Field Setting

When developing a professional identity, there are many factors which come into play. However, two of the most key areas involve the integration of personal beliefs and life experiences and facilitating training/ field experiences into one’s desired field area. According to Healey and Hays, “In order to merge the personal and professional, every arena of one’s life will be reflected upon as the new professional emerges” (2). In the second area of importance, to paraphrase Bryan (2009), one must possess a basic understanding of the desired working environment, and must obtain relevant field experiences and training in order to collaborate effectively in a specific community or field setting.
As I reflect on my personal goals and attempt
From the introduction of modern paperless charting and filing to billing procedures, to simple client/counselor interactions, technology is integral. One must decide what role technology will play in their own practice. Whether it stops at charting, or goes as far as interacting with clients via email or video chat even in some more modern settings; these are important things for potential counselors to consider. According to Cabaniss (2001), “Computer technology is developing so rapidly that the extent to which it is being utilized by counselors and counselor educators in their work is virtually unknown.” This indicates that much of the determination as to what extent individual practices utilize technology is going to be decided by individual counselors, their ethical beliefs, and preferences. Thus, it is crucial to educate oneself and be well versed in the field of ethics as well as have a personal code of ethics. The extent to which one decides to take advantage of the technology afforded to them in practice will most likely be determined by combining ethical factors, familiarity with technology, and comfort of use. As we enter an age where more and more students are learning online and choosing this realm to obtain their education, it would be reasonable to assume there would be more comfort in using technology in the field as