Technology comes into play in pretty much every aspect of life, and it can be used to strengthen and enhance many different types of situations, from professional to personal. In this article, we’ll go over five ways that technology can be utilized to enhance the counseling process, both from the perspective of the counselor and the person receiving counseling. Read on to find out more about technology’s role in the mental health sector!
Mental health has become quite the buzzword lately, and it seems like new apps are developed every day to help with various aspects of mental wellness. There are apps for anxiety, depression, PTSD, stress management, and so much more. A quick scroll through the App Store or Play Store will show you dozens of free downloads that you can use to your advantage. Mental health-related apps are a great way to continue working on improving your mental health in between counseling sessions.
Online counseling platforms
Of course, online counseling platforms would not exist without technology. The ability to go through the counseling process from the comfort of your own home (or anywhere else with a stable wifi connection) and without having to ever speak to a counselor in person is pretty amazing. Thanks to technology, nearly everyone can access affordable and effective counseling services that help them work on their mental wellness. And technology provides multiple ways for people to communicate with their counselors as well: video sessions, audio calls, messaging, and live chat.
Easy access to information and resources
Although the internet is associated with some negative outcomes, there’s no denying its benefits. The ability to get the answer to nearly any question in seconds with the help of a search engine is nothing short of amazing. Say you’ve just been diagnosed with a specific mental health disorder, and although your counselor has explained it to you, you’d like to learn about it in depth. The internet can definitely help you do that! Or let’s imagine that your counselor suggested you engage with healthier coping mechanisms, but you’re not sure where to begin. There are endless resources online that can help you out!
Productivity tools for counselors
Not only can the people attending counseling benefit from technology, but the counselors facilitating the process can also take advantage of it. One way to do so is to download various productivity tools. These tools can help counselors keep track of their practice, their patients’ progress, and so much more. They can help counselors to stay on track and provide the best care possible.
Communication and collaboration with others
Online support groups are one way that those attending counseling can communicate and collaborate with others in between counseling sessions. Online support groups are great because they help you to see that you’re not alone and that there are other people out there who have gotten through the types of situations you’re currently experiencing. Simply speaking with people who understand can be very empowering. Plus, technology allows you to communicate and collaborate in so many different ways. It’s just a matter of figuring out what works best for you.
The Bottom Line
Technology sometimes gets a bad rap, but there’s no denying that it has benefits as well as downfalls. Many of these benefits can be used to enhance the counseling process and help you improve your mental health even more quickly than counseling alone. Online counseling platforms simply wouldn’t exist without technology, and no one can deny that the easy access to resources definitely comes in handy for counselors and their clients. Plus, the huge number of mental health-related apps and productivity tools can definitely be helpful as well. Finally, technology provides easy ways to communicate and collaborate with others, which can be an important part of working on your mental health throughout the counseling process.