University of Toronto

The Bell Canada Cyber Counseling Research, Training And Service Project (2008-2011)

Principal Investigators: Faye Mishna / Robert MacFadden, Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto.
Funded by: Bell Canada

This research project is based on recognition of the momentous implications and impact that cyber activity is already having on traditional counselling. The purpose of this project is to develop this new and innovative form of counselling by creating a Cyber Counselling Research, Training and Service Centre within the Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work.
We are currently developing the first several components of this project:

• Development of a practicum placement for 6 second year Master of Social Work students, to provide timely and accessible services to undergraduate students at St. Michael’s College and Victoria University at the University of Toronto three days per week from September to April 2008/2009. The services will entail traditional face-to-face counseling including individual and group counseling addressing specific concerns; and cyber counseling. An integral component will be to evaluate the cyber counseling and to examine and identify competencies involved in online counseling, with the aim of dissemination and knowledge transfer.

It is expected that this practicum experience will situate graduates of this program to be among the few counselors considered qualified to provide cyber counseling. This project is expected to contribute to the literature and practice by identifying, understanding, and responding effectively to the challenges and needs involved in cyber counseling.

• Development of a Continuing Education certificate program on cyber counseling to be offered in September 2008.
• Development of a course on cyber counseling that will be offered as an elective for second year MSW students, in January 2009.