通訊諮商的中止、結案與倫理實務之初探性研究

A Preliminary Study on Premature Termination, Termination and Ethical Practices of Online Counseling

本研究探討通訊諮商中止和結案時，諮商師的倫理考量與實務。

本研究訪談兩位有豐富通訊諮商經驗的心理師，採主題分析法進行資料分析，綜合研究結果得出討論與建議如下：（一）提供通訊諮商前，諮商師應事先向當事人充分說明並取得知後同意，尊重當事的自主決定；（二）通訊諮商可能會因政策更動而中止，諮商師須與當事人討論後續可提供的服務方式或轉介資源；（三）優先考慮當事人的隱私性，若隱私容易受到侵犯致使當事人不自在，可與當事人充分討論是否中止通訊諮商為宜；（四）諮商師評估當事人的情況不再適合通訊諮商時，須向當事人表達諮商師的考量，並充分說明中止通訊諮商的潛在好處與風險；（五）瞭解當事人選擇通訊諮商的理由，若理由減弱或消失，或當事人的求助動機薄弱，諮商師須與當事人討論中止或結束，或改以其他能使當事人受益的方式提供服務；（六）線上或線下均謹守專業界線，結案後更是貫徹一致。

本研究另建議國內專業學會或公會在通訊諮商指引中可補足的中止和結束倫理準則，文末也說明本研究的限制。

 

This study explored counselors’ ethical practices when online counseling was prematurely terminated.

This study interviewed two counselors with extensive experiences in online counseling.

Thematic analysis was used to analyze the data.

The discussion and suggestions based on the research results are as follows: (1) Before providing online counseling, the counselor should fully explain the situation to the client and obtain informed consent, respecting the client’s independent decision; (2) Online counseling may be suspended due to policy changes. Counselors must discuss with the clients the subsequent service methods or referral resources that can be provided; (3) Give priority to the privacy of the clients. If the clients’ privacy are easily violated and makes them feel uncomfortable, the counselor can fully discuss with the clients whether to terminate prematurely the online counseling; (4) When the counselor assesses that the clients’ situation is no longer suitable for online counseling, the counselor must express the counselor’s considerations to the clients and fully explain the potential benefits and risks of terminating prematurely the online counseling; (5) Understand the client’s reasons for choosing online counseling.

If the reasons weaken or disappear, or the clients’ motivation for seeking help is weak, the counselor can discuss with the clients whether to suspend or end the counseling, or provide services in other ways.