Readiness of Guidance and Counseling Teachers at Junior High School Level in Implementing Cyber Counseling Services

Abstract

The development of the internet is growing rapidly. Cyber counseling services by utilizing the internet are expected to support services in the field of mental health. Cyber counseling has many benefits, including optimizing guidance and counseling services, for clients can increase accessibility, clients feel free from anxiety or stigma and allow anonymity. The research objective is to identify the readiness of Guidance and Counseling teachers/school counselors to provide cyber counseling services. Using a quantitative research approach through a cross-sectional survey design, with technological competence instruments for counselors developed by the Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (ACES), involving guidance and counseling teachers/counselors in metropolitan areas in Indonesia. The results show that guidance and counseling teachers/school counselors are generally ready to carry out cyber counseling services, but several aspects need to be improved to support the readiness of cyber counseling services.