Abstract
Two articles and one podcast were selected for this assignment. The first article by Spurgeon (2012) states that the lack of a unified professional identity has led to confusion within the profession. This is attributed to the fact that different counselors have used numerous definitions to come up with personalized identities. The scholar explains that the importance of a unified identity for people in the counseling profession is critical for the future and continuity of the field. On the other hand, Lile (2017) focuses on how the lack of a professional identity has allowed counselors to devise different processing styles. This is all in an attempt to avoid cognitive dissonance where the counselors encourage their patients to do one thing and they (counselors) do the opposite in their normal lives. The podcast selected provides personal experiences of a professional counselor and his views on the importance of developing a national counselor identity.
Summary
Identity is a complex element in all types of professional counseling. Arguably, a significant number of people seeking professional counseling services do so due to complications of identity creation. Traditionally, counselors were tasked with helping their clients understand their own identity – who they believed they were and the image they had of themselves in relation to others. Emphasis was put on the stated matter as it had a direct connection with how people treated one another. The concern of counselor identity has gained traction over the last several years. According to Spurgeon (2012), the main reason for the need to have a counselor identity is to differentiate between professional counselors and other pundits. The arguments forwarded by Spurgeon (2012) can be summarized into three main points. Firstly, counselors often find themselves in an awkward position when describing their niche, hence the need for a counselor identity. To ease this awkwardness, the scholar suggests that experts in the field must first adopt a nation-wide definition of the job, and in turn, this will help shape their identity.
Secondly, the job is viewed as a national profession, which makes it that more urgent to develop the said identity. This is attributed to standards that have to be set to identify the counselors required for citizens all over the country. A clear understanding of the roles and functions of professional counselors, which would ideally be part of the counselor identity, would also help instill trust among the population of the intent of professional counselors. More people would feel comfortable seeking these services when the need arises, and levels of factors such as depression and suicide attempts would decrease (Spurgeon, 2012). Lastly, the author agrees that the creation of the said identity provokes a futuristic thought of counseling.
The issue of identity also ties with how information is processed. Lile (2017) focuses on the impact of different identity processing style. The scholar suggests that because there is no one counselor identity, different professionals have their own individual ways of processing who they are within the capacity of their job. Indeed, at times, these individual processing styles have worked for the benefit of the counselor while other times, they have not. Lile (2017) explains that the process is significantly complex as it requires one to not only engage with some, if not all, of the values encouraged by profession but also incorporate them in their individual personalities. Arguably, very few professional counselors would not agree with the principles, attitudes, and norms that are supported by counseling. This would create cognitive dissonance as the mind would not be able to accommodate the two conflicting personalities.
The perception of both the profession and the outside world can be crucial in understanding counseling identity. Critically, Lile (2017) explains that new entrants into the profession come with different ideologies and perceptions on how to help their patients. Their opinions are changed after a few years of interacting with their clients. Thereby, in determining the best processing style for identity creation among professional counselors, stakeholders must understand how the patient psyche affects the counselor’s view of the world. Additionally, the issue is more complicated as identity needs analysis from both the professional and individual perspectives. The former refers to a standard definition and agreement that all parties involved in professional counseling agree to, while the second is an individual recollection of identity and self-awareness.
Personal experience is also vital in determining how counselors view themselves and others in the same field. Shook (2017) highlights the personal experiences of Carl Sheperis, the Program Dean of the College of Social Sciences at the University of Phoenix, and the Vice-Chair of the National Board of Certified Counselors. One of the main things that come up in the podcast is that counselors are usually prepared to separate their personal with their work identities in the beginning. Sheperis explains that when he started working, he was sure who he was and knew that the profession would not change his perception of the same (Shook 2017). However, after interaction with patients, he was confused about his identity. This relates closely with arguments supported by Lile (2017) in relation to the experience of cognitive dissonance.
A second most prominent element of discussion that arises from the podcast is the elements that make a counselor a professional. Sheperis explains that apart from the detailed personal attributes, one of the things that makes one a counselor is the ability to live by the values that one tries to instill in his or her patients. The scholar goes further to explain that many clients do not even inquire about their counselors’ professional capacities, mainly if they were referred by someone they trust. The only element that is associated with counselors is patient protection. Therefore, anything that would ideally be discussed in therapy cannot be exposed elsewhere, as stipulated by both the profession and the law.
Reactions
The materials provided give a unique understanding of counselor identity. It is interesting that whereas counselors and psychologists try to guide clients to create their own identities, they (professional counselors) are still trying to find their own (identity). It can be concluded that professional identity is the collective perception that both the people in the sector and the general public have regarding the profession. Indeed, numerous challenges would arise both by lacking a professional identity or assuming the wrong kind. For instance, in the case of the lack of a counselor identity, individual professionals would be at liberty to create their own identities. On the other hand, assuming the wrong professional character would lead to misunderstandings, mistrust, and general low quality of services offered by the professionals.
There are several insights that I gained from the articles and the podcasts. First, the issue of professional identity is complicated as it borders the concern of cognitive dissonance. This relates entirely to how individual counselors view themselves and how they practice the profession. For example, whereas some counselors take a more laid-back approach to therapy to allow patients to understand who they are, others give gentle nudges towards what would be socially acceptable behavior. This concerns entirely a specific professional’s style and processing preference. Arguably, limiting such flexibility can harm the profession as it would force counselors to take up perspectives they actually do not believe in or actively support. On the other hand, leaving such flexibility unchecked can ensure low quality, which in turn negatively affects the health of the patients.
References
Lile, J. J. (2017). Forming a professional counselor identity: The Impact of identity processing style. The Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision, 9(2).
Shook, M. (2017). What Makes a Counselor a Counselor? Professional Identity and Other Musings with Carl Sheperis [Audio podcast]. The Thoughtful Counselor.
Spurgeon, S. (2012). Counselor identity: A national imperative. Journal of Professional Counseling, Practice, Theory, and Research, 39, 3-16.