C E N T R A L P I E D M O N T C O M M U N I T Y C O L L E G E

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C E N T R A L P I E D M O N T C O M M U N I T
Y C O L L E G E
Maintaining eTouch in Distance Counseling Connie
Johnston, MS, NCC
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Career Counseling Program
C E N T R A L P I E D M O N T C O M M U N I T
Y C O L L E G E

• Launched in 2003
• Offers telephone, IM, and in-person appointments
• In-person and hybrid most popular method
• All of career counseling materials available
  online, along with online Flash videos
• Telephone most popular option for those who use
  distance counseling methods

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C E N T R A L P I E D M O N T C O M M U N I T
Y C O L L E G E
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C E N T R A L P I E D M O N T C O M M U N I T
Y C O L L E G E
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C E N T R A L P I E D M O N T C O M M U N I T
Y C O L L E G E
ON EVERY PAGE
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Ethical Considerations
C E N T R A L P I E D M O N T C O M M U N I T
Y C O L L E G E

• Eligibility
• Continuity of services
• Technology issues
• Computer availability
• Interstate regulations
• Confidentiality
• Code of ethics

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High Touch High Tech Tips
C E N T R A L P I E D M O N T C O M M U N I T
Y C O L L E G E

• Use immediacy in your messages
• Match the clients style if appropriate
• Set aside time to do your emails
• Talk to administrators about counting online

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C E N T R A L P I E D M O N T C O M M U N I T
Y C O L L E G E

• Set appropriate boundaries with students
• Consider having a common email address with a
  scheduled email duty for staff

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C E N T R A L P I E D M O N T C O M M U N I T
Y C O L L E G E

• Some staff will enjoy this more than others
• Appeals to non-traditional introverted students
• Establish database with common email questions
• Emails create a paper trail

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Chat/ Instant Messaging
C E N T R A L P I E D M O N T C O M M U N I T
Y C O L L E G E

• Secure instant messaging system using students
  college email

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IM Communication Tips
C E N T R A L P I E D M O N T C O M M U N I T
Y C O L L E G E

• Hours of operation important
• Partner with other departments helps with
  promotion and cost management
• Appeals to younger audience
• Chat room capability, potential for QA with
  recruiters
• Learn online abbreviations and lingo

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Online Interview Preparation
C E N T R A L P I E D M O N T C O M M U N I T
Y C O L L E G E
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C E N T R A L P I E D M O N T C O M M U N I T
Y C O L L E G E

• Specify levels of experience and type of position
  
• Customize interview length and type of questions
• Record answers using web cam or typed responses
• Features interview coach and onscreen interviewer
• Email saved interview to career counselor for
  feedback

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Considerations
C E N T R A L P I E D M O N T C O M M U N I T
Y C O L L E G E

• Problems with technology
• Laptop demonstrations in hallway
• Students enthusiastic
• Great way to involve employers
• Options to customize questions
• Projects underway with online classes

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eMentoring
C E N T R A L P I E D M O N T C O M M U N I T
Y C O L L E G E

• Career Insider Network
• Operated through eCampus Recruiter, our online
  job posting board
• Email, phone, or in-person contacts available
• Mentor controls number of contacts mode of
  contact
• Online training and registration process

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Online Presentations
C E N T R A L P I E D M O N T C O M M U N I T
Y C O L L E G E
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Online Presentations
C E N T R A L P I E D M O N T C O M M U N I T
Y C O L L E G E

• AuthorPoint from AuthorGen
• Work with Instructional Development to find out
  what instructors use
• Implemented with virtually no costs
• Web Cam or Not
• Captioning for hearing impaired

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Communication Tips
C E N T R A L P I E D M O N T C O M M U N I T
Y C O L L E G E

• Adding a counselors face can add warmth without
  affecting bandwidth
• Keep videos short
• Format important (Flash, Real Media, etc)
• Videos added to supplement online career
  counseling program
• Partnerships with television station

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C E N T R A L P I E D M O N T C O M M U N I T
Y C O L L E G E
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Considerations
C E N T R A L P I E D M O N T C O M M U N I T
Y C O L L E G E

• Facial expressions, movements
• Interaction component for mock interviews
• Being utilized by many companies as a recruitment
  tool
• Comparable to the early days of the Internet
• Safety issues

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Distance Counseling Techniques
C E N T R A L P I E D M O N T C O M M U N I T
Y C O L L E G E

• Gives clients unique and stronger voice
• Enhances access to multicultural counselors
• Increases clients options
• Meet the client where they are technologically
• Talk with IT Dept. about email security
• Elleven, R.K. Allen, J. (2004). Applying
  technology to online counseling Suggestions for
  the beginning e-therapist. Journal of
  Instructional Psychology, 31(3), 223-227.
  Retrieved September 18, 2007, from Academic
  Search Premier.

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C E N T R A L P I E D M O N T C O M M U N I T
Y C O L L E G E

• Inform clients about response time (especially
  for email)
• Examine professional standards, research among
  all kinds of distance counseling indicates
  compliance with standards an issue
• From Chester Glass lt 25 sites offering online
  counseling address encryption, 3 address
  technical failure in the study
• Elleven, R.K. Allen, J. (2004). Applying
  technology to online counseling Suggestions for
  the beginning e-therapist. Journal of
  Instructional Psychology, 31(3), 223-227.
  Retrieved September 18, 2007, from Academic
  Search Premier.
• Chester, A. Glass, C.A. (2006). Online
  counselling A descriptive analysis of therapy
  services on the Internet. British Journal of
  Guidance Counselling, 34(2), 145-160. Retrieved
  September 18, 2007, from Academic Search Premier.

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Other Trends
C E N T R A L P I E D M O N T C O M M U N I T
Y C O L L E G E

• Virtual career fairs
• Employers tracking students earlier
• Career video games
• Video resumes
• You Tube
• Podcasting
• Networking sites (myspace)
• Video conferencing

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Resources
C E N T R A L P I E D M O N T C O M M U N I T
Y C O L L E G E

• ACA
• NBCC
• International Society of Mental Health Online
• ReadyMinds, Distance Counseling Training

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C E N T R A L P I E D M O N T C O M M U N I T
Y C O L L E G E
Your Questions and Closing Remarks