Too close and too far: counseling emerging adults in a technological age

Individuals increasingly connect with others via social media (e.g., blogs, social networking, chatrooms), a phenomenon that is likely to impact psychological well-being and development. As such, therapists play an important role in assisting their clients to identify how virtual and in-person relationships influence their sense of self, interpersonal communication, and how they engage in meaningful relationships. In this article, I describe 3 examples related to working with emerging adults that take into consideration how this population "does relationships" in this technological era. Specifically, 3 clinical exchanges illustrate ways to (a) enhance interpersonal skills, (b) develop self-awareness about emotions, and (c) gain a clearer understanding of the intersections of social identity.