The Importance of the Counseling Professional Identity Ulysses Harris School of Masters Clinical Counseling, Liberty University. Author Note: Ulysses Harris has no known conflict of interest to disclose. Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to Ulysses Harris. Email: ujharris@liberty.edu. Abstract This scholarly article provides a synopsis of the magnitude of professional identity in mental health counseling. (Simmons et al., 2019) Eluded that the counseling identity was further established when a given designation was deployed. As a result, the broad definition forged the framework that built the professional space that created what can be achieved in the counseling profession. Eissenstat and Bohecker …show more content…
This requires counselors to follow the code of conduct, obtain the proper education, and advocate alongside professional associations. The identity of the counseling profession begins with a broad definition that solidifies the consciousness of the career. As a result, the identification was formed through professional associations, regulating the profession with ethical values and elevated training standards. Defining the career and creating an identity allows others to comprehend the profession as an intact role in the mental health field. Comprehension creates a broad understanding of the roles offered by the counseling profession. It is imperative to unveil what counseling is. (Simmions et al, 2019) wrote that identity helps to advocate for the profession, educate the public, advance the profession, client welfare, and the population counselors serve. The credibility of the profession will diminish without vigorous education and licensure. Therefore, organizations make up their identity by defining the code of ethics and the education process and determining the scope of work counselors can complete. Moorhead et al. (2023) emphasized that without a professional identity, the counseling profession as we know it loses its integrity and the ability to safeguard the career in every facet. Scholars of the profession should do everything in their ability to …show more content…
For example, Morehead et al., 2023) explain that a concept was created to allow all counselors to serve in different states without obtaining licensure in that state. The concept is known as the counseling compact, and it, unfortunately, puts the counseling professional identity at risk. Morehead et al. (2023) wrote that the counseling compact is the idea that a counselor's license and certifications will allow them to work across state lines without additional education. Therefore, it explains that infiltrating professional identity can weaken academic regulations and allow other mental health professions to take on more counseling roles. (Moorehead et al., 2023) stated that Georgia created laws allowing psychology majors to become licensed counselors, yet psychology licensure restricts counseling majors from obtaining credentials. In contrast, Elliott et al., 2019 expounded on the significance of the unification of the degree requirements and went over the ever-growing barriers that counselors go through while attempting to practice in a different state. Counselors experience various issues, such as
“Counseling has not established a single entity containing its accreditation, credentialing, and membership organizations”. (Mascari & Webber, 2013). In the institutions, “counselor educators with a different education background, other than counseling, contributes confusion” (Mascari & Webber, 2013). CACREP has been striving to establish a unified counseling profession by “creating common standards accepted by the profession and influenced by the degrees and license of the faculty” (Mascari & Webber, 2013). Through CACREP accredited programs, CACREP is assisting in clearing counselor identity through its process of preparation program accreditation. (Mascari & Webber, 2013).
Hanna, F. J., & Bemak, F. (1997). The quest for identity in the counseling profession. Counselor Education and Supervision, 36(3), 194. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com.library.capella.edu/docview/201301734?accountid=27965
The American Counseling Association is the largest professional counselor association in the world and serves over 56,000 helpers by providing resources and tools to utilize for best practices in the counseling field (ACA, n.d.). As an ACA member, professional counselors have access to professional journals, webinars, forums and other mediums that can strengthen and enhance helping skills and best practices. It would be of great advantage for both graduate students training in a counseling field, as well as professional counselors working in their field to take advantage of the being a member of the ACA.
Professional identity is the result of a developmental process that facilitates individuals to reach an understanding of their profession in conjunction with their own self-concept, enabling them to articulate their role, philosophy, and approach to others within and outside of their chosen. As counselors engage in this individually unique growth process, it is hoped that the counseling profession as a whole will be strengthened as its practitioners and educators reach a heightened sense of purpose and a synergistic collective identity, an identity which is still developing within the profession. The term collective identity refers to having shared goals, resources, and aspirations for the profession. In order for individuals to build a personal relationship with their chosen occupation, it is important for a clear foundation to be established. To build this foundation, a professional philosophy must be constructed which clarifies and distinguishes one’s profession from other similar vocations; in this instance, other mental health fields. In counseling, this foundation is thought to be created by establishing clear professional expectations through licensure, streamlined educational programming, professional organizations, and ethical standards that build on an underlying professional philosophy. This article will review current literature and research on professional identity in the counseling field. This review will then be presented in relation to the external evaluation of success within counseling and counselor education and how this evaluation is influenced and internally understood through one’s gender role beliefs and associated societal expectations.
