What is online is for public viewing, that includes therapists. Though, I'm not sure that I know of any T that goes looking for personal information about a client online.

There was an opportunity I had with a client of mine, to gain information about whether an event she was reporting actually happened or not. It was traumatizing for her, and there would be news coverage on it. I had to really think about if I wanted to seek it out. In the end, I didn't. I didn't think it'd be therapeutic to find out online.

So even though that instance had to do with trauma, I didn't want the information from an online source. I wanted it from her. Saying that, I can't think of an instance in which a T would find it therapeutic to seek out information on a client without their consent...

Doesn't mean it doesn't happen. But I'm not sure how this can be deemed "unethical" if it is on public websites. Though it could be considered poor client care.