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

TLDR

The study explored how 238 practicing counselors perceive counseling as distinct from psychology and social work. The authors conducted an exploratory qualitative study of 238 counselors to examine their professional identity. Participants’ professional identities were grounded in a developmental, prevention, and wellness orientation, embraced a unified identity, and distinguished psychology as testing‑focused and social work as systemic, with 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.