Technology's Role in Counseling
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Technology’s role in counseling Also inside: • Using movies as a mirror for clients’ lives • Irvin Yalom to keynote at ACA Conference • School counselors and education reform CounselingTodayOctober 2011 Cover Story 26 Finding technology’s role in the counseling relationship By Lynne Shallcross A growing number of professionals say it’s time to embrace the potential that social media and other emerging technologies have for connecting with and helping clients and counselors-in-training. Features 36 Big screen therapy 26 By Lynne Shallcross In assigning movies that feature carefully chosen thematic elements, counselors can help clients to see their own lives more clearly. 42 Irvin Yalom set to share insights with counselors By Heather Rudow The influential psychiatrist and author of popular “teaching novels” will give a keynote address at the ACA Annual Conference & Exposition in San Francisco. 36 44 Making the case that counselors are essential to education reform By Frank Burtnett The president of the Public Education Network discusses why the nation cannot overlook school counselors in addressing challenges facing the public school system. 46 Reader Viewpoint Look out — and beyond: The Singularity is coming 42 By Jeffrey T. Guterman Rather than dismissing robotic counselors, personality uploading and artificial intelligence as pure science fiction, the counseling profession should begin examining what the implications might be if human nature itself eventually changes. 50 Reader Viewpoint Civil unrest, technology multitasking combine to raise anxiety levels in Egypt By Diane Tayeby A counselor in Cairo reports on what she observed — both in her clients and within her own family — in the wake of the revolution this past January. Contents Extras 52 Q&A with ACA president-elect candidates October 2011 | Counseling Today | 3 CounselingTodayOctober 2011 Columns 10 Washington Update by the NumbersNumbers 11 Two-Minute Advocate 12 Counselor Career Stories 14 Learning Curve 16 Private Practice Strategies 18 Resource Reviews 22 Recent books by ACA members 24 The Digital Psyway An online world Need to Know Many counselors are looking for ways to integrate technology with their work and going online to disseminate information 5 From the President because of the Internet’s massive popularity. The Pew Internet & American Life Project has collected statistics about who’s 7 Executive Director’s Message online and what they’re doing there. American adults 8 Letters n 78 percent use the Internet. n 87 percent of adult Internet users use a search engine to find 34 CT Learning Exam information. n 83 percent search for health or medical information online. 41 Membership Statistics for FY 2011 n 65 percent use a social networking site. 55 ACA Insurance Trust Update American teens n 93 percent use the Internet. Division, Region & Branch News 56 n 73 percent of teen Internet users use a social networking site. n News & Notes 17 percent search for information online about health topics 58 that are difficult for them to talk about, such as drug use, sexual health or depression. 59 Bulletin Board Read this month’s cover story, “Finding technology’s role 60 Classifieds in the counseling relationship,” beginning on page 26. And for more information about Americans and their use of the Internet, visit pewinternet.org. 4 | Counseling Today | October 2011 From The President CounselingToday the National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors and the National Counseling Today Staff Council for Community Behavioral Publisher Healthcare. It was apparent from the Richard Yep discussions that professional counselors Associate Publisher are emerging as critical “go-to” helpers Carol Neiman Don W. LockeDon W. as communities develop strategies for Editor-in-Chief prevention and treatment of substance and Jonathan Rollins mental health disorders. The steps ACA has 800.347.6647 ext. 339 [email protected] taken to support the professionalization of counseling are strongly recognized by our Senior Writer Lynne Shallcross ACA’s place peer organizations and by national mental 800.347.6647 ext. 320 health support organizations. [email protected] at the table I came away from this experience more Staff Writer convinced than ever that ACA possesses the t is empowering to me as a Heather Rudow unique opportunity to serve a broad-based 800.347.6647 ext. 307 professional counselor to observe constituency as an inclusive organization [email protected] our positive growth as a part of the I of professional counselors who serve in Advertising Representative mental health team during the past several a variety of work settings with clients Kathy Maguire years. I recently had the