Basically.... don't fight 'em - join 'em!

         Ever been so stuck in your ways that you're just unwilling to even consider another method, until you're forced to try something new...and viola you find yourself  in love with this new method? Well that what social media and counseling could be for you. Twitting your client? Having a live session on Second Life? Using Instagram to maintain a relationship with your client? What has the world come to? I'll tell you, its come to the modern age where you're more than likely to have a client who has at least one social media account, if not multiple. So to keep up with modernization,  the most logical next step is to use social media to your advantage. We'll discuss how you could use technology with your clients.

         So let's start with a discussion about the advantages of using technology with your clients. First and foremost, social media expands your clientele by....well A LOT! Dependent upon the extent that you use social media sites, your clientele can go from city wide to state wide, or even nationwide. This post on Counselor-License, helps put into perspective some benefits of incorporating social media in counseling.. Suppose you use Second Life, a 3D virtual reality world where people can interact and socialize with others as though they were in a real world setting. Through Second Life you can have clients in almost any state, which may be especially useful if you have a client who has moved but would still like to continue to see you. 

        Social media can also be used as addition practice for your client. If you give your client homework they might only be given one or two opportunities to apply what they've learned in their daily settings. However with social media you have use those resources and expand your client's ability to gain more practice on their learned skills. Some other advantage for your clients is the anonymity that online counseling provides. Additionally social media provides extra methods for your client to improve on their learned skills. For example you have a client who gets anxious when interviewing, you can use the media to have your client practice interviewing, reserach interviewing tips blogs, and/or join "groups" giving interviewing advise. These are just some of the ways that you can involve social media in your counseling sessions. 

          There are also professional social media sites that you can use with your clients to help in sessions. One of the most widely used sites for professionals is LinkedIn. This also helps with professional development to other professionals. There are many considerations one should take when using LinkedIn with a client, there should be set boundaries between you and your client. These just some of the considerations that should be taken when incorporating social media into counseling sessions.