It is a privilege to interview veteran therapists who are exiting the counseling arena after a long career in the profession. I was honored to shadow Lea Keylon, a seasoned counselor, who on the eve of retirement set aside time for a student interview. The enlightening interview opened my understanding to the importance of proper diagnostic coding for insurance reimbursements, the financial struggles of private practice, and the poignant effect of forensic counseling on therapist (L. Keylon, personal communication, March 26, 2010). Lea was eager to share her counseling accounts; however, the excitement of retirement planning could be seen in her demeanor. Private practice requires self-discipline, constant research for legislative changes, peer support and consultation, time management, tenacity, and patience. The encounter with Lea impressed the importance to surround myself with colleagues that are enthusiastic about learning and continuing education opportunities, to hire assistance for time-consuming administrative task, and adequately assess a proper caseload that will sustain my counseling practice and without avoid counselor burn out (L. Keylon, personal communication, March 26, 2010).
Understanding professional identity help a person who works in a profession such as, health, education, or human services to gain an understanding of the workplace and this can result in leading a successful career. The essay is about the professional and quality agencies guide the provision of safe and effective patient or client care in social work. In the essay firstly professional identity and factors that influence it will be discussed, secondly rules and regulation in social work related to professional identity will be explained, lastly the code of conduct, ethics of the profession social work will be described.
Since 1976, The American Mental Health Counselors Association has been committed to establishing and promoting vigorous standards for education and training, professional practice, and professional ethics for Clinical Mental Health Counselors. So far, this association have 7,000 clinical mental health counselors but its organization is continuously growing (AMHCA).” “The American Mental Health Counselors Association have licensures laws in all 50 states, and the association seeks to enhance the practice of clinical mental health counseling and to promote standards for clinical education and clinical practice that anticipate the future roles of Clinical Mental Health Counselors within the broader health care system. This association was ultimately put together to define and promote professional identity of mental health counselors (AMHCA).”
“Nugent and Jones (2009) defined professional identity as how training and personal characteristics are applied in the professional setting. It was theorized that there was a need for development of a strong professional identity among counselor trainees, because professional identity confusion resulted in several negative consequences when these counselors entered the community workforce (Pistole & Roberts, 2002)”. Counselors play an important role in today’s society. Counseling has evolved through the years into the specialized workforce it is today.
According to author Kendra Cherry, “professional counseling is an application of mental health, psychological or development principles, through cognitive, affective, behavioral or systemic intervention strategies, that address wellness, personal growth, or career development” (Cherry - Paraphrase). Many counselors specialize in specific forms of therapy. Generally, counselors who focus on specific types of counseling methods usually require advanced knowledge in the specific field. Counseling can be described as guidance of an individual by utilizing psychological methods especially in collecting case history information, using various techniques of the personal interview and testing interests as well as aptitudes. Cognitive behavioral therapy is one of the most commonly used methods for psychotherapeutic treatment.
Counseling Psychology is a specialty within the professional psychology that maintains a focus on facilitating personal and interpersonal function across the life span. Those who are Counseling Psychology focuses on the clients emotional, social vocational, education health-related, developmental, and organizational concerns.
A common struggle for counselors can sometimes be to find the right balance between “the demands or managed mental health requirements and obligations to clients” (Braun & Cox, 2005, p.426). Often times counselors may be t...
Present Counseling is defined as a professional relationship that empowers individuals, families, and groups to achieve mental health, wellness, education, and career goals. According to Erford (2018), counseling is a collaborative process where counselors help clients explore their feelings, thoughts, and behaviors to make positive changes. This process involves the use of various therapeutic techniques and theories to support clients in overcoming personal challenges and improving their overall well-being. Counseling is distinct from other helping professions such as psychology, social work, and psychiatry. Psychologists often focus on diagnosing and treating mental disorders, while counselors emphasize a holistic approach to wellness and
Mental Health Counseling Maturity and Counseling Adolescences Palmo's article attempted to explain the status of the mental health counseling profession in 1999. The profession was relatively new, at 20 years in the making. Efforts were still being made to increase public awareness and parity for pay amongst all mental health professions. Mental health counseling was again being placed on a backburner to professions such as social work, psychology, and psychiatry.
A counselor is defined as a person trained to give guidance on personal, social, or psychological problems. Professional counselors help to identify goals and potential solutions to problems which cause emotional or social interruptions. Counseling also improves communication, strengthens self-esteem, and promotes behavior change in relations to mental health. Counseling enables us to appreciate how we are in healthy relationships and safe environments due to some of the bad things others experience. Counseling helps clients understand and clarify their views on life and learn to reach their goals through making wise choices. In most counseling situations, the client is experiencing personal issues such as low self-esteem,
...d willing to recognize and correct errors.”(Ronald M. Epstein & Edward M. Hundert, Downloaded from www.jama.com by guest on August 19, 2008) Maintaining high levels of competence for a lifetime requires self-motivation and self-direction, serious dedication to professionalism and a desire to uphold the standards of the counseling profession, a commitment to one’s personal code of ethics, and a true enjoyment of the quest for learning.