opportunity to needing help in many different ways. One 607.662.4451 attend the presentation of the Voice Awards of ACA’s great strengths is the diversity of [email protected] in Hollywood. I came away feeling that our members and our willingness to reach Graphic Designer ACA and professional counselors indeed out to all professionals who adhere to our Carlos J. Soto II have a “place at the table” when mental 800.347.6647 ext. 377 mission and goals as an organization. health providers gather together. [email protected] As I think about ACA, inclusivity and The Voice Awards are given annually to honor consumer and peer leaders who have acceptance are defined by the assurance that CT Column Editors all members have the opportunity to be been instrumental in raising awareness and Washington Update understanding of mental and substance heard and represented within the structure Scott Barstow use disorders and promoting the social of our organization. For more than 20 800.347.6647 ext. 234 inclusion of individuals with behavioral years, we have reviewed this representation [email protected] health problems across our country. The issue as divisions grew either large or small Counselor Career Stories Voice Awards also recognize television and as the number of divisions proliferated. Rebecca Daniel-Burke and film writers and producers who have During this time, the number of ACA 800.347.6647 ext. 230 [email protected] given a voice to individuals with behavioral members with an added membership in health problems by incorporating dignified, a division has dropped to approximately Resource Reviews 30 percent. Counselors-in-training have Stephen Flynn respectful and accurate portrayals of these [email protected] individuals into their scripts, programs grown to constitute nearly 50 percent of Private Practice Strategies and productions. The awards are part ACA’s membership. Regional or at-large representation in the ACA governance Anthony Centore of the Campaign for Social Inclusion, a [email protected] multiyear public service program of the structure has remained a constant, while additional representatives have been added Spotlight on Journals Substance Abuse and Mental Health Sheri Bauman Services Administration (SAMHSA) and with the development of new divisions. Yet [email protected] significant changes in governance structure the Ad Council. ACA is a partner with New Perspectives SAMHSA in these presentations. What have not been made. Donjanea L. Fletcher was significant to me over a two-day period In October, the Governing Council [email protected] was the “coming together” of mental health will have the opportunity to review and The Digital Psyway professionals and the acknowledgement of determine how ACA can best be governed Marty Jencius professional counselors as equal partners. in the future. Our current structure may [email protected] I had the opportunity to talk and interact still be appropriate, or it might need to Inside the DSM-5 with fellow mental health providers, be changed to better meet the needs of all K. Dayle Jones including, among others, representatives ACA members. The primary goal will be a [email protected] from the American Psychiatric Foundation, review to determine the best path for ACA Learning Curve: Notes From a Novice the American Psychological Association, the as the organization grows, moves into the Suze Hirsh American Psychiatric Nurses Association, future and becomes comfortable with the [email protected] the National Alliance on Mental Illness, respected and accepted seat it now has at the National Association of Social Workers, the providers’ table. u October 2011 | Counseling Today | 5 See your copy of the Advance Registration Brochure included with this issue. (See the insert in the polybag) March 21–25 In partnership with the California Counseling Association h Join thousands of your peers at the premier educational event in professional counseling h Take advantage of the largest networking opportunity of the year Register by December 15 at the Super Saver Rate! ACA Membership Super Saver Rate Advance Rate Onsite Rate Keynote speaker Category Aug. 16 – Dec. 16, 2011 – Feb. 16 – Dec. 15, 2011 Feb. 15, 2012 March 25, 2012 ACA Members Professional/Regular $345 $395 $455 New Professional/ Student $245 $290 $320 Retirees $245 $290 $320 Nonmember General Attendees $525 $570 $610 Nonmember Irvin D. Yalom, MD Student Attendees $370 $480 $500 1-day registration = $300 Online: www.counseling.org/conference • Phone: 800-347-6647 x222 (M-F, 8 am to 6 pm ET) 6 | Counseling Today | October 2011 Executive Director's message CounselingToday American Counseling Association President Don W. Locke 800.347.6647 ext. 232 [email protected] Richard Yep President-Elect Bradley T. Erford 800.347.6647 [email protected]