How Technology Has Changed the Counseling Profession
Counseling seems like a pretty clear cut career path, right? Well though that may have never been totally true, the inventions and evolution of technology has changed that substantially. Though technology has ways that it has shaped and changed the profession in good ways, it has also added to the frustrations experienced as well. There are so many different ways that counseling can benefit from technology. There also happen to be ways in which it has made counseling into more of a job than it ever was before. We always think of technology as a good thing, and generally it is. There are however some benefits and disadvantages that we should look at when we think of counseling overall.
It Has Given Us the Tools
There is no doubt that technology has changed the way in which counselors can do their jobs. They can keep lengthy files on those that they help. They can record their notes and keep everything in one easy to reach file. They can help their students or clients by pointing out online exercises that they can access if they are having problems. Technology allows a counselor who is usually a very busy person to have a method and way of keeping more organized. All of these things mean that technology has shown a counselor what it means to be organized, efficient, and able to better serve the people that they help.
There is a Downside Too
Though technology is generally a good thing, it has some drawbacks as well. For those counselors who help the youth or students in school, technology has created more issues for them to deal with. Cyber bullying, online predatory behavior, and tarnishing reputations in an online forum have all become very real and very common problems for students to deal with. Along with all of the great parts of technology have come a whole slew of problems that students and counselors alike need to be prepared to deal with. This is new to the scene and therefore something that counselors must learn to grow with as they go along.
Learning to Cope and Being Prepared
Using technology to make you a better counselor is fantastic and exactly what it’s meant for. It is important to rely on the tools at your disposal as that will only make you better at what you do. It is also important to remember that technology can and does create new issues to deal with. Being prepared for those so that you can be a better counselor and part of a true support staff is important too. Learning how technology has benefited us and how it has caused some new problems is all part of evolving as a good counselor.
Expert blogger Mary Fred writes most often about how to find the best MS in school counseling programs.
