BENCHMARK PROFESSIONAL IDENTITY AND CREDENTIAL 1
Benchmark Professional Identity and Credential
BENCHMARK PROFESSIONAL IDENTITY AND CREDENTIAL 2
Abstract
Counselor professional identity development is important for many reasons including defining,
unifying, and adequately advocating for the profession. Through having a unified, well-defined
professional identity the counseling profession could distinguish itself from all other mental
health-related professions. Counseling as a field of study started in the late 1800s, yet until today
it is still evolving. Today, counseling as defined by the American Counseling Association (ACA)
is a “professional relationship that empowers diverse individuals, families, and groups to
accomplish mental health, wellness, education, and career goals”. Reaching an agreement on a
unified definition of the profession was a great step toward developing professional identity.
However, the counseling profession is still facing various challenges along its development
journey to become unified, standardized, and federally recognized on the national level. These
challenges include licensure requirements discrepancies from state to state, differences in
education and training requirements, and licensure portability.
Keywords: Professional Identity, Counseling.
BENCHMARK PROFESSIONAL IDENTITY AND CREDENTIAL 3
Benchmark Professional Identity and Credential
The Importance of Professional Identity
According to Merriam-Webster (2023), identity is defined as “the distinguishing
character or personality of an individual. Relating this to developing a counselor professional
identity, Simmons stated that professional identity is developed as one “incorporates the
attitudes, values, and activities of the profession” (As cited in Simmons et al., 2020), into who
they are as a person, in addition to knowing the profession's practice standards, regulations, core
values, training and professional association (Simmons et al., 2020). Developing a counselor's
professional identity is important and crucially necessary to gain a sense of belonging to a
unified body, distinguish the role of a professional counselor from other mental health-related
professions, standardize the requirements of licensure nationally, and advocate for the profession
(McKinney et al., 2018). Additionally, professional identity promotes ethical practice and
adherence to the profession’s core values, which are fundamental to the profession's integrity.
The Necessary Components for Professional Identity
The Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs
(CACREP) identified eight common core areas for the professional counseling identity that form
the foundational education, skills, and knowledge required to obtain a master-level counselor
education (Simmons et al. 2020). According to CACREP, those eight areas are: “Professional
counseling orientation and ethical practice, social and cultural diversity, human growth and
development, career development, counseling and helping relationships, group counseling and
group work, assessment and testing, and research and program evaluation” (Section 2:
Professional Counseling Identity, 2023).
BENCHMARK PROFESSIONAL IDENTITY AND CREDENTIAL 4
The Challenges to Professional Identity
Although it took 33 years of advocacy and effort to establish licensure in all 50 states, it
finally happened in 2009 when California became the 50 state to license professional counselors
th
(Lawson et al., 2017). Yet a licensure-related problem still prevails, which is the fact that each
state has different requirements for licensure. The fact that the profession does not have one
unified entity that guides and regulates the profession contributed to the many challenges the
counseling profession identity faces today. One of the results of this hurdle and a significant
challenge in the profession is the difficulty of licensure portability. Another challenge
contributing to this issue is that the profession's education, training, and practice requirements
vary from state to state.
Reaction
As I approach a career and vocational change, it is important to properly understand what
I have chosen as my future vocation. I chose the field of mental health counseling because I
believe that being a counselor is my calling, my talent, and who I am as a person. Since
counseling will be my professional career, it is important to know that my chosen profession will
be well recognized and provide me with work opportunities regardless of where I live. Learning
about the challenges the counseling profession is still facing to become unified, nationally
recognized, and portable worries me; however, it also encourages me to become an active
member of the profession to overcome those challenges.
According to Robyn Simmons, professional identity is important as it “allows for a sense
of belonging, enhances allegiance, fosters competency, and provides a schematic frame of work
for the profession and the professional community” (Simmons et al., 2020, p. 49). Based on this,
I am thankful to have come to the profession at a stage of its development where great progress
BENCHMARK PROFESSIONAL IDENTITY AND CREDENTIAL 5
has been made. The educational and training requirements to become a professional counselor
are clear, although they may vary from state to state. The different state licensure requirements
make licensure portability inconvenient but not impossible. I have all the foundational resources
that will allow me to develop my counselor professional identity.
