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Counselor Identity
Finding your Counselor Identity
Samantha Deenihan
School of Clinical Mental Health Counselor, Liberty University
Abstract
Finding your identity can be difficult, “Over the past 3 decades, counseling leaders have
expressed ongoing concern about counselor identity, licensure, and the future of the
profession” (Mascari & Webber,2013). But there are some aspects that you can investigate, that
can help you find your identity. You should look at your role, meaning understand what your
purpose is, this can be asking yourself that simple question of “What exactly do I do” (Simmons
et al, 2019). Understanding what your occupation is and what your responsibilities are, can
help you find and have that identity. Looking into the history, seeing how the culture changes
(Simmons et al, 2019) , and how figures such as G. Stanley Hall (Simmones et al, 2020), Carl
Rogers (Simmones et al 2019) help build counseling to what it is today. As well as looking at the
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preexisting organizations like the ACA, CAPS,CACREP, and many more. They always have lots of
information that you should know and will help you shape and build your identity.
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Counselor Identity
Finding your Counselor Identity
There is not a time limit on when you will find your identity, some may say that we will
keep finding our identity as more books are published, conventions happen, etc. But finding out
who are as a counselor is important because it could help you determine what kind of counselor
you want to be. Understanding the different types of counselor positions (Simmons et al, 2019)
there are and the different types of environments you could be working in, can help you make a
decision on where this career might take you. When it comes to finding your professional
identity, it is important to weigh out all options to make sure that the profession that is chosen,
is what one would see themselves doing for a long time. This could be asking yourself if you feel
that this career is something that you can take on.
What is your professional identity? Is it the viewpoints, values, beliefs that we hold in
this profession? Can it also be related to the resources that are being provided from this
profession? Professional identity is all of these things. “Professional identity development is a
process by which an individual reaches an understanding of her or his profession in conjunction
with her or his own self-concept, enabling the articulation of occupational role, philosophy, and
professional approach to people within and outside of the individual’s chosen field” ( Brott &
Mayers, 1999, Smith & Robinson, 1995, as cited in Healey & Hays 2011). There are pros and
there are cons to finding an identity. But even with the cons finding your identity is important
because it will establish who you are as a professional. The challenges that you will face will be
difficult, but you should be confident in yourself and of your professional abilities that you can
push through. You need to be confident in the doing of your “doing” of your identity.
Summary
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Counselor Identity
The Importance of Professional Identity
The term professional identity is often used without a clear definition or with conflicting
definitions (Fitzgerald, 2020). According to Godfrey and Crigger (2017) there are five categories
of professional identity, they are doing, being, acting ethically, flourishing, and changing
identities. The act of doing is going to include the codes and standard of the discipline and
society expectations. Understanding how one functions as a member of this group is a central to
learning the skill- the “doing” part. This “doing” part is essential and important part of being a
counselor and in many fields (Farozin, 2019). But it does not fully explain how someone will
become a counselor etc. When working in a field that is helping someone else, you have the
mindset of “a desire to do what is good”, this internal drive is called “being”. This category can
be demonstrated and is usually demonstrated through attitudes and behavior that reflect
thinking, feelings and acting professional (Amason & Stover, 2022). The state of being is
informed by social and professional rules, principles, laws etc. In all types of work there is some
sort of ethic code that the employees have to follow. This is how we know where the line is and
what we need to do to stay inbounds. This is also helpful because if we do not think we can stay
inbounds of these codes we should not partake in this profession. Flourishing is simply being
able to take steps toward professional transformation. Changing while the profession is
changing and being able to keep up with the times is important when you are finding your
identity. You are keeping up with advances, articles, etc. You want to want to keep up so you can
be the best version of yourself that you can be for your profession. Having that identity can and
will help you determine what kind of professional you want to be. You will be able to determine
what your strengths, values, and aspirations are. Having a strong professional identity is
significant. Not only does this help how you see yourself, but it helps how others see you. It sets
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Counselor Identity
the tone of who you are as a professional. Having an identity influences how other professionals
and you perceive, explain, and conduct themselves (Janke et al, 2021).
