DISTANCE
COUNSELING
EAP and technology
John Allen, LCSW, CEAP, SPHR
www.HERE4TN.com
HISTORY OF EAP TECHNOLOGY
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Phone/Fax
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Online information
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Crisis Line
Appointments
Support Tool
Assessments
Articles
Resources
Distance Counseling
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E-mail
Discussion Forums
Chats/Instant Message
Video Conferencing
Virtual Worlds
CULTURAL EXPECTATIONS
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Accessing help 24/7
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Social Media
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“Apple” culture
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Access expanding
TECHNOLOGY BASICS
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Encryption
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Backup Systems
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Password Protection
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Firewalls
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Virus Protection
ETHICAL ISSUES
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EAPA Code of Ethics 2.12 – Delivering EAP services via
telephone or other remote technologies
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American Counseling Association Ethics Code 2005 –
Considered “best practice”
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Informed Consent
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Client Suitability
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EAP professional’s credentials, competence, and training
(Distance Credentialed Counselor)
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Confidentiality
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Rights of redress
THE RESEARCH
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Northwestern University Study
Lower drop out rate than face to face (4.3% vs. 13%)
 6 months post treatment, face to face group reported
less depression
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Veterans Affairs Telemental Study
Patients had 24% fewer psychiatric hospital
addmissions
 27% reduction in total days of psychiatric
hospitalization
 55,000 patients and 140,000 “telemental” sessions in
2011
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DISTANCE COUNSELING
Benefits
Reduced stigma
 Posting resources,
assessments, and
information online
 Convenience/Flexibilit
y
 Rural access
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Challenges
Boundaries
 Is the client really
who they say they
are?
 Ethical Concerns
 Privacy/Confidentialit
y
 Unrealistic client
expectations
surrounding access
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CASE STUDY
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Review email interaction with Anne
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Review chat transcript
CURRENT TRENDS IN TECHNOLOGY
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eGetGoing Online Addiction Treatment
12 step based
 Participate in group via video or chat
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SleepCoach.net
“Interactive cognitive behavioral therapy program”
 Coaches are masters prepared or above and
International Coach Federation’s ACC level coach
certification or above
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CURRENT TRENDS IN TECHNOLOGY
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TherapyOnline
Canadian Group
 TherapEmail™
 Research based
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Centerstone's Recovery Engagement Center
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Recovery Coaches
Peer Recovery Support
Live Chat
RESOURCES
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Online Therapy Institute
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Distance Credentialed Counselor Training
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Guidelines for Use of EAPA Related Social Media
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DeeAnna Merz Nagel, LPC
Informed Consent
 TILT Magazine
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