Counselor Identity Paper Instructions
The purpose of the Counselor Identity Paper is to:
Articulate your reaction to current trends in professional counselor identity.
Teach you how to access and use the Liberty University Online Library.
Correctly identify scholarly sources appropriate for use in professional papers.
Define plagiarism and demonstrate use of SafeAssign software in order to
check your own papers for plagiarism throughout your program. (Syllabus
MLOs: A, B and Module/Week 2 LOs 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7)
Be sure to review Steps 1 – 11, including the addition of the SafeAssign reflection
page.
Step 1: Access and review the information found in the Module/Week 2 Reading &
Study folder.
Step 2: Access Jerry Falwell Library; retrieve and read the following articles:
Spurgeon, S. (2012). Counselor identity : A national imperative. Journal of
Professional Counseling, Practice, Theory, and Research, 39, 3-16.
Lawson, G., Trepal, H.C, Lee, R. W., Kress, V. E. (2017). Advocating for educational
standards in counselor licensure laws. Counselor Education and Supervision, 56,
162-176.
Step 3: Listen to the following podcast:
Shook, M. (Producer). (2017, February 8). What Makes a Counselor a Counselor?
Professional Identity and Other Musings with Carl Sheperis [Audio Podcast]. The
Thoughtful Counselor. Retrieved from http://wp.me/p7R6fn-8u
Step 4: Write a reaction paper on the article. Your paper must be in current APA
format (including running heads, a title page, abstract, and reference page). The
abstract must provide a brief, comprehensive summary of the contents of the article
in 150–250 words. Note: the title page, abstract, and reference page do not
contribute toward the page requirement.
Divide your paper into the following sections and headings:
Summary – Summarize the main points of the articles and podcast in 1-2
pages.
Reactions– In your own words (1 page), interact with the materials.
Appropriate comments for this part of the paper must include, but are not
limited to: your understanding of professional identity, your comments
regarding the challenges, insights you gained from the articles and podcast,
and other thoughts you have that might further enhance the discussion of
professional counselor identiy.
Summary and Reactions to SafeAssign Report (See Steps 8-11)
Step 5: Submit your paper via the SafeAssign draft link by 11:59 p.m. (ET) on
Saturday of Module/Week 2.
Step 6: Wait until the link indicates that SafeAssign has analyzed your paper and
prepared a report. If you are uncertain about this step, see the website on
SafeAssign in the Reading & Study folder of Module/Week 2.
Step 7: Open the SafeAssign report. (Again, if you are uncertain, see the directions
on using SafeAssign referenced above.) Evaluate the report. You will notice that
SafeAssign often matches on headings, titles, and references. If you see matches on
entire sentences or paragraphs that are not enclosed in direct quotation marks, then
you have unintentionally plagiarized. You will need to go back and re-write those
sections in your own words.
Step 8: Return to your original paper.
Step 9: Add a section on your paper entitled “Summary and Reactions to SafeAssign
Report.” In this section, summarize the results of your SafeAssign report in 1 page.
Then, interpret the report. What do your results indicate? Why? What are your
reactions to the report?
Step 10: Save your paper as a Microsoft Word document using your name and
assignment title (e.g., Doe_J_assignment_1).
Step 11: Submit the final paper using the second assignment link. This assignment
will be submitted via Blackboard and LiveText.
Submit your final assignment by 11:59 p.m. (ET) on Saturday of Module/Week 2.
Running head: COUNSELOR IDENTITY 1
Counselor Identity
Student’s name:
Institutional affiliation:
COUNSELOR IDENTITY 2
Abstract
Counselor identity is currently the main concern and problem facing profession
counsellors and counselor educators. This is because there are different licensure laws in the
different states, which makes licensure portability hard. Although this is true, the ACA 20/20: A
Vision for the Future of Counseling, helped to advance the activism towards standardization of
educational standards, licensure laws, licensure requirements, and licensure portability in the
different states. There are many developments towards standardization and Dr. Carl Sheperis
reveals that counselling as a profession is taking a twist where it needs to be called neurological
science. Dr. Carl Sheperis is hopeful that the profession will advance in the near future to enable
free movement of counsellors from state to state as well as better recognition of the work of
counsellors among the populace. There is also need to ensure that all organizations collaborate in
supporting the formulated definition of counselling, as well as push for a change in the licensing
practice of counsellors. Achieving standardized licensure requirements in all the states is
mandatory considering that all the accreditation is done by Council for Accreditation of
Counseling and Related Educational Programs [CACREP].
