Ethics and Compliance in Practice
Ethical Considerations in Online Counseling
Online therapists must uphold confidentiality, informed consent, and data security for the client as their priority to act ethically. According to Theodos and Sittig (2020), digital platforms require HIPAA-compliant and secure software to avoid breaches of personal health information. Moreover, the scope, limitations, and emergency procedures of telehealth services should be thoroughly explained to clients by their counselors before the start of therapeutic activities: Ethics and Compliance in Practice.
It is also essential to evaluate the appropriateness of a client for online therapy, especially when they pose high-risk behaviors that may need to be carried out physically. Ethical telehealth practice depends on the ability to ensure the client’s safety, autonomy, and confidentiality in a virtual environment.
Another ethical consideration is practicing in an area that is legally within the reach of the counselor and acknowledging cross-state regulations. As the laws and licensure requirements differ in regions, counselors must ensure that they are legally permitted to offer services in the client’s location. Noncompliance with state regulations may bring legal and professional penalties, such as license suspension (Ernstmeyer & Christman, 2024).
In addition, counselors need to familiarize themselves with the emergency services within the client’s locality to offer the proper crisis intervention in case one comes up. Therefore, it is vital to learn jurisdictional limits to practice teletherapy in a legally compliant and ethically acceptable manner.
Understanding Agency and Regulatory Frameworks
As a non-profit management student, I have ensured that I have made efforts to learn the language of operations, policies, and the regulatory environment of my agency of practice. I have familiarized myself with internal manuals and regularly communicated with supervisors to understand important terminologies and procedure requirements. I have also done research into relevant federal and state legislation, including 501(c)(3) compliance regulations, and have come to understand the process of auditing, which is done by the Internal Revenue Service and state charity regulators (Internal Revenue Service, 2025).
The involvement in such learning activities has improved my capacity to address the relationship between my position and the mission and regulatory requirements of the agency. Generally, this background knowledge has played a critical role in establishing transparency, accountability, and ethical governance in the organization.
References
Ernstmeyer, K., & Christman, E. (2024). Legal implications. Nih.gov; Chippewa Valley Technical College. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK610473/
Internal Revenue Service. (2025, January 30). Exemption requirements – 501(c)(3) organizations. Irs.gov; IRS. https://www.irs.gov/charities-non-profits/charitable-organizations/exemption-requirements-501c3-organizations
Theodos, K., & Sittig, S. (2020). Health information privacy laws in the digital age: HIPAA doesn’t apply. Perspectives in Health Information Management, 18(1), 1l. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7883355/
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Question 
Online therapy
Clinical students: Over the past few years online therapy/telehealth has become widely used, especially for clients in remote areas or who experience barriers leaving their home/work to receive therapy. With that said, what are the ethical considerations for a counselor who is providing online counseling?
Ethics and Compliance in Practice
Non-profit management students: What actions have you taken to learn the agency’s language and policies, federal/state/local laws, overseeing bodies and the audit process?