Professional Identity and Technology

Professional development is a person's knowledge, skills, and ongoing learning opportunities carried out to improve the ability to do their job well and grow as professionals. It is an ongoing learning process of assessment, education, and practice. It should include the use of a wide variety of methods for attaining new knowledge and skills such as: continuing education, mentoring experiences, independent studies, volunteer experiences, and on-the-job experiences. Professional identity is the result of a developmental process that facilitates individuals to reach an understanding of their profession in conjunction with their own self-concept, enabling them to articulate their role, philosophy, and approach to others within and outside of their chosen field (Brott & Myers, 1999; Smith & Robinson, 1995). The first thing that a therapist should do upon meeting new clients would be to introduce themselves then talk about their identity as a professional, what the client can expect from the therapy process and the expectations that he or she might have. As an aspiring Marriage and Family Therapist my professional identity would mostly be shaped by my training as well as my life experiences. Other factors that would also have an influence on my professional identity are: my race, age, religion, gender, politics, ethnic background, and socioeconomic background. As counselors engage in this individually unique growth process, it is hoped that the counseling profession as a whole will be strengthened as its practitioners and educators reach a heightened sense of purpose and a synergistic collective identity, an identity which is still developing within the profession (Gale & Austin, 2003). Distance communication between a therapist and client is not a new concept. Sigmund Freud utilized letters extensively to communicate with his clients. Self-help groups began emerging on the Internet as early as 1982 (Kanini, K. & Regehr, C., 2003). In a study published by the journal Psychiatric Services, patients receiving mental health treatment through video conferencing reported "high levels of satisfaction" (Frueh, C., et. al., 2000.) The use of technology in our profession is limited only by our level of creativity. For example: iPads can be used with younger clients to keep them interested and talkative. Virtual worlds and Avatar therapy can be used for PTSD [post-traumatic stress disorder] as well as those with social phobias. Counselors should also use the Internet to share reliable and accurate information with the public regarding mental health issues. That is not to say that it is not flawed. One of the biggest disadvantages is that most insurance companies do not cover online therapy. Other disadvantages are concerns about confidentiality, privacy and unreliable technology. It is also not appropriate for those with serious mental illnesses. Professional development is the key to career longevity in this continuously changing