Exploring the Perceptions and Ethical Understanding of Counselors Providing Online Counseling in Pakistan During the Covid-19 Pandemic

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