Counselor Identity: Conformity or Distinction?

Abstract

The authors explore 3 debates in other disciplines similar to counseling's identity debate in order to learn about common themes and outcomes. Conformity, distinction, and cohesion emerged as common themes. They conclude that counselors should retain their distinctive, humanistic approach rather than conforming to the dominant, medical approach.

Perceptions of Professional Identity Development From Counselor Educators in Leadership Positions

“…Scholars have highlighted the importance of a unified professional identity (Gale & Austin, ; McLaughlin & Boettcher, ; Myers, Sweeney, & White, ) that emphasizes a philosophical orientation unique to the counseling profession (Mellin, Hunt, & Nichols, ). Debates have surfaced about the identity of the counseling profession, whether it is one cohesive profession or an array of therapeutic specialties among related helping disciplines (Gale & Austin, ; Remley & Herlihy, ).…”

All Too Human: An Application of Nietzsche's Philosophy to the Counseling Profession

“…As a discipline, counseling has struggled to establish an identity in relationship to other disciplines that use the medical model (McLaughlin & Boettcher, ). Hansen () contended that the profession of counseling is becoming increasingly medicalized, because the profession appears to unanimously endorse evidenced‐based approaches, emphasize diagnosis and treatment planning, and embrace the best practices model.…”

Instrument construction and initial validation

“…However, there has been a constructive effort and progress in clarifying professional identity of the counseling profession (Calley & Hawley, 2008;Capuzzi & Gross, 2003;Gale & Austin, 2003;Gladding & Newsome, 2004;McLaughlin & Boettcher, 2009;Myer, Sweeney, & White, 2002).…”

“…On the professional level, a deeper understanding of one's professional identity can influence a synergistic collective identity and the future of the profession (O'Bryant, 1992). Many counseling professionals agree that forging a professional identity is necessary for the future of the counseling profession (McLaughlin & Boettcher, 2009).…”

“…Another significant advancement has been a constructive efforts made to clarify counseling professional identity as related to the profession as a whole (Calley & Hawley, 2008;Gale & Austin, 2003;Gladding & Newsome, 2004;McLaughlin & Boettcher, 2009;Myer, Sweeney, & White, 2002). Although increased subspecializations in the counseling profession are valuable from several standpoints, these multiple sub-specialties have occasionally resulted in rifts within the counseling field (Gale & Austin, 2003) by making it difficult to forge a unified professional identity (Calley & Hawley, 2008).…”