As a person who receives counseling from a licensed professional counselor and aims to
become a counselor in the future, I have a special appreciation and respect for the counseling
profession. Part of what contributed to this is the program's rigorous and particular educational
requirements. Each of those areas contributes to forming my counselor’s professional identity. It
is important to know the history and ethics of the profession, just as it is important to learn the
skills required to practice it.
I find the issue of licensure portability a major problem that worries me as I seek to
become a licensed professional counselor. My decision to pursue this career stemmed from a
deep desire within me to help people using my gifts and talents. I have always been interested in
understanding the human mind and believe that our thoughts and beliefs contribute significantly
to our well-being or ill-being. Yet, practically, as I approach a new career that will be my source
of making a living, it is important to ensure that I can practice my job anywhere I go. I have lived
in four different states in the past 20 years, and no one knows what the future holds. This fact
contributes to my worry about the problem with licensure portability. Despite my worries, I hope
the advocacy work done by the practitioners, educators, and the various counseling associations
will one day solve this issue. I also gained the understanding that this problem is not solvable.
Licensure portability might require a sacrifice of time, effort, and financial resources, but it will
not completely stop me from practicing my profession should I find myself in a situation where I
must move.
BENCHMARK PROFESSIONAL IDENTITY AND CREDENTIAL 6
Professional Identity Development Plan
My Motivator to Become a Professional Counselor
I have always been interested in learning about human behavior and social psychology.
As a matter of fact, the first course I took in college was a psychology course. Many people
discouraged me from pursuing this career path when I was younger, but now that I am older and
mature, and after gaining more self-awareness, I know that this area is where God entrusted me
with my gifts and talents. As a good steward of those gifts and talents, I want to use them for
God’s glory, in service, and in my future career. I love helping people in a meaningful way, and I
work best in a one-on-one or small group setting. I am interested in building relationships and
finding purpose in helping people find balance, understanding, perspective, and healing. I see the
counselor's role in helping people find healing as a gift of the Holy Spirit and a way for us to be
in the likeness and image of God, who is the ultimate healer.
What will I do to establish my identity as a counselor
My first step to establishing my identity as a counselor is getting the education, training,
and requirements to become a counselor. Obtaining a master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health
Counseling, which includes 60 semester hours (or 90 quarter hours) in a CACREP-accredited
graduate counseling program, a supervised internship of at least 600 hours, including 240 hours
of direct client contact, and a supervised internship of at least 600 hours, including 240 hours of
face-to-face direct client contact. (LU State Licensure Requirements , 2023).
The main challenge I am facing that may present a barrier to my success is my
commitment to a full-time job. I work a very demanding job that consumes most of my waking
hours and energy. This is in addition to the fact that I am married and have household
obligations. Thus, the time I dedicate to studying and completing my course-related assignment
BENCHMARK PROFESSIONAL IDENTITY AND CREDENTIAL 7
is limited. To overcome this problem, I asked for support, both from my supervisor at work and
from my husband. I requested to work a short week to free more time to study on Fridays and the
time I allocate to studying every weekend. I also asked for support from my husband to free
more of my time at home for studying. I am thankful that I have the support of my husband
because pursuing my educational and career goal would not have been possible without his
support.
State and website: Virginia:
https://www.dhp.virginia.gov/counseling/counseling_handbo
oks.htm
What are the academic training
requirements:
(include the number of hours in
program; specific course content/titles,
and number of hours in
According to the Virginia Board of Counseling, LPC
Licensure Proceed Handbook, to become a LPC in Virginia,
“your degree must be either CACREP or CORE accredited or
be a graduate degree from a program that prepares individuals
to practice counseling, which is offered by a college or
BENCHMARK PROFESSIONAL IDENTITY AND CREDENTIAL 8
State and website: Virginia:
https://www.dhp.virginia.gov/counseling/counseling_handbo
oks.htm
practicum/internship) university accredited by a regional accrediting agency and
which meets the following criteria: 1. Academic study with
the expressed intent to prepare counselors; 2. Identifiable
counselor training faculty (licensed LPC faculty) with an
identifiable body of students; and, 3. Have clear authority and
primary responsibility for the core and specialty area.
