Setting Up and Maintaining an Online
Counselling Programme in a University
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Rationale
Ethical Considerations
Technical Specifications
Administration
Training
Results
Recommendations & Suggestions
Rationale
 Who are the intended clients ?
 Why reach these clients online ?
Ethical Considerations
 Codes of Ethics
 www.ISMHO.org
 www.ihealthcoalition.org
 www.NZAC.co.nz
 Limits of Confidentiality
ONLINE TERMS AND CONDITIONS
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ONLINE TERMS AND CONDITIONS
1I have familiarized myself with the information provided on AUT’s online counselling webpages. 2I am 18 years of age or older. 3I agree to supply only true information on
the Welcome Form and I agree not to deliberately omit significant information. 4I am an AUT student with a current enrolment or an AUT staff member and I agree to notify
AUT online counsellors when my enrolment or employment at AUT ceases. 5I accept that during our initial communications, both parties will need to evaluate whether or not
we believe we can work together effectively, and whether or not online counselling is the best option for me. I also accept that either party may discontinue the counselling
relationship at any time. 6I accept that an estimate of waiting time, if there is a waiting list in place, is provisional and AUT will endeavour to commence online counselling as
soon as practicably possible. 7I am seeking services specifically for my own personal counselling, therapy, or supervision, - I am not undertaking research either for
publication or for private use. 8I agree that the online counselling or therapy services provided by AUT will be deemed to take place in New Zealand. I accept that the
provision of these services and all our work together will be governed under the laws of New Zealand. 9I accept that AUT does not provide a 24-hour emergency service and
that I should identify appropriate services in my local area which will be able to provide emergency assistance, should this be required 10I agree that neither my online
counsellor nor AUT will be held responsible for direct or consequential loss due to internet service failures or computer malfunction. 11I accept that none of AUT’s online
counsellors are medical doctors and as such will not provide medical or psychiatric advice, and that no counselling or therapy services provided via this site will be construed
as the practice of medicine or telemedicine. 12I am aware of and have considered the alternatives to online counselling, some of which include face-to-face counselling,
speaking with a friend or family member, exercising, meditation, or doing nothing. 13I understand and accept that the provision of online counselling services is still relatively
new and as such is less well-researched than other traditional methods of counselling and therapy. I understand and accept that no warranty as to the effectiveness of the
counselling service provided by AUT is either expressed or implied. 14Confidentiality and Records
Confidentiality of both client and counsellor is of utmost importance. Your information may only be released with your permission except where such information relates to
suicidal or homicidal risks or risk of harm to self or others.
Records are maintained of online counselling transactions. These records may include direct recordings of communications. Where such direct recordings are being kept, you
will be informed. In the case where you store direct recordings of online counselling transactions, please be aware that the counsellor’s information in the form of responses
and communications to you is also confidential and may not be released by yourself in any form except with the express consent of the counsellor. Privacy
AUT will abide by the Privacy Act 1993, the Health Information Privacy Code 1994, and its own privacy policy standards. Information is routinely collected during the course of
initiating and undertaking online counselling in accordance with usual counselling practice, and stored in locked cabinets in the Health Counselling and Wellbeing Centre. You
do not have to supply any information you do not wish to. This process is entirely voluntary. Not supplying any information requested may mean you cannot access online
counselling services.
We provide AUT with non-identifiable demographic information about students and staff so that we can measure the effectiveness of our services. This information includes
age, gender, ethnicity, faculty and sometimes reason for the visit. No identifiable information is provided without your consent.
Health Counselling Wellbeing Centres are at
Wellesley Campus WB Building Wellesley Street East Auckland Central
Akoranga Campus AS Building Akoranga Drive Northcote
If you wish to view information held about you in regards to online counselling, please contact the manager of Health, Counselling and Wellbeing stella.mcfarlane@aut.ac.nz
Ph 921 9992 to arrange this. 15The content on these web pages (and the information and services provided on or via them) are subject to change without notice. No
person may rely on any information contained in, or services provided via, these web pages. To the maximum extent permitted by law, AUT, its staff and service
providers disclaim any and all responsibility in respect of these web pages and the services provided via them, and any loss or damage suffered or incurred by a
person for any reason relying on any of the information provided in or services provided via these web pages. 16I have read and understood the above terms and
conditions of service and agree to be bound by these terms and conditions in receiving online counselling from AUT Have you read, understood and accepted all our Terms
and Conditions for the provision of online counselling?
Yes
Technical Specifications
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What URL
Asynchronous
Synchronous
Record keeping
 Skype ?
Administration
 Home Page
 Registration Form
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or
AUT University website
> Students > Student Services
> Health Counselling and Wellbeing
> Online Counselling (Homepage)
> Online Counselling Registration
http://www.aut.ac.nz/students/student_
services/health_counselling_and_wellb
eing/online_registration.htm
ONLINE COUNSELLING REGISTRATION
Welcome Form
Welcome to AUT Online Counselling Services. Given that you are reading this, you are probably thinking about online counselling for yourself or someone you know.
Before accessing the service, it is important for us to go over some points. There are no correct or wrong responses to the questions. Completing this form will help us
get an idea of what is going on for you and also enable us to ensure that you find out important information relevant to online counselling before proceeding. In some
cases, initiating counselling by online methods may not be appropriate for you (e.g. suicidal or homicidal thoughts / feelings).
This will be indicated to you clearly.
You will either not be able to submit this form, or you will be contacted by us. Completing this form may take up to 30 minutes. If you only partially complete the form or
decide not to submit, your details will not be saved.
Several specific factors from your current situation may be worth considering when you and AUT evaluate whether working online is right for you.
AUT ID Please fill in your AUT ID number (Staff or Student ID)
* PREFERRED EMAIL
Please enter your preferred email address to which we will reply
* NAME Please tell us what name you would like to use
Current Circumstances
Please describe your current circumstances
and why you are seeking online counselling?
Training
 Sourcing Training providers
 AUT University offers two papers online:
• Online Communities & Communication
• Technology Mediated Counselling & Psychotherapy
 Resource Lists
Results
 The following graphs attempt to represent the trends (if
any) between 2006 and 2007 at AUT University.
 Comments on differences with face to face counselling in
the same setting
Presenting Issues
Presenting Issues
The Top four presenting Issues varied little from 2006 to
2007:
They were:
o Relationships (more sexual issues in ’07)
o Depression
o Self Esteem / Identity
o Anxiety
Age Distribution
Male
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2006 n = 57
2007 n = 74
Males were more likely to
present with issues of
intimacy/sexuality than they
do in traditional face to face
counselling.
Female
Unstated
Maori
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2006 n = 57
2007 n = 74
European 49%
Asian
25%
Pasifika 08%
Maori
07%
Unstated 11%
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Asians presented in much higher proportion
than in face to face counselling
Asian
Pasifika
Euro
Recommendations & Suggestions
 “Disinhibition Effect”
(see John Suler ‘The psychology of cyberspace’)
 Use of compulsory fields
 Take ethics to next level.
(always assume someone else can read)
 Feedback for research