Page 31 - Exemplar_2019_Fall

Fall 2019
Educational Advances: New and Necessary Conversations in a a a a a a a a a a a Digital Age
n n n n n n the the 21st century we are living in in in a a a world where computer e e e e e e e e e e e ciency ts in in in in the the palm
of our hands and and access to individuals is limitless New counselors-in-training (CITs) are are predominantly in in in in in in the the Gen Z or or Millennial generations they they are are digital natives meaning they they have always lived in in in a a a a a a a a a a a world with the the the internet Even digital immigrants those of Gen X or older have learned to to to adapt to to to technology as an everyday essential From social media to to to to smartphone applications to google searches there are are are very few areas in in our lives that
I virtual presence it is considered best
practice to have a a a a a a a a a a a clear separation between personal and professional virtual presences Nonetheless conversations with students/ supervisees need to go beyond that
one one consideration We teach our students how
to address potential interactions with clients outside of the counseling session but our interactions interactions expand into digital interactions interactions on on on on a a a a a a a a a a a daily basis Instead of helping students and and supervisees navigate how
to to co-exist with their clients in in in in physical communities we have to to to begin begin talking about how
to to to co-exist in in in in in a a a a a a a digital community When counselor educators begin begin begin to to to to address this concept it it helps students begin begin to to to develop develop discernment about what to to to share
on on social social media media While each CIT will develop develop their own personal approach to social social media media CITs may not consider the the the the rami cations of their personal virtual presence without the the the the initiation of the the the conversation and concepts by counselor educators Whether desired or or or or not professional counselors are seen by the the public as representatives of of mental health and that
perception permeates all aspects of of of our daily interactions In a a a a a a a a a profession where personal values are not to to to be be imposed onto clients clients it is imperative to to to to be be mindful that
clients clients may still nd nd nd ways to to to “know” a a a a a a a a a counselor’s personal values Counselor educators and Dr Michelle E E Wade Alpha Eta Chapter
are are are not impacted by the the shift in in society to rely heavily on technology As counselor educators and supervisors we do our students/ supervisees (therefore their clients) a a a a disservice by not addressing the the the multitude
of of considerations both professionally and personally that
now exist in in this digital world We teach our students best
practices within the profession as as well as as how
to consider ethical rami cations of of of choices made However with regards to the the utilization of of technology the the lessons and conversations are lacking within the classroom This article will serve as as a a a a a a a a a a a a catalyst for counselor educators to to to add to to to their classroom dialogues Students are taught best
practices within their counseling programs And when it it comes to best
practice for a a a counselor’s 31 CHI SIGMA IOTA EXEMPLAR