Additionally, the regulations require you to complete 60
graduate semester hours or 90 graduate quarter hours that
must include three (3) semester hours or four (4) quarter
hours in the following 13 core content areas: Professional
counseling identity, function and ethics - Theories of
counseling & psychotherapy - Counseling & psychotherapy
techniques- Human growth & development - Group
counseling and psychotherapy, theories and techniques -
Career counseling and development theories and techniques -
Appraisal, evaluation & diagnostic procedures - Abnormal
behavior and psychopathology - Multicultural counseling,
theories and techniques - Research - Diagnosis and treatment
of addictive disorders - Marriage and family systems theory -
Supervised internship of at least 600 hours to include 240
hours of face-to-face direct client contact.”
What are requirements for post-
master’s supervised clinical experience:
(i.e., number of client contact hours, or
MFT, number of relational hours);
number of total hours; number of
supervision hours; specific requirements
of supervisor)
According to the Virginia Board of Counseling, LPC
Licensure Proceed Handbook, “requirements for post-
master’s supervised clinical experience include: 3,400 hours
supervised residency in counseling practice with various
populations, clinical problems and theoretical approaches in
the following areas: Assessment and diagnosis using
psychotherapy techniques, Appraisal, evaluation, and
diagnostic procedures, Treatment planning and
implementation, Case management and record keeping,
Professional counselor identity and function, Professional
ethics and standard of practice.
2,000 hours of face-to-face client contact must be
documented within this 3,400-hour residency. Graduate
internship hours in excess of 600 hours, may count for up to
an additional 300 hours towards the total residency
requirements if the internship was earned after the completion
of 30 graduate semester hours.
A minimum of 200 hours of supervisory sessions, occurring
at a minimum of 1 hour and a maximum of 4 hours of
BENCHMARK PROFESSIONAL IDENTITY AND CREDENTIAL 9
State and website: Virginia:
https://www.dhp.virginia.gov/counseling/counseling_handbo
oks.htm
supervision per 40 hours of work experience, during the
period of the residency. 100 hours of the 200 required hours
must be obtained under board-approved supervision with a
Licensed Professional Counselor. Up to 20 hours of the
supervision received during the supervised internship may be
counted toward the 200 hours of in-person supervision if the
supervision was provided by an LPC. Group supervision
hours are equivalent to individual supervision hours,
however, only half of the 200 required hours may be obtained
in group supervision.
You must complete your residency in no less than 21 months
and no more than four years.
Supervisor Requirements A licensee who provides
supervision for a Licensed Resident in Counseling must: 1.
Document two years of post-licensure clinical experience; 2.
Have received professional training in supervision, consisting
of three (3) credit hours or four (4) quarter hours in graduate-
level coursework in supervision or at least 20 hours of
continuing education in supervision offered by a provider
approved under 18VAC115-20-106; and 3. Must hold an
active, unrestricted license as a professional counselor
(LPC).”
What examination(s) are required: To become licensed as an LPC by the Board you must pass
the National Clinical Mental Health Counselors Examination
(NCMHCE).
What is licensure title:
(e.g., LPC, LCPC, LMHC, LMFT, etc. –
please write out the full title as well as
initials):
Licensed professional counselor (LPC).
Is license tiered and if so, what are titles
and requirements (e.g., LPC, LPC-S):
No. One License. Licensed professional counselor (LPC).
What is the scope of practice (i.e., what
can and cannot be done by a licensed
professional):
According to the Commonwealth of Virginia Regulations
Governing the Practice of Professional Coursing and the
Virginia Board of Counseling (Regulations: 18 VAC 115-20-
10 et seq. the following standards shall apply to the practice
of counseling:
“Persons licensed or registered by the board shall:
1. Practice in a manner that is in the best interest of the public
BENCHMARK PROFESSIONAL IDENTITY AND CREDENTIAL 10
State and website: Virginia:
https://www.dhp.virginia.gov/counseling/counseling_handbo
oks.htm
and does not endanger the public health, safety, or welfare.
2. Practice only within the boundaries of their competence,
based on their education, training, supervised experience, and
appropriate professional experience and represent their
education, training, and experience accurately to clients.
3. Stay abreast of new counseling information, concepts,
applications, and practices that are necessary to providing
appropriate, effective professional services.
