This is a two part assignment. Using Computer-Based Programs Because many assessments and inventories are now available and completed online, counselors need to be aware of the issues related to the use of technology in career counseling. What are some of the concerns that you should be aware of when using computer systems with your clients? Consider issues such as confidentiality, online assessment scoring and interpretation, et cetera. What suggestions do you have to address these concerns? What would you tell a client or student about best practices when using the internet in job searches? Response Guidelines Respond to at least two of your peers' posts regarding the use of technology, sharing your insight and experience. First Peer Post Concerns About Computer Systems When it comes to searching for a job online, there is an overwhelming amount of information to be found (Zunker, 2016). The author goes on to say that counselors must be able to quickly sort through tons of data in order to locate the most relevant information to present to their clients. Because lots of information can be found quickly at our fingertips, career counselors have embraced the use of technology to better serve their clients. The author states that clients can use the internet to create, submit and review resumes, as well as participate in job fairs online. A big concern that counselors must be aware of, is the possibility that computer systems will one day replace the career counselor. The author emphasizes the fact that electronic systems are only tools to utilize, and that the career development therapist must maintain an active role in the career development of his or her client. The counselor is responsible for coordinating the use of the information that is gathered to help the client get a good job. A counselor may also have to help clients who are not tech-savvy. Online Assessment and Scoring Zunker (2016) states that counselors must be aware that online assessments must meet the same high standards that traditional printed assessments are required to meet. The author goes on to say that validity and reliability are vital in online assessments. Furthermore, a major concern regarding online assessment is the accuracy of scoring the assessments. The author states that the great thing about the computerized-scoring of assessments is that the possibility of human error is eliminated. Though this makes it very ethical, all assessments must be evidence-based. Confidentiality Lawlor-Savage and Prentice (2014) state that there are many aspects of technology that aid in career counseling today. These tools offer workers the ability to utilize their time wisely and more effectively in order to train for a new job and to maintain professional development throughout the course of their careers. Some of these include distance-learning, web-based instruction, intelligent tutoring systems and many others. However, there are also many concerns with the utilization of ...

1. This is a two part assignment.
Using Computer-Based Programs
Because many assessments and inventories are now available
and completed online, counselors need to be aware of the issues
related to the use of technology in career counseling. What are
some of the concerns that you should be aware of when using
computer systems with your clients? Consider issues such as
confidentiality, online assessment scoring and interpretation, et
cetera. What suggestions do you have to address these
concerns? What would you tell a client or student about best
practices when using the internet in job searches?
Response Guidelines
Respond to at least two of your peers' posts regarding the use of
technology, sharing your insight and experience.
First Peer Post
Concerns About Computer Systems
When it comes to searching for a job online, there is an
overwhelming amount of information to be found (Zunker,
2016). The author goes on to say that counselors must be able to
quickly sort through tons of data in order to locate the most
relevant information to present to their clients. Because lots of
information can be found quickly at our fingertips, career
counselors have embraced the use of technology to better serve
their clients. The author states that clients can use the internet
to create, submit and review resumes, as well as participate in
job fairs online. A big concern that counselors must be aware
of, is the possibility that computer systems will one day replace
the career counselor. The author emphasizes the fact that
electronic systems are only tools to utilize, and that the career
development therapist must maintain an active role in the career
development of his or her client. The counselor is responsible
for coordinating the use of the information that is gathered to
help the client get a good job. A counselor may also have to

2. help clients who are not tech-savvy.
Online Assessment and Scoring
Zunker (2016) states that counselors must be aware that online
assessments must meet the same high standards that traditional
printed assessments are required to meet. The author goes on to
say that validity and reliability are vital in online assessments.
Furthermore, a major concern regarding online assessment is the
accuracy of scoring the assessments. The author states that the
great thing about the computerized-scoring of assessments is
that the possibility of human error is eliminated. Though this
makes it very ethical, all assessments must be evidence-based.
Confidentiality
Lawlor-Savage and Prentice (2014) state that there are many
aspects of technology that aid in career counseling today. These
tools offer workers the ability to utilize their time wisely and
more effectively in order to train for a new job and to maintain
professional development throughout the course of their careers.
Some of these include distance-learning, web-based instruction,
intelligent tutoring systems and many others. However, there
are also many concerns with the utilization of technology
including record-keeping, accessibility, therapeutic alliance, the
involvement level of the therapist, and confidentiality.
Lawlor-Savage & Prentice (2014) also state that confidentiality
is a major concern in any counseling setting, but especially for
anything done online. The authors bring up some valid concerns
regarding electronic information including the fact that
computers are often hacked and private information is stolen.
Career counseling in groups online would be a big risk for
breaking confidentiality as well. Though the therapist can
ensure a private skype session on his or her end, he or she
cannot ensure that group members keep each other’s confidence.
The authors go on to say that this is always a concern with
group counseling in a clinic setting, but that the family
relationship formed by the group usually reinforces the group
members to willingly keep each other’s confidences. The online
counseling group may not form this same type of close family

