Counselors Providing Care to Clients Who Self-Diagnose via the Internet and Social Media: A Grounded Theory

Taylor M. Falardeau is affiliated with the Department of Human Services at The University of Toledo. Her research focuses on counseling practice, particularly how emerging trends such as self-diagnosis and digital information influence client experiences and clinical work.

Madeline Clark is with the Department of Counselor Education, School Psychology, and Human Services at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Her work centers on counselor education and clinical training, with an emphasis on preparing counselors for evolving client needs.

John M. Laux is a faculty member in the Department of Counselor Education at The University of Toledo. His work centers on counselor education, professional development, and research addressing issues that affect counselors’ well-being and practice effectiveness.

Susan M. Long is also affiliated with The University of Toledo’s Department of Human Services. Her professional interests include counselor training, clinical applications, and mental health service delivery.

Jennifer Reynolds is part of the Department of Human Services at The University of Toledo. Her work focuses on counseling practice and supporting diverse client populations.

Rachel Jacoby Ph.D., LPCC-S (OH), NCC, ACS, CFLE is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor with Supervisory Endorsements (LPCC-S), National Certified Counselor (NCC), Approved Clinical Supervisor (ACS) Certified Family Life Educator (CFLE), Certified Trauma Practitioner, and Autplay therapist who passionately enjoys working with children, adolescents, and families. She is an Assistant Professor at Palo Alto University. Rachel values working with individuals on a personal and collaborative level, while building strong interpersonal relationships. With this consideration, she utilizes an existential-humanistic framework for her counseling relationships; while integrating evidence-based experiences through cognitive behavioral therapy, play therapy, and narrative approaches. Rachel's clinical experiences include working with neurodiverse populations and individuals who have experienced trauma. Additionally, she values collaborative relationships to provide the best care to her clients, including working closely with families, schools, and allied medical professionals. As a counselor educator, she is passionate about enhancing the counseling field through education, leadership, and advocacy. She intentionally integrates creative approaches into her pedagogy. She has held many leadership roles in organizations, including the Association for Child and Adolescent Counseling (ACAC), Northcentral Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (NCACES), Association of Humanistic Counseling (AHC), Ohio Counseling Association (OCA), and Chi Sigma Iota (CSI). She is currently the Past-President for ACAC, serving as President in the 2022-2023 year. Rachel is also a board member of the ACA Ethics Committee. She has been recognized for her leadership and advocacy work with the 2024 ACES Supervisor Award, awarded by the Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (ACES), the 2023 Robert H. Rencken Emerging Professional Leader award by the American Counseling Association, and the 2021 Carol Bobby Pioneer for Visionary Leadership award presented by CACREP.