Using Digital Tools in Online Therapy - Comparing and Contrasting Counselling Theories

In Episode 289 of the Counselling Tutor Podcast, your hosts Rory Lees-Oakes and Ken Kelly discuss this week's three topics:

Firstly in 'Ethical, Sustainable Practice', we look at 5 reasons why become a clinical supervisor.

Then in 'Practice Matters', Rory speaks with Ellie Finch and Lesley Simpson-Gray about using digital tools in online practice.

And lastly in 'Student Services', Rory and Ken compare and contrast some of the main counselling theories.

Why Become a Clinical Supervisor [starts at 04:23 mins]

If you've been wondering how you can take your career a step further, Rory and Ken are here in this section to discuss 5 reasons why you might consider becoming a clinical supervisor:

Enhancement of professional growth and development within yourself- if a supervisee comes to you with something you're not familiar with, you can go away and research this, allowing you to develop and evolve your own skill set. You can delve deeper into the human condition, understanding things, seeing it in yourself, and seeing it in others.

Contribute to the counselling profession- A good reason why become a clinical supervisor is you will be playing a pivotal role in moulding a competent, ethical, and skilled new therapist.

Personal satisfaction and fulfillment- the work is rewarding, leaving your mark and legacy with your supervisees by informing their practice. It can help you to build confidence in your own practice.

Diversification of income streams- becoming a clinical supervisor increases your niche. It changes your client group, and supervisees will most likely be around for longer than a client will be, giving more stability in your employment. The work will be less emotionally demanding than your regular practice.

Networking and collaboration opportunities- because you will have an extra qualification, it puts you a level above. This gives you more opportunities to be sharing knowledge and meeting colleagues with many years of experience, possibly in different modalities to your own. You will gain people you can go to when you have thoughts, questions, and considerations.

Using Digital Tools in Online Therapy [starts at 25:16 mins]

In this week's 'Practice Matters', Rory speaks with Ellie Finch and Lesley Simpson-Gray on working with digital tools in online counselling such as video games, virtual reality, and an online sand tray.

The main points of this discussion include:

Online counselling is at an all-time high after Covid-19, but the concept of remote therapy has been around for a long time.

Using digital tools in therapy is all about finding what can work best for the client.

What does your client enjoy? What allows them to feel safe?

These methods can work especially well with children, young people, and neurodivergent clients.

Expand your own comfort zones so that you're able to work with these tools.

It's important to find balance so that you're not over-exposing a client.

Digital tools can help you to meet a client where they're at.

Use tools that might already be familiar to you.

Working online and with additional tools requires careful contracting and informed consent.

Be aware of what you're taking clients into.

Using these tools allows clients to express themselves in creative ways.

Comparing and Contrasting Counselling Theories [starts at 49:11 mins]

In this section, Rory and Ken discuss the importance of knowing the similarities and differences between the main counselling theories and modalities:

You should be able to recognise areas that fall outside of your competence range, or where your theory might not be the best application for a certain client.

This allows you to make intelligent referrals when necessary.

For example, if someone has a very specific fear they would like to overcome,