Counselor Identity Development: Toward a Model for the Formation of Professional Identity

Eric W. Owens , PhD, LPC, NCC, ACSCheryl W. Neale-McFall, PhD, NCC

NARACES Conference, 2014; Providence, RI

What brought us here?

What does having professional identity as a counselor mean to you?

How did you develop your professional identity as a counselor?

Why is identity development important? Where are the inherent challenges in

this process? As counselor educators, how do we

assist students in developing their professional identities?

Challenges in Defining and Fostering Identity

“Identity Crisis” Variations in training and educational

programs Lack of consistency in credentialing and

wide ranges of specializations Lack of consistency and cooperation

among professional organizations that represent professional counselors

(Gale &

Austin, 2003)

CACREP’s Effort to Unify

CACREP’s establishment of standards for the preparation of professional counselors: Focus on teaching and assessment of

student learning Eight core areas for establishing and

continual development of professional counselor identity

Current debate over CACREP’s role and authority

(CACREP, 2009)

Definition of Professional Identity and the Three Domains

What is Professional Identity? Parallel between development of competency in multicultural

counseling and professional identity development Developing triad of competencies: values, abilities, and knowledge

Three Domains of Professional Identity Knowledge Skills Attitude

How do you reach these domains with your students?

(Alves & Gazzola, 2001)

History of Stage Models of Identity Development

Ronnestadt & Skovolt’s (2003) six-phase model and 14 central themes in the development of the counseling identity. Attention to how the counselor understands and makes

meaning of the professional world

Loganbill’s (1982) eight-issue, three-stage, sequential model of clinical supervision, which promotes identity development. “…core concepts in the developmental theory apply to

the counselor/therapist.” Human growth development applied to development of

a professional counselor

Context-Phase-Stage-Style (CPSS) Model and Professional Counselor Identity Development

Developmental and Constructivism Factors “all human beings are active creators of experience, not

passive receptors of an objective reality. To know is to construct, not to find” (McAullife & Eriksen, 1999, p.268).

Role of Counselor Educator Counselors will develop identity if challenged and supported –

what does this look like?

Four Dimensions of the CPSS Model Social Context Life Phase Developmental Stage Style

(McAullife & Eriksen, 1999)

From Theory to Practice: Suggested Applications

CACREP has addressed the knowledge and skill domains through national standards. What about the attitudinal domain?

How can counselor educators help trainees develop the attitudes related to counselor identity?

Three methods with specific attention to issues related to trainees’ social context, life phase, developmental phase, and personality. Mentoring Relationships Reflexive Pedagogy Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

Mentoring Relationships

Opportunity to closely learn the students’ social context, life phase, developmental stage, and personality style (CPSS fundamental aspects).

Did you have a mentor as a graduate student? If so, how did this relationship help develop your professional identity?

Mentoring vs. Advising Fellow traveler vs. all-knowing expert

Benefits of the mentoring relationship between a graduate student and faculty member Student success, professional competence, identity

development, and socio-emotional support Formal vs. Informal methods Are you a mentor to your students?

Reflexive Pedagogy

Meaning making, developing beliefs Increased self-awareness Support and challenge from faculty

Discussion boards Collaborative learning Reflective journaling Role-plays

How do you promote reflexive thinking in your classrooms and with your students?

(Sinacore et al., 1999)

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

Six Core Concepts Acceptance Cognitive defusion Being present Self as context Defining valued directions Committed action

Trainee explores his/her own values and beliefs, which increases psychological flexibility. Overall goal of finding meaning in life

Do you use ACT in classroom exercises? (Bowden & Bowden,

2012)

Conclusion and Suggestions Do you believe we have an “identity crisis”

as professional counselors? How will you address the three learning

domains (knowledge, skills, and attitudes) with your students?

Do you believe exploring the CPSS Model through mentoring relationships, reflexive pedagogy, and ACT is realistic for counselor educators? Which do you feel you are most likely to use with your trainees?

Contact

Eric Owens 610.436.2559 x2554 eowens@wcupa.edu

Cheryl Neale-McFall 610.436.2559 x2551 cneale@wcupa.edu

Owens, E.W. & Neale-McFall, C.W. (2014) Counselor identity development:

Toward a model for the formation of professional identity, Journal of Counselor Leadership and Advocacy, 1:1, 16-27, DOI:

10.1080/2326716X.2014.886975

References

Alves, S., & Gazzola, N. (2011). Professional identity: A qualitative inquiry of experienced counsellors. Canadian Journal of Counselling and Psychotherapy, 45, Retrieved from http://

www.cjcrcc.ucalgary.ca/cjc/index.php/rcc/article/view/977

Bowden, T. & Bowden, S. (2012). Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT): An overview for practitioners. Australian Journal of

Guidance and Counseling, 22 (2), 279-285.

Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (2009). 2009 Standards. Alexandria, VA: Author.

Gale, A. U., & Austin, B. D. (2003). Professionalism's challenges to professional counselors' collective identity. Journal of Counseling and Development, 81, 3–10. doi: 10.1002/j.1556-6678.2003.tb00219.x

Loganbill, C., Hardy, E., & Delworth, U. (1982). Supervision: A conceptual model. The Counseling Psychologist, 10, 3-42. doi: 10.1177/0011000082101002

McAuliffe, G. J., & Eriksen, K. P. (1999). Toward a constructivist and developmental identity for the counseling profession: The

Context-Phase-Stage-Style Model. Journal of Counseling and Development, 77, 267–280. doi: 10.1002/j.1556-6676.1999.tb02450.x

Ronnestad, M. H., & Skovholt, T. M. (2003). The journey of the counselor and therapist: Research findings and perspectives on

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Sinacore, A., Blaisure, K., Justin, M., Healy, P., Brawer, S. (1999). Promoting reflexivity in the classroom. Teaching of Psychology,

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