Yorkville University’s Dr. Rosina Mete recently took centre stage during the Canadian Counselling & Psychotherapy Association’s Counselling & Psychotherapy Month, delivering a widely attended national presentation on ethics in online therapy.
The Connected Counsellor: Online Therapy & Digital Context Considerations for Sound Ethical Practices was featured in the CCPA’s interactive Journey Through Therapy timeline, showcasing decade-by-decade advancements and challenges in the counselling profession. Mete’s presentation focused on the ethical complexities that arise with the increasing use of digital technologies in therapy – an area that has rapidly evolved in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The pandemic forced many therapists to leave behind the physical office space and move their work online,” said Mete, Interim Chair of Yorkville’s Doctor of Counselling and Psychotherapy (DCP) program.
“That sudden shift raised important ethical questions about privacy, data security, and maintaining professionalism in virtual spaces. It’s a timely topic, and one we need to continue talking about.”
Drawing from Section H of the CCPA Code of Ethics, which addresses the use of electronic and other technologies, Mete guided attendees through key considerations for practicing ethically in digital contexts, such as ensuring informed consent, safeguarding client data, and setting boundaries on social media and online communication.
With over 500 people registered and hundreds in attendance – from students to experienced practitioners – the session encouraged open dialogue, sharing, and reflection.
“The audience was incredibly engaged,” Mete said. “There was a real eagerness to explore how our clinical practice is evolving and how we can continue to uphold the highest ethical standards in this digital era.”
Participants, she added, praised the practical tools offered during the session, including real-world examples and strategies for upholding client trust online. Feedback was so strong that the CCPA has expressed interest in having Mete lead future sessions – and possibly develop the content into a dedicated resource.
Although her session only briefly touched on artificial intelligence (AI), Mete is already working on scholarly publications related to AI ethics in therapy, including one on AI-generated video content in marriage and family counselling, co-authored with Yorkville faculty member Dr. Alyssa Weiss.
“I think the next step will be exploring AI more deeply,” Mete said. “There’s an appetite for interactive, collaborative learning around this, whether it’s in future webinars or practical resources. It’s a rapidly changing area, and our profession needs to be ready.”
Mete brings over a decade of clinical and research experience in community health, hospital, and academic settings. She holds an MSc in Clinical Mental Health Counselling and a PhD in Leadership and Policy from Niagara University, and currently serves as President of the CCPA’s Counsellor Educators and Supervisors Chapter. Her longstanding connection with the CCPA, dating back to her days as a graduate student, makes her participation in this year’s 60th anniversary events especially meaningful to her.
“Being part of this journey – from student member to now leading discussions and representing educator voices – feels surreal and deeply rewarding,” she said. “I believe strongly in the value of national associations like the CCPA, not only for advocacy but for helping define and support our professional identity.”
Yorkville students also had a strong presence at the event. “Some of our students reached out afterward – they were excited to see these discussions happening nationally,” Mete added. “Given that many of our programs, like the MACP (Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology) and DCP, integrate online learning from the start, Yorkville graduates are already ahead of the curve when it comes to virtual therapy skills.”
Looking ahead, Dr. Mete will represent Yorkville at the upcoming CCPA’s Annual Conference in Calgary from May 29 to June 1, where she’ll be presenting on topics including creative arts in therapy, rural supervision, and transitioning from practitioner to educator. She will also co-host the Counsellor Educators & Supervisors Chapter breakfast and help present the Doctoral Dissemination Award to a Yorkville DCP student.
“It’s an exciting time to be in this profession,” Mete said. “From shifting technologies to evolving ethical frameworks, we’re not just responding to change – we’re helping to shape the future of counselling and psychotherapy in Canada.”
For more information on Canadian Counselling & Psychotherapy Month and to access session recordings, visit https://www.ccpa-accp.ca/counselling-and-psychotherapy-month/
