Counselor Professional Identity: Findings and Implications for Counseling and Interprofessional Collaboration

Elizabeth A. Mellin; Brandon Hunt; Lindsey M. Nichols

doi:10.1002/j.1556-6678.2011.tb00071.x

Counselor Professional Identity: Findings and Implications for Counseling and Interprofessional Collaboration

Elizabeth A. Mellin, Brandon Hunt, Lindsey M. Nichols

Leadership, Technology, & Human Development

The Pennsylvania State University

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

135 Scopus citations

Abstract

This exploratory, qualitative study examined the professional identity of 238 practicing counselors and how they perceived counseling as distinct from psychology and social work. Participants' professional identities seemed to be grounded in a developmental, prevention, and wellness orientation toward helping. Participants also seemed to embrace a unified professional identity. Psychology was perceived as emphasizing testing and social work as focusing on systemic issues. Findings and implications for the counseling profession and interprofessional collaboration are discussed.

Original language	American English
Journal	Journal of Counseling & Development
Volume	89
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1002/j.1556-6678.2011.tb00071.x
State	Published - Dec 23 2011

Keywords

Counseling
Counselor professional identity
Interprofessional collaboration
Psychology

DC Disciplines

Student Counseling and Personnel Services
Educational Administration and Supervision
Educational Leadership
Educational Assessment, Evaluation, and Research

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10.1002/j.1556-6678.2011.tb00071.xLicense: Unspecified

Cite this

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title = "Counselor Professional Identity: Findings and Implications for Counseling and Interprofessional Collaboration",

abstract = " This exploratory, qualitative study examined the professional identity of 238 practicing counselors and how they perceived counseling as distinct from psychology and social work. Participants' professional identities seemed to be grounded in a developmental, prevention, and wellness orientation toward helping. Participants also seemed to embrace a unified professional identity. Psychology was perceived as emphasizing testing and social work as focusing on systemic issues. Findings and implications for the counseling profession and interprofessional collaboration are discussed.",

keywords = "Counseling, Counselor professional identity, Interprofessional collaboration, Psychology",

author = "Mellin, {Elizabeth A.} and Brandon Hunt and Nichols, {Lindsey M.}",

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N2 - This exploratory, qualitative study examined the professional identity of 238 practicing counselors and how they perceived counseling as distinct from psychology and social work. Participants' professional identities seemed to be grounded in a developmental, prevention, and wellness orientation toward helping. Participants also seemed to embrace a unified professional identity. Psychology was perceived as emphasizing testing and social work as focusing on systemic issues. Findings and implications for the counseling profession and interprofessional collaboration are discussed.

AB - This exploratory, qualitative study examined the professional identity of 238 practicing counselors and how they perceived counseling as distinct from psychology and social work. Participants' professional identities seemed to be grounded in a developmental, prevention, and wellness orientation toward helping. Participants also seemed to embrace a unified professional identity. Psychology was perceived as emphasizing testing and social work as focusing on systemic issues. Findings and implications for the counseling profession and interprofessional collaboration are discussed.

KW - Counseling

KW - Counselor professional identity

KW - Interprofessional collaboration

KW - Psychology

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JO - Journal of Counseling & Development

JF - Journal of Counseling & Development

ER -

Counselor Professional Identity: Findings and Implications for Counseling and Interprofessional Collaboration

Abstract

Keywords

DC Disciplines

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