4. Be able to justify all services rendered to clients as
necessary and appropriate for diagnostic or therapeutic
purposes.
5. Document the need for and steps taken to terminate a
counseling relationship when it becomes clear that the client
is not benefiting from the relationship. Document the
assistance provided in making appropriate arrangements for
the continuation of treatment for clients, when necessary,
following termination of a counseling relationship.
6. Make appropriate arrangements for continuation of
services, when necessary, during interruptions such as
vacations, unavailability, relocation, illness, and disability.
7. Disclose to clients all experimental methods of treatment
and inform clients of the risks and benefits of any such
treatment. Ensure that the welfare of the clients is in no way
compromised in any experimentation or research involving
those clients.
8. Neither accept nor give commissions, rebates, or other
forms of remuneration for referral of clients for professional
services.
9. Inform clients of the purposes, goals, techniques,
procedures, limitations, potential risks, and benefits of
services to be performed; the limitations of confidentiality;
and other pertinent information when counseling is initiated
and throughout the counseling process as necessary. Provide
clients with accurate information regarding the implications
of diagnosis, the intended use of tests and reports, fees, and
billing arrangements.
10. Select tests for use with clients that are valid, reliable, and
appropriate and carefully interpret the performance of
individuals not represented in standardized norms.
11. Determine whether a client is receiving services from
another mental health service provider, and if so, refrain from
BENCHMARK PROFESSIONAL IDENTITY AND CREDENTIAL 11
State and website: Virginia:
https://www.dhp.virginia.gov/counseling/counseling_handbo
oks.htm
providing services to the client without having an informed
consent discussion with the client and having been granted
communication privileges with the other professional.
12. Use only in connection with one's practice as a mental
health professional those educational and professional
degrees or titles that have been earned at a college or
university accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by
the U.S. Department of Education, or credentials granted by a
national certifying agency, and that are counseling in nature.
13. Advertise professional services fairly and accurately in a
manner that is not false, misleading, or deceptive; and
14. Not engage in conversion therapy with any person
younger than 18 years of age.”
Identify two counseling organizations
you wish to join.
American Counseling Association (ACA)
American Association for Christian Counselors (AACC)
Summary and reaction to Turnitin Report
My paper has been analyzed by Turnitin the results indicated a similarity percentage score of
55%, which at first was alarming. However, according to the information provided under the
BENCHMARK PROFESSIONAL IDENTITY AND CREDENTIAL 12
submission details, the similarity percentage is not a measure of plagiarism but rather the
calculation based on dividing the number of matching words by the total number of words. In
general, being unfamiliar with the report and seeing it for the first time was overwhelming and
made me feel a little anxious. However, learning more about what the report represents allowed
me to make sense of the report and significantly decreased my anxiety.
After reviewing each of the 47 highlighted texts, I realized that some of the highlighted
text is necessary and could not be changed, including some terminology, definitions, and level
headings. Other highlighted areas needed to be correctly cited. I made some edits and updates to
ensure my work is properly cited and referenced. Additionally, I submitted my document for
review by the Liberty University Writing Center and made additional modifications based on the
feedback I received.
References
CACREP. (2023, January 17) Section 2: Professional Counseling Identity.
https://www.cacrep.org/section-2-professional-counseling-identity/
BENCHMARK PROFESSIONAL IDENTITY AND CREDENTIAL 13
Lawson, G., Trepal, H. C., Lee, R. W., & Kress, V. (2017). Advocating for Educational
Standards in Counselor Licensure Laws. , 162-176.Counselor Education & Supervision
Liberty University State Licensure Requirements. (2023, January 18).
https://www.liberty.edu/statelicensure/cmhc-ma-d/va/
McKinney, R., West, E., Fye, M., Bradley, R., & Storlie, C. A. (2018). Chi Sigma Iota Chapter
Faculty Advisors' Experiences of Professional Counselor Identity. Journal of Counselor
Leadership and Advocacy, 56-70.
Merriam-Webster Dictionary. (2023). . Dictionary
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/identity
Simmons, R., Stacey, L., & Kuhnley, A. (2020). Introduction to counseling integration of
faith, professional identity, and clinical practice. Dubuque: Kendall Hunt Publishing
Company.
