Professional Identity Development: A Grounded Theory of Transformational Tasks of Counselors

Abstract

The purpose of this qualitative grounded theory study was to investigate practicing counselors' professional identity development at nodal points during their career. Through the use of 6 focus groups of beginning, experienced, and expert counselors, 26 participants shared their experiences, and 6 themes emerged to form a theory of transformational tasks of professional identity development. Through these tasks, counselors encountered issues of idealism toward realism, burnout toward rejuvenation, and compartmentalization toward congruency.

Growing Leaders: The Parallels of Professional Identity and Leadership Identity Development in Counselors

“…Nothing confirms values, beliefs, and identity more consistently than experience. For counselors-in-training and practicing counselors, working with clients confirms the counselor's skills and motivation to work as a counselor (Gibson et al, 2010;Moss et al, 2014). Many times, it prevents burnout and can rejuvenate the counselor by providing direction for professional development.…”

“…A second parallel of professional identity and leadership identity development is the reliance on experts, experienced guides, supervisors, teachers, mentors, and/or faculty during specific transitional periods of development (Dollarhide et al, 2013;Gibson, Dollarhide, Leach, & Moss, 2015;Gibson et al, 2010;Moss et al, 2014). In counselor education programs, students rely on faculty and supervisors as they progress from a reliance on expert/book knowledge to counseling clients in practicum and internship.…”

“…With time and experience, both leaders and counselors compartmentalize less and become more congruent in how the interpersonal and intrapersonal factors of their lives interact and represent them in an authentic way Moss et al, 2014). For counselors with 20 or more years of experience, there is recognition that the counselor identity is a core part of who they are along with other life roles.…”

“…Based on research with experienced counselors and counselor educators (Gibson et al, 2015;Levitt & Hermon, 2009;Moss et al, 2014), mentors and peers influenced both their professional identity and leadership identity. Support for identity transitions within the counseling profession was sought and provided through these relationships.…”

The emotional wellbeing of lay HIV counselling and testing counsellors

“…Emotional wellbeing can directly affect the quality of counselling services (Corey, 2009). Core counselling competencies include how a person relates to him/herself, others and the social environment (Moss et al, 2014). Lambie et al (2010) identified empathy, flexibility, taking alternative perspectives, self-care and emotional wellbeing as key components of effective counselling.…”