2012

Licensed professional counselors obtain licensure with an understanding that, if faced with an ethical dilemma, they will take necessary steps to formulate and implement the most ethically appropriate decision (American Counseling Association [ACA], 2005). This is often easier said than done, since most counselors must also abide by employer regulations and uphold client agreements and expectations; all while continuing to maintain the counseling relationship with the client. To complicate the matter, recent technological advances, such as social networking sites like Facebook, potentially allow counselors to maintain remote relationships or create dual relationships with clients. The authors of this article will discuss these and other ethical issues and technological barriers, such as substance abuse sponsorship and self-disclosure, presented in the below case scenario and analyzed in the following discussion.