COUNSELOR IDENTITY 3
Counselor Identity
Summary of articles and podcast
Counselor identity requires specific educational requirements which culminates in the
licensure as provided by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational
Programs [CACREP] (Lawson, Trepal, Lee, Kress, 2017). One thing that remains a big
challenge to the counseling profession is differences in licensure requirements for the various
states, which hinders collaboration between states as well as hindering free relocation of
counsellors from one state to another (Lawson et al., 2017). The lack of standardized licensure
requirements and laws has also barred recognition in federal health programs. This has led to the
profession remaining secluded for independent practice. Lawson et al. (2017) present that
Virginia was the first state to enact counsellor licensure laws in 1976 and California became the
last state to enact the counsellor practice laws in 2009. Although it took long for the profession to
be recognized in all the states, Lawson et al. (2017) are hopeful that the profession will advance
rapidly in the near future to enable easier licensure portability as well as standardization of
licensure requirements.
Dr. Carl Sheperis argues that the lack of consensus and collaboration between different
groups of counsellors is the first challenge towards standardization of the counselling profession.
Dr. Carl Sheperis gives the 20/20 agreed upon definition of counselling as a profession to be a
professional relationship that empowers diverse individuals, communities, families, and groups
to accomplish mental wellness and enhance their goals achievement in profession, education,
life, and career goals (Shook, 2017). The wellness component of counsellors is the defining
aspect of the counselling profession. The strength-based wellness approach of counselling helped
in defining the profession as a wellness oriented profession (Shook, 2017). The profession uses
COUNSELOR IDENTITY 4
the strength–based approach to help individuals improve in life and live a better life. The podcast
presents information on how to carve the counsellor identity such that it is a standardized
profession throughout the United States. Dr. Carl Sheperis proposes that counselling needs to be
termed as a “neurological science” (Shook, 2017). He presents evidence that research at Lamar
University identified specific electrical brain activity when human brain was observed using the
electroencephalography. This method proved that probability could be used to determine whether
the counsellor intervention on a patient could be successful or not. The speaker states that
differential equations could be used to describe the science behind brain activity and how
counsellors could impact on this brain activity in a positive way (Shook, 2017). Dr. Carl Sheperis
proposes that there is need to design integrated insurance models that are able to cater for all
patients even those using counsellors. There is also need to put counsellors in the same
workplace as medical practitioners. Dr. Carl Sheperis argues that putting counsellors in the
healthcare system will have invaluable benefits to the patients (Shook, 2017). Dr. Carl Sheperis
argues that pairing the work of counsellors with that of medical practitioners would help to
prevent cases of patients suing counsellors if they do not like them.
According to Spurgeon (2012), counseling as a profession has come a long way in
shaping itself as a unique profession. Counselling is different from psychology and social work
and has formed itself as a profession concerned with patient wellbeing. The author presents the
20/20 definition of counselling that helped to redefine counseling and make it more inclusive and
generalized. The definition focusses on improving wellness of an individual, both physically and
mentally to enable one become better or able to develop themselves (Spurgeon, 2012). The
author argues that the current state-based licensure laws do not provide a reliable definition of
counselling. The author argues that having a universal licensure regulation and laws would help
COUNSELOR IDENTITY 5
to make the counselling profession more distinct and beneficial to users as well as the larger
healthcare system.
Reaction
It is true that there is a big challenge in identifying the true identity of professional
counsellors and counsellor educators. The identity of counsellors remains to be a big illusion for
many individuals because of the different definitions that define counsellors, as well as the
differences in licensure laws and standards in the different states. I believe that identity is carved
from the unchanging nature of someone of thing such that it is not influenced by time, age,
region, or other factors (Lawson et al. 2017). As such, there is need to ensure that these aspects
are constants when focusing on the counselling profession to ensure that it has a lasting identity
as a profession. Having specific and well elaborated requirements for all will also standardize the
profession, ensuring that all individuals and organizations that offer the service have what it
takes to offer the services they offer. The portability of a profession from one country to another
or from one state to another is another defining feature of it identity. A profession has a strong
identity if its services and needs do not change with change in geographic location.
