areas without sufficient information of the local context, limited Internet access, visual
and auditory privacy in test administration and counselling.
Counsellors’ attitudes towards using information technology in their activity vary from
complete rejection to uncritical acceptance. The right approach would be “cautious
optimism implying that a counsellor sees Internet testing as potentially useful if valid
testing websites are used by clients who have a certain level of support and counselling
(from self-help to individual support services), appropriate to their needs” (Sampson,
2000).
Aside from becoming aware of the potential problems and adopting the adequate attitude,
counsellors must develop specific competences in Internet services that should prevent
ethical issues, evaluate the validity and quality of the specialized websites they use or
recommend, appreciate in each situation the level of support a client is in need of, be
familiar with search engines and reference counselling websites that they can adequately
integrate into their counselling.
Specific competences necessary for the use of the Internet include the following:
- web page development;
- navigating through forums;
- e-mail;
- supporting clients in searching information on counselling;
- applying legal regulations and ethical norms of Internet counselling services;
- understanding the strengths and weaknesses of Internet counselling;
- using the Internet to identify and access continuing training opportunities;
- evaluating the quality of the information to be found on the Internet.
Target population
The contemporary society requires the extension of study to one’s lifetime in order to be
able to keep up with the requirements of professions and the increased demand for
counselling services from ever wider client categories. Although theoretically computer-
based testing can be developed for almost all ages, there are certain limitations linked to
the particularities of psychological development at certain ages, such as schoolchildren
and elderly people. Another impediment is related to the hesitant attitude in front of
computer applications of adults who have not benefited from computer education. The