Research Note—A Pilot Cyber Counseling Course in a Graduate Social Work Program

Abstract

Cyber counseling is a new and growing medium for offering mental health services to children and youth. However, there is a lack of identification of the core competencies required to provide effective online counseling. A school of social work, in partnership with a national service agency providing online counseling to children and youth, developed and offered a 13-week course to participating MSW social work students and agency staff. The development of online counseling competencies was assessed through individual interviews with participants and a content analysis of online posts. Participants scored well in areas of assessment and intervention. Challenges were identified in relationship building within an online environment.

This research was funded by Bell Canada.

Notes

This research was funded by Bell Canada.

Faye Mishna is professor and dean, Lea Tufford obtained her PhD, Charlene Cook is assistant professor status-only, and Marion Bogo is professor at the University of Toronto.