3. connection, which makes breaches in confidentiality a higher
likelihood.
Suggestions for Clients
When searching for a job online, today’s clients need to know
specific details about the jobs that are available as well as the
labor market projections (Zunker, 2016). Therefore, I plan to
tell my clients to research reputable websites to consider the
future of a job position to see if there is a potential for
longevity in the position he or she is seeking. I also plan to
caution my clients against wasting too much of their time taking
random online quizzes that promise to match them to their
dream-jobs. As mentioned earlier, Zunker (2016) emphasizes
the importance of all assessments used to guide clients in their
career decisions must be evidence-based.
References
Lawlor-Savage, L., & Prentice, J. L. (2014). Digital cognitive
behaviour therapy (CBT) in Canada: Ethical
considerations. Canadian Psychology/Psychologie
Canadienne, 55(4), 231-239. doi:10.1037/a0037861
Zunker, V. G. (2016). Career counseling: A holistic approach,
9th Edition. [VitalSource Bookshelf Online]. Retrieved from
https://bookshelf.vitalsource.com/#/books/9781305729759/
Second Peer's Post
Concerns in Using Computer Systems with Clients
Several concerns exist in using technology devices with clients
in providing counseling services. In fact, an entire section
(Section H) was added to the American Counseling
Association’s Code of Ethics in an effort to establish guidelines
to protect consumers from the potential dangers associated with
the use of technology. Confidentiality is a huge concern when
using computers with clients, as is the validity and
professionalism of the vast number of internet based career

4. development web and self-help sites. The psychometric
properties, scoring, and interpretation of results of internet
based assessments may be very different than the paper
assessment version of the same or similar test (Zunker, 2016).
Additionally, computer generated assessments do not take into
account the client’s unique background and world views, nor do
they necessarily stimulate continued discussions leading to
career exploration (Osborn & Zunker, 2016). Both counselors
and clients may be inundated by the amount of career
information that exists on the internet, requiring sorting,
eliminating, and prioritizing for proper use (Zunker, 2016).
Clients may not be comfortable in using technology, and
therapists will need to assess for their adeptness in this area.
Some needs may be adequately addressed utilizing technology,
while others would be better met in a hands-on or face-to-face
manner.
Suggestions and Strategies to Address Concerns
Strategies are already in place for counselors to begin
addressing concerns that arise from the use of technology.
Counselors are advised to obtain informed consent and
disclosure (Standard H.2.a.) before using technology with
clients, addressing issues of risk, benefits, emergency
procedures, response time, and language barriers (American
Counseling Association, 2014). Counselors are required to use
up-to-date encryption standards to ensure that information
transferred via the internet is secure (American Counseling
Association, 2014, Standard H.2.d.). Policies should also be in
place around the use of social media by clients, and the limits
that pertain to its use. Counselors must inform clients of the
limits of confidentiality in using the internet (Standard H.2.d.),
the method for electronic record keeping (Standard H.5.a.), and
ensure that clients have the skills and abilities to effectively
utilize assistive technology (Standard H.4.c.) (American
Counseling Association, 2014). Counselors must be vigilant in
evaluating internet based web-sites to ensure that the
information is professional and evidence based (Zunker, 2016).

5. Clients should be carefully monitored while operating
computers or using the internet to avoid the potential for
inadvertently or purposefully accessing illegal or unethical
information. Professionals must consider the cultural
implications of using technology in career counseling, and again
articulate the possible benefits and limitations (Standard H.4.a.)
(American Counseling Association, 2014).
Best Practice Advice for Internet Job Searches
Specific steps have been outlined for clients who are utilizing
the internet for job search activities. The counselor administers
an assessment of individual needs, orients individuals to the
requirements of technology, creates individualized job search
programs, participates and intervenes with technology use as
appropriate, provides technical assistance, and conducts follow-
up as necessary (Zunker, 2016). Clients are taught the value of
the internet for current and future job searches, and its use in
distant learning for future positions. Computer programs can
assist clients with life planning activities designed to create
person-in-environment fit with potential career opportunities
(Nota, Santilli, & Soresi, 2016). The internet is merely one
portion of the job search, and does not replace active
involvement in the community. Also, while computerized job
searches are immediate and efficient, they do not replace the
empathy, support, and encouragement provided by a career
counselor and a client’s natural support system.
References
Nota, L., Santilli, S., & Soresi, S. (2016). A life-design-based
online career intervention for early adolescents: Description and
initial analysis.
Career Development Quarterly, 64
(1), 4–19.
Osborn, D. S., & Zunker, V. G. (2016).
Using assessment results for career development (9th ed.).
Boston, MA: Cengage Learning. ISBN: 9781305397774.
Zunker, V. G. (2016).
Career counseling: A holistic approach (9th ed.).

6. Boston, MA: Cengage Learning. ISBN 9781305087286.