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Becoming a family counselor requires knowledge of the history, theories, techniques, and trends within the profession. These tasks are not easy to accomplish and require a dedication of learning where the field has been as well as where it appears to be going. Multiple-choice tests, essay questions, term papers, case histories, internships, special projects, and class presentations are some of the means used to teach and evaluate student’s mastery of the field. However, another way that is fun and effective is class exercises and games. One such game titled “The ABCs of Family Counseling” is explained here. This article examines the rationale for using this teaching tool and how the pedagogy tied to this exercise can help students become more aware of what they have learned, as well as help students develop a readiness to begin working with couples and families.

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Podcasts are a convenient, portable, and increasingly popular resource for conveying and consuming information. Accordingly, the ever-expanding catalog of podcast content offers counselor educators, counseling students, and clinicians a wealth of free learning materials. This article provides an overview of current podcast trends, prior uses in educational and clinical settings, and outlines several strategies for utilizing podcasts to enhance student learning and development in marriage and family counseling courses.

For over a century, clinicians have utilized a variety of written materials—a practice traditionally referred to as bibliotherapy—to address a diverse range of client issues and facilitate the process of growth, healing, and change. Recently, podcasts have experienced a dramatic increase in popularity and cultural influence, which has allowed the medium to expand access to learning information that was once primarily delivered in print media. Through a review of current digital media trends, relevant academic literature, and several clinical applications, this article highlights the suitability of podcasts to function as an evolution of the traditional practice of bibliotherapy and provides guidelines for effectively selecting and integrating podcasts into clinical practice.