The counseling profession has many challenges in achieving a true defining identity. This
challenge stems from the differences within groups and between groups. Considering that
counselling is a growing profession in all the countries, there is need to ensure that there is
national standardization of this profession to move the differences to inter-country standards
(Spurgeon, 2012). For the case of the United States, there is need to standardize the requirements
for licensure as well as the professional name and code so that counselling is portable across
states. The articles and podcasts helped me to understand the challenges facing the counselling
profession as well as the factors causing challenges in establishing a strong counsellor definition
COUNSELOR IDENTITY 6
and identity. I have strong conviction that activism on this issue will help to change policies an
enhance standardization in licensure as well as practice.
COUNSELOR IDENTITY 7
References
Lawson, G., Trepal, H. C, Lee, R. W., Kress, V. E. (2017). Advocating for educational standards
in counselor licensure laws. Counselor Education and Supervision, 56, 162-176.
Shook, M. (Producer). (2017). What Makes a Counselor a Counselor? Professional Identity and
Other Musings with Carl Sheperis [Audio Podcast]. The Thoughtful Counselor. Retrieved
from http://wp.me/p7R6fn-8u.
Spurgeon, S. (2012). Counselor identity: A national imperative. Journal of Professional
Counseling, Practice, Theory, and Research, 39, 3-16.
Running head: COUNSELOR IDENTITY 1
Counselor Identity
Student’s name:
Institutional affiliation:
COUNSELOR IDENTITY 2
Abstract
Counselor identity is currently the main concern and problem facing profession
counsellors and counselor educators. This is because there are different licensure laws in the
different states, which makes licensure portability hard. Although this is true, the ACA 20/20: A
Vision for the Future of Counseling, helped to advance the activism towards standardization of
educational standards, licensure laws, licensure requirements, and licensure portability in the
different states. There are many developments towards standardization and Dr. Carl Sheperis
reveals that counselling as a profession is taking a twist where it needs to be called neurological
science. Dr. Carl Sheperis is hopeful that the profession will advance in the near future to enable
free movement of counsellors from state to state as well as better recognition of the work of
counsellors among the populace. There is also need to ensure that all organizations collaborate in
supporting the formulated definition of counselling, as well as push for a change in the licensing
practice of counsellors. Achieving standardized licensure requirements in all the states is
mandatory considering that all the accreditation is done by Council for Accreditation of
Counseling and Related Educational Programs [CACREP].
COUNSELOR IDENTITY 3
Counselor Identity
Summary of articles and podcast
Counselor identity requires specific educational requirements which culminates in the
licensure as provided by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational
Programs [CACREP] (Lawson, Trepal, Lee, Kress, 2017). One thing that remains a big
challenge to the counseling profession is differences in licensure requirements for the various
states, which hinders collaboration between states as well as hindering free relocation of
counsellors from one state to another (Lawson et al., 2017). The lack of standardized licensure
requirements and laws has also barred recognition in federal health programs. This has led to the
profession remaining secluded for independent practice. Lawson et al. (2017) present that
Virginia was the first state to enact counsellor licensure laws in 1976 and California became the
last state to enact the counsellor practice laws in 2009. Although it took long for the profession to
be recognized in all the states, Lawson et al. (2017) are hopeful that the profession will advance
rapidly in the near future to enable easier licensure portability as well as standardization of
licensure requirements.
Dr. Carl Sheperis argues that the lack of consensus and collaboration between different
groups of counsellors is the first challenge towards standardization of the counselling profession.