The Necessary Components for Professional Identity
There are component in a professional identity that is carried through three domains,
role transitions, solicitation, and identify work ( Prett et al, 2006 as cited in Cavazos
Montemayorr et al, 2020). Role transitions mean that identities can change as the individual
makes progress in their career. For example, if you are a care coordinator in a mental health care
facility then you get bumped up to residential supervisor. Socialization can mean that your
organizations help shape your identity. Meaning how your place of work runs things can help
shape your identity. This also is where picking up people's different teaching styles, how they
interact with clients; this can all affect how your identity is. Identity work can refer to how the
individuals actively build their identity through the process. Your professional identity can be
composed by elements of self-image, job satisfaction, attitude towards change, expectations
about the future of your profession, social recognition etc. Everything that you experience, you
read about will affect your professional identity and help shape you into the professional that
you are. Sometime unnecessary component is having that ethical spiritual/religious integration.
When you have these religious beliefs so strongly sometimes it can be difficult to practice some
professions. “Many beginning counselors who also identify themselves as Christians, imagine
themselves dispensing additional passages from the Bible that will instruct and edify the client
sitting before them”( Daniel, 2020). Meaning that some counselors that are Christian
encompass some of the teachings that they have into counseling, but being aware of that
ethical boundary of not pressing their religion on their client. As a counselor you are allowed to
have your own values attitudes and beliefs but you need to avoid imposing your own beliefs
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Counselor Identity
onto your clients. This also meaning that you cannot refer clients due to these differences that
they have with you but instead seek more training on how to work with clients that don't
believe in what you believe.
The Challenges of Professional Identity
When you're first starting out in any profession, you tend to not have as much insight as
others you may be working with. All you really have is knowledge on what you're taught in
school before branching out into the professional workplace. You are going to be insecure, have
lack of insight and control, and rely upon your coworkers for guidance. It's going to be hard
finding your identity at first. Starting a new profession and finding your identity all over again is
not easy and it will take time. Every day the professional field is changing. You will not be up to
date on some tasks and knowledge. But sticking to your knowledge you have of the industry, the
ethic of your work, and your skill set you have to believe you will be fine. You may experience
confusion about your knowledge and question every move you make because you may hear
something read something that you don't understand. But you can always ask questions and
gain that knowledge that you think you may lack and then you will feel secure with your abilities
and then be able to identify areas where you need improvement and work on improving them
(Alves & Gazzola, 2011). Some challenges that you also might face are trying to determine a
specialty to work with. In the mental health care field there are a lot of areas that you can go
into that's why gaining this knowledge in the beginning is so important so you already have that
identity.
Professional Identity Plan
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Counselor Identity
Motivations for Becoming a Professional Counselor
My motivations to become a professional counselor currently happened in October. I
recently started a job at residential facility for adolescent girls. It was my first job in the mental
health care field. I have heard about short term and long term care facilities (Simmons et al,
2019) but I've never experienced working in one or being in one myself or knew of anybody that
was currently or have been in them. I also did not have a lot of experience in mental health, I
personally have never had severe mental health issues where I would have been put in a short
term or long-term care facility. But when I started working where I currently work, I started to
understand mental health more and want to do more to help these adolescent girls. I saw how
much these adolescents were struggling and I learned more about them and realized I wanted
to do more. I became close to the counselor that we had at the time and got fascinated with her
work and what she would do for them. I also saw the difference that they would make in these
adolescents lives and I wanted to be a part of the change. I know as a care coordinator I also
make changes in these adolescents lives but I want to do more of the counseling end. I want to
help them process there are issues that they're having and help them find healthier ways to
deal with these emotions that they're dealing with. Watching these adolescents deal with these
emotions and internal conflicts, external conflicts is motivating me to want to do more. A lot of
people are struggling out in the world with mental health because most people don't
understand it and if I can help bring awareness two mental health then that is what I want to
do.
Personal Steps to Establish Identity as a Professional Counselor
What my steps are to personally establish my identity as a professional counselor is to
1st gain as much knowledge the concept of counseling as I can. Knowledge is power not having
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Counselor Identity
that counseling experience will make it difficult but if I read up on the history, learn about the
roles and practice settings (Simmons at el, 2019),ask questions when I don't know something I
will become more knowledgeable on the topic so when I am ready to be put into that counter
position
I know a lot of information. I will also think about my experience that I've had in the mental
health care field in my current job and use that experience to help me as a counselor. Thinking
of how I've already helped some clients I know that what I'm currently doing is right, but now
doing it according to the counselor ethics code will be my next step. Making sure I don't cross
those ethical boundaries is important. I can also make sure I'm up to date on teaching practices
and articles to make sure I'm doing my job to the best of my ability.
