“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.” Tale of Two Cities, Charles Dickins.
This will perhaps be said of Covid sometime in history. Covid has certainly shaken our world and we will never be the same. It is certainly the truth of the counseling profession as I have witnessed it since 1992. Now it is time to focus on the excitement and adventure of counseling going forward.
Carl Rogers is remembered as the founder of Person Centered Counseling. This method is the best expression of both the medical model and business model of licensed professional counseling. We refer to it as the “gold standard” of counseling. Dr Rogers knew that beginning counselors would be faced with challenges beyond his or her level of experience. He also knew that they would have to have an effective tool to use to help all patients to some degree.
It appears that in 2023 counseling is following much the same pattern as in 1992. Investor-based, insurance and EAP counselors will provide the basic human care for patients. The best therapists, psychologists, and psychiatrists will care for the advanced issues. On-line courses, books and webinars will care for all the rest. Cost will restrict care by the best therapists, psychologists and psychiatrists. Lack of human connection will restrict on-line courses, books and webinars. I believe the greatest growth will occur in the new creations that will come due to need. Humor has caught on in the past few years. Storytelling is big. Both provide the much needed human connection. Courses taught by a live instructor provides the human connection. In other words, I do not believe any method will be effective enough that does not provide human connection. It was the cornerstone of Roger’s Person Centered and I cannot imagine any form of counseling/courses without it.
So let the games begin people to people and may we all win!
Lane A Stokes, LPC CounselingServicesAtlanta.com 404-487-1956
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