Dr. Carl Sheperis gives the 20/20 agreed upon definition of counselling as a profession to be a
professional relationship that empowers diverse individuals, communities, families, and groups
to accomplish mental wellness and enhance their goals achievement in profession, education,
life, and career goals (Shook, 2017). The wellness component of counsellors is the defining
aspect of the counselling profession. The strength-based wellness approach of counselling helped
in defining the profession as a wellness oriented profession (Shook, 2017). The profession uses
COUNSELOR IDENTITY 4
the strength–based approach to help individuals improve in life and live a better life. The podcast
presents information on how to carve the counsellor identity such that it is a standardized
profession throughout the United States. Dr. Carl Sheperis proposes that counselling needs to be
termed as a “neurological science” (Shook, 2017). He presents evidence that research at Lamar
University identified specific electrical brain activity when human brain was observed using the
electroencephalography. This method proved that probability could be used to determine whether
the counsellor intervention on a patient could be successful or not. The speaker states that
differential equations could be used to describe the science behind brain activity and how
counsellors could impact on this brain activity in a positive way (Shook, 2017). Dr. Carl Sheperis
proposes that there is need to design integrated insurance models that are able to cater for all
patients even those using counsellors. There is also need to put counsellors in the same
workplace as medical practitioners. Dr. Carl Sheperis argues that putting counsellors in the
healthcare system will have invaluable benefits to the patients (Shook, 2017). Dr. Carl Sheperis
argues that pairing the work of counsellors with that of medical practitioners would help to
prevent cases of patients suing counsellors if they do not like them.
According to Spurgeon (2012), counseling as a profession has come a long way in
shaping itself as a unique profession. Counselling is different from psychology and social work
and has formed itself as a profession concerned with patient wellbeing. The author presents the
20/20 definition of counselling that helped to redefine counseling and make it more inclusive and
generalized. The definition focusses on improving wellness of an individual, both physically and
mentally to enable one become better or able to develop themselves (Spurgeon, 2012). The
author argues that the current state-based licensure laws do not provide a reliable definition of
counselling. The author argues that having a universal licensure regulation and laws would help
COUNSELOR IDENTITY 5
to make the counselling profession more distinct and beneficial to users as well as the larger
healthcare system.
Reaction
It is true that there is a big challenge in identifying the true identity of professional
counsellors and counsellor educators. The identity of counsellors remains to be a big illusion for
many individuals because of the different definitions that define counsellors, as well as the
differences in licensure laws and standards in the different states. I believe that identity is carved
from the unchanging nature of someone of thing such that it is not influenced by time, age,
region, or other factors (Lawson et al. 2017). As such, there is need to ensure that these aspects
are constants when focusing on the counselling profession to ensure that it has a lasting identity
as a profession. Having specific and well elaborated requirements for all will also standardize the
profession, ensuring that all individuals and organizations that offer the service have what it
takes to offer the services they offer. The portability of a profession from one country to another
or from one state to another is another defining feature of it identity. A profession has a strong
identity if its services and needs do not change with change in geographic location.
The counseling profession has many challenges in achieving a true defining identity. This
challenge stems from the differences within groups and between groups. Considering that
counselling is a growing profession in all the countries, there is need to ensure that there is
national standardization of this profession to move the differences to inter-country standards
(Spurgeon, 2012). For the case of the United States, there is need to standardize the requirements
for licensure as well as the professional name and code so that counselling is portable across
states. The articles and podcasts helped me to understand the challenges facing the counselling
profession as well as the factors causing challenges in establishing a strong counsellor definition
COUNSELOR IDENTITY 6
and identity. I have strong conviction that activism on this issue will help to change policies an
enhance standardization in licensure as well as practice.
COUNSELOR IDENTITY 7
References
Lawson, G., Trepal, H. C, Lee, R. W., Kress, V. E. (2017). Advocating for educational standards
in counselor licensure laws. Counselor Education and Supervision, 56, 162-176.
Shook, M. (Producer). (2017). What Makes a Counselor a Counselor? Professional Identity and
Other Musings with Carl Sheperis [Audio Podcast]. The Thoughtful Counselor. Retrieved
from http://wp.me/p7R6fn-8u.
Spurgeon, S. (2012). Counselor identity: A national imperative. Journal of Professional
Counseling, Practice, Theory, and Research, 39, 3-16.
