I. Where are we going? As I read this week's assignment I reflected on issues that the counseling profession may face in the future. After reading about multicultural awareness, one issue that came to mind was the increase in the number of gangs in the United States. According to the FBI, gangs contribute to approximately 48% of crime and comprise over 1.4 million American members in 2011. With 33,000 gangs across America, counselors around the world will be faced with people affected by gang-related crimes (FBI, 2014). How will we handle this gang war? This is a scary question that I have no idea where to begin to navigate. What I do know is that students at my school may be pressured to join a gang or have already done so. Being aware of these students and helping them before they make a life-changing decision to join a gang is something I need to put on my top priority list. Chapter 2 in The World of the Consultant suggests that consultants need to have a greater understanding of the differences ( Neukrug, 2012 ). One of the major differences that have filled the news recently concerns same-sex marriage. I believe family counselors will see the greatest impact on this issue as Christian families seek help for their loved ones. Same-sex marriage will not disappear because 17 states have made it legal (Gaymarriage.procon.org, 2014). Professional counselors must prepare without prejudice and at the same time help any family member deal with disagreements over a recent same-sex marriage. The consultant must work against discrimination and uphold their own high ethical standards.II. A look at the futureA. Technology in the 21st century seems to be everywhere; people are constantly connected to the Internet. It's no wonder the consulting profession is moving... middle of paper...hics. (2014) (1st ed.). Alexandria. Retrieved from http://www.counseling.org/docs/ethics/2014-aca-code-of-ethics.pdf?sfvrsn=4FBI,. (2014). Gang. Retrieved May 16, 2014, from http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/investigate/vc_majorthefts/gangsGaymarriage.procon.org. (2014). 18 States with Legal Gay Marriage and 32 States with Same-Sex Marriage Bans - Gay Marriage - ProCon.org. Retrieved May 17, 2014, from http://gaymarriage.procon.org/view.resource.php?resourceID=004857Haberstroh, S., Parr, G., Bradley, L., Morgan-Fleming, B., & Gee, R (2008). Facilitating online counseling: Perspectives from counselors-in-training (1st ed., p. 461). Consulting and Development Journal. Retrieved from https://blackboard.ecu.edu/courses/1/COAD6400601201440/content/_7017852_1/Article-OnlineCounseling.pdfNeukrug, E. (2012). The world of the consultant (4th ed.). Australia: Brooks/Cole.