Posts should be at least 200-300 words each and reflect critical thought. Whenever possible, please try to relate the course content to real-world applications from your work experience. Be sure to cite all sources as well.

1. Why is it important that we understand the history of the counseling profession and that we stay updated on the current trends in our profession?

2. Why is it important that we understand the history of the counseling profession and that we stay updated on the current trends in our profession?

3. Why is it important that we understand the history of the counseling profession and that we stay updated on the current trends in our profession?

Responses to classmates post should be at least 100 – 200 each words and reflect critical thought. Whenever possible, please try to relate the course content to real-world applications from your work experience. Be sure to cite all sources as well.

Jean Miller –

Excellent discussion so far! You all shared relevant examples of historical trends, including techniques that are no longer used (thankfully!) When I think about current trends, I think about the concept of wellness. Recent trends in holistic health have emerged in our profession. These trends often come from an Eastern tradition of medicine and even spirituality. Techniques such as yoga, meditation, breathwork, aromatherapy, acupuncture, and herbal therapies, etc, are more commonly used in mental health support and programs. They may even replace tradition therapy and medication for some clients. More commonly, I see these techniques used in combination with traditional therapy. Class, what are your thoughts about wellness and the current trends and techniques that I mentioned? Are they beneficial? Can you think of any more examples?

STEPHANIE MASON –

I believe it is essential to know the history of counseling because history repeats itself and we need to keep in mind what may be occurring now that will need to change. For instance, many treatments at the time were considered humane but are today seen as cruel. We need to look at standard therapies now and ask ourselves what may be regarded as inhumane in the future? There is a lot of heated debate on genetic therapy and if patients should be aware of what future health complications may arise. I can see where it can be positive because many issues may have a cure or preventative. Those health issues that are not will lead to added stress to the patient without benefit. It is so important to stay current in the field because treatments have changed dramatically over a short period in history and we as counselors should want the best for our clients. Staying current will assure that we are not using old and outdated treatments that do not work. I am sure that we will all have different styles and techniques for healing clients from the start to the end of our careers in an attempt to ever change for the best.

LORI KINGÂ –

It is very important that we understand and know the history of counseling as it is the basis for future research and treatment. Methods have changed over time and it is important to know the progress. Ethics have changed, levels of care, the way a client is treated, ,everything. The career field is evolving all the time it seems and while practices from years ago may not be viewed as ideal now, some may possibly be reviewed again in order to create something new or bring about new methods of treatment for clients. The mental health field, especially dealing with developmental disabilities and mental illness, used to be institutionalized and pretty much forgotten about. Now there are doctors and counselors who treat the individuals and come up with treatment plans that benefit the individual specifically and is tailored to meet their goals and encourage progress in order for them to be productive in society and be able to feel confident as well as function and cope with every day life. A lot of mental illnesses have gone overlooked in the past and even some now that go overlooked can result in negative results and actions from the individual who is in need.

Carolan Dickinson –

Some of the potential trends I see in the counseling profession is the continued growth in the holistic approach to counseling. Rather than be restrictive in scope I see it as an expansion. I do believe we are headed in this direction and will be addressing the “whole person” and other aspects of people’s lives as ways to cope, managing, and heal the things they are addressing solely through counseling. One of the ways that I have seen this in action is with the military and their program for treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder. While they do address the traditional aspects of counseling, they are also addressing other ways that have been proven successful in treatment like Yoga Warriors International, (March 13, 2018), Retrieved from https://www.yogawarriors.com/. There are studies and evaluations going on all the time on the advantages of mindfulness programs including this one from the National Center for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, that discusses “The Potential of Mindfulness in Treating Trauma Reactions”, (Niles, Pietrefesa, Potter, Schmertz, & Vujanoivc), March 13, 2018), Retrieved from https://www.ptsd.va.gov/professional/treatment/overview/mindful-PTSD.asp. The increased use of technology in our profession creates challenges in patient confidentiality and as well as creating accepted practices in term of that technology, and makes us look at the other parts of our profession. For example, the company Talkspace, Online Therapy (March 13, 2018) Retrieved from https://get.talkspace.com is what it sounds like. For a certain amount of money, people can call in and connect with a licensed therapist. On the surface, it sounds good to me, convenient, with little to no overhead and processing of claims, etc. However moral and ethical questions would come up for me. I would wonder how effective I’m being, is this addressing the issue, or is it a band-aid approach? I’m not sure how I feel about this service yet, however being able to provide counseling in technology is going to be around for awhile and will grow with the needs of our society.

Beca –

There are upcoming potential tends coming up in the mental health field that are still in development and not always popular. First is the prevention of mental health issues in the prenatal stages of brain development. The factors involved are the mothers well being, substance abuse and access to food. http://www.vantagepointrecovery.com/mentalhealthtrendswatch This theory can possible change the prenatal care given to young mothers. I have seen copsing groups protection this new trend. The idea that a child with mental health issues is undesirable is horrible. Another new trend is the belief that psychical and mental disorders intertwine. A high mortality rate from cardiovascular disease has been documented in patient that also have bipolar, schizophrenia and major depression .Patients with obesity suffer from a higher rate of psychiatric disorders. This trend looks at the whole person verses just their symptoms. The goal is to eventually have  a collaboration of care between psychiatrists and family physicians. The increase of technology in society has begun to change all professions, in counseling the new trend is on line counseling. The new websites for counseling like My Therapist, Regain and Better Help have the client pay weekly to have access to over 1000 councilors. In this new age of convince thousand of clients log on daily. The client can use what ever is easiest phone, skpe or on line connection to speak to a counselor at all hours of the day. The website gunslinger’s happily explains the overview and positives to using this new service, yet where are the negatives. Even though the ACA d does have ethical rules to one line counseling I am concern that the client is not unprotected understand that clients are less inhabited while speaking in a safe place behind their computer or phone. When technology evolves and changes new issues evolve. What if I spoke on the computer to one of these websites and a third party like my ex husband got a hold of the conversations? There are always the intelligent computer people that can “hack” anything.