: An Innovative Field Education Pilot Project

Abstract

With the ascendancy of the cyber world, client demand for online counselling has increased and is expected to continue to increase dramatically in the coming years. The purpose of this article is to describe an innovative pilot practicum project in which social work graduate interns offered cyber counselling within a university to undergraduate students. In this paper, we describe the key elements of this project, including those that are unique and those that follow typical practicum processes, along with the challenges identified. Implications for practice and social work education are offered.

Trends in higher education in Canada and implications for social work education

“…In this project, social work students provided cyber counselling through a dedicated website, as well as in situ counselling to students in two of the university's undergraduate colleges. Supervision was provided by an experienced social work clinician seconded from the university counselling services (Mishna, Levine, Bogo, & van Wert, 2012). The pilot project met with such success that it is being expanded to other undergraduate colleges in the university.…”

Online/Cyber Counseling Services in the COVID-19 Outbreak: Are They Really New?

“…With the progress that is happening in the cyber world it is recommended that there should be critical suggestions for improvement in supporting counseling offices such as: instruction, mental wellbeing, and social work (Kettunen et al, 2013). Kessler et al (2009) and Mishna et al (2013) accept that this will require more efficient consideration, mindfulness-raising, and discussion of online issues, and an introduction to the necessary aptitudes which will need to be learned. Also, this new information must be coordinated with preparation for counseling.…”

Emotionality in Computer-Mediated Environments: Analyzing the Emotional Content of Psychotherapeutic Communication

“…Psychotherapists have to be skilled at decoding client emotions [24]. This skill is significant because good emotional perception leads to a successful cognitive and emotional bond with clients, thereby positively orienting the therapy, exploring and reflecting on the clients' concerns, and focusing attention on their feelings.…”