9 Conclusion

The aim of this CPD course was to support counsellors and psychotherapists to work online during the coronavirus. Now that you have completed the course you will:

• understand the range of technology-based counselling types
• be aware of key technological, legal, ethical and clinical considerations for safe and effective online counselling
• have sound knowledge and critical understanding of key concepts relevant to online counselling
• have reflected on the meaning of your own opinions, experiences and use of digital communication technologies in terms of online counselling practice.

Here’s a final comment from Fiona Ballantine-Dykes, Deputy CEO of BACP:

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FIONA BALLANTINE-DYKES:

We hope that at the end of the course, you feel more confident about your ability to engage in online counselling safely and effectively. We also hope you’re in a better place to make judgments about whether it might be better not to engage in this way. We know you’ll make those decisions carefully, holding the best interests of your clients in mind, and recognising the quite extraordinary circumstances that we’re in.

The World Health Organization recognises that online counselling approaches – whether videoconferencing, audio, text-based – all provide a critical medium for offering ongoing mental health support at a time when face-to-face work may not be possible. We’re very proud of all our counsellors and psychotherapists who have responded to this time of need and wish you well.

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The document that Fiona refers to is the WHO’s Interim Briefing Note [Tip: hold Ctrl and click a link to open it in a new tab. (Hide tip)] on mental health in the coronavirus pandemic.