Abstract:
The Covid-19 pandemic brought along with itself an epidemic of rising mental health
concerns, to tackle these concerns, since quarantining was now mandated, counseling shifted
from face-to-face sessions to online platforms. How this transition was perceived by practitioners
in Pakistan & whether counselors were able to identify ethical concerns in an online context was
explored. For this purpose, a qualitative study was conducted which employed the use of semi
structed interviews, conducted with mental healthcare practitioners/counselors practicing online
in Pakistan (n=10).
The results of the first aim revealed certain perceived challenges (Insufficient
technological infrastructure, privacy concerns, mediated communication issues, counselor’s
personal discomfort, client unsuitability, public’s lack of awareness and experience, non-serious
attitude, lacking organizational & procedural support, issues around physical environment, issues
around maintaining protocol), perceived advantages (Convenience, improved client contact,
counselor’s personal comfort, improved therapeutic skills, broader reach, financial benefit, added
client information), and perceived needs (Further training, support from the psychology
community, sufficient technological resources, added software features sufficient physical
resources). These factors were attempted to be understood through differences in culture,
infrastructure, through different theoretical frameworks in past literature.
Results of the second aim indicated that the majority of counselor’s appeared to possess
an adequate understanding of professional ethics in the domains of competence, multiple
relationships, assessment & publication, record keeping & fees. This study may aid future onlinecounselors and organizations providing online counseling in terms of preparedness as it
emphasized/ acknowledged the need for specialized training/ competency, a regulatory body,
standard culturally relevant guidelines, availability of emergency services, standard/secure
software for practice, technological & psychological awareness within the public, the importance
of peer and senior supervision in the absence of a regulatory body
