Online Counseling Etiquette

How to Prepare for Online Counseling Services

Online Counseling provides a way for students to connect with a counselor via email, live chat, and/or videoconferencing. Students should prepare for and treat online counseling services as they would for in-person services on campus. During the COVID-19 pandemic, online counseling services are used in place of traditional face-to-face counseling, and we understand that web-based counseling is new to many. This page will give you an overview of appropriate etiquette when interacting in this new environment. It is important for you to read and understand the information below in order to use online counseling services:

Student Conduct

Please remember that standards of student conduct also apply to the virtual campus environment. Students must adhere to district policies and regulations, and college procedures when utilizing online counseling services.

Violations include but are not limited to:

• Dishonesty, cheating, plagiarism, lying or knowingly furnishing false information to the district or college officials performing their duties.
• Forgery, alteration, or misuse of district documents, records, or identification.
• Knowingly accessing and without permission altering, damaging, deleting, destroying, copying, or otherwise using any data, which reside or exist internal or external to a computer, computer system, or computer network in the district.
• Not following established guidelines and etiquette for online counseling.

Failure to adhere to online counseling rules of conduct, etiquette, and guidelines may result in the elimination of online counseling services and/or disciplinary action.

Chat Etiquette

• Live Chat is available for quick questions and general information only (10-15 minute session)
• Treat a chat session just as you were speaking/interacting with a counselor or staff member in person on campus. Avoid use of profanity, offensive and/or discriminatory language.
• A student may be directed to submit a request for an appointment if the question or service cannot be provided in a chat session

Videoconferencing Etiquette

Counseling appointments are confidential, therefore, the use of a private computer, tablet or smartphone in a quiet environment is strongly encouraged.

We also recommend the following:

• Wear proper attire
• Make sure there is proper lighting in the room
• Make sure there is little to no background noise
• Have a headset with microphone ready (your cell phone headset will work great!)
• Avoid interruptions – Do not answer phone calls, text, or surf the web during the appointment
• Be respectful when communicating with your counselor

Please do not engage in videoconferencing while you are driving or participating in other activities.

Counseling faculty and staff reserve the right to end a chat or videoconference session if a student engages in behavior deemed inappropriate, offensive and/or discriminatory.