Potential Challenges
In every workplace you're going to hit some challenges. Some challenges that I could
face in this field are making sure that my personal life and emotions do not affect how I do my
job. Sitting with clients hearing them process their emotions, negative thoughts can be difficult
because you may want to do so much more for them but ethically you can't. And sometimes it's
a tough pill to swallow. How I could manage this barrier is making sure that I'm doing everything
to the best of my ability, active listening to them when they're speaking to me, making sure i'm
taking enough notes about them, coordinating with the rest of their team, making sure that I
am not leaving anything out. Another challenge I could potentially face is my professional
workplace. There are a lot of moving parts in the healthcare field and sometimes everybody's
job duties get mixed up in the process. A strategy that I can use to make sure that I'm doing my
role is reiterate to myself what my role is and keep confirming what my role includes and what it
does not include. Simmons (2019) Touches upon a lot of roles that are in the mental health care
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Counselor Identity
field such as psychiatrists, psychologists etc. And making sure you're not stepping on anybody's
toes and staying in your lane is important and it helps the workplace flow. There may be times
where you're crossing paths and talking to these other departments but it's important to make
sure that you are doing your job and nobody else’s.
State Credential Plan
State and website:
What are the academic training requirements:
(include the number of hours in program; specific
course
content/titles, and number of hours in
practicum/internship)
Requires a master's degree in counseling, 60 graduate credit
hours, including 12 specified courses and a 600-hour
internship.
What are requirements for postmaster’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)
The LPC also requires completion of 3,400 additional
supervised post-master’s degree residency hours in an
applicable work setting and a passing score on a qualifying
written examination. with at least 2,000 hours of direct client
contact and a minimum of 200 hours of face-to-face direction
from an approved supervisor at a rate of at least one hour of
direction for every 40 hours of practice.
What examination(s) are required: passing score on the National Clinical Mental Health
Counseling Exam (NCMHCE), which tests knowledge of
assessment, diagnosis, counseling, psychotherapy,
administration, consultation, and supervision. It consists of 10
clinical mental health counseling cases and assesses clinical
problem-solving ability by testing identification, analysis, and
treatment. It is administered by the National Board for
Certified Counselors.
What is licensure title:
(e.g., LPC, LCPC, LMHC, LMFT, etc. – please write
out the full title as well as initials):
LPC- licensed professional counselor
LPC-MHs- license professional counselors- mental health
LMFT- licensed marriage and family therapy
LSATP- licensed substance abuse treatment practitioner
CSAC- certified substance abuse counselor
Is license tiered and if so, what are titles and
requirements (e.g., LPC, LPC-S):
There is only one level of licensure in Virginia, LPC
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Counselor Identity
What is the scope of practice (i.e., what can and
cannot be done by a licensed professional):
“PRACTICE OF COUNSELING” means rendering or
offering to render to individuals, groups, organizations, or the
general public any service involving the application of
principles, methods or procedures of the counseling
profession, which shall include appraisal, counseling, and
referral activities. “COUNSELING” means the therapeutic
process of: (i) conducting assessments and diagnoses for the
purpose of establishing treatment goals and objectives and
(ii) planning, implementing, and evaluating treatment plans
using
State and website:
treatment interventions to facilitate human development and
to identify and remediate mental, emotional or behavioral
disorders and associated distresses which interfere with
mental health. “COUNSELING TREATMENT
INTERVENTION” means those cognitive, affective, behavioral
and systemic counseling strategies, techniques and methods
common to the behavioral sciences that are specifically
implemented in the context of a therapeutic relationship.
Other treatment interventions include developmental
counseling, guidance, and consulting to facilitate normal
growth and development, including educational and career
development.
Identify two counseling organizations you wish to
join.
1. Virginia counselors association
2. the counseling alliance of Virginia
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Conclusion
Finding your identity in a professional setting can be difficult. But if you spend the time
to become knowledgeable, have the experience, keep wanting to learn more in your
professional field, the best professional being that you can be; you will be able to find your
identity. It may take until you are working in that workplace to be able to truly find your
professional identity, but if you work hard at it beforehand by reading everything there is to
read, having some experience through internships, you will be able to find your professional
identity.
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