Professional Identity In The Field Of Counseling Or Care Services

Professional Identity: The Professional Counselor
Professional identity in the field of counseling or care services is an important topic to define and delve into. Individuals progressing in the knowledge needed for professional counseling often start off with a predesigned personal worldview. Koltko-Rivera (2004) defines a worldview as “a set of assumptions about physical and social reality that may have powerful effects on cognition and behavior” (p. 3). Personal worldviews can bring forth dilemmas in professional counseling in areas such as, moral beliefs, ethical standards, and cultural biases. An individual must prepare to open the confines of his or her personal worldview to adapt to the views of others to be an effective professional
Each professional specializing in one or more constant scopes of practice. The role of the professional counselor share similarities with other counseling professionals such as; social work, pastoral care, psychiatry, psychology, human service professionals, and marriage and family therapists. There are however multiple distinct differences. Spurgeon (2012) defines the professional counselor as a professional accord between a trained counselor and a client(s), such as an individual, family unit, or group to achieve a different level of mental health, physical health, leaning and career goals. This definition encompasses the spectrum of counselors listed above. So what is the role of the professional counselor? Neukrug (2014) defines counseling as being in the moment, fast paced, solution focus treatment that helps people get back on their own feet. He goes on to state that a professional counselor is now seen as an individual with a Master’s level education or higher. With skills and tools taught based on minimum expectations from credentialing boards such as Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). Each group of counseling professionals have similar and different expectations for credentialing. As a mental health counselor a Master’s level education that incudes studies in “professional orientation and ethical practice, social and cultural diversity, human
This is not to suggest that the professional counselor is better however has set a better standard for his or herself to show to the public but more important the hurting people he or she engages with daily. Francis and Dugger (2014) suggest the first and foremost manner of professionalism is the commitment to doing what is in the best interest of the client. In addition, the professional counselor should maintain a code of ethical behavior, as lied out by the American Counseling Association (ACA) or similar ethical standards of practice. The professional counselor should also present his or herself visually well taken care of as well. By this, the counselor should dress appropriately for the level of care he or she is working in. If the counseling is happening in the midst of a crisis after a hurricane it may not be practical to be in a shirt and tie but the best representation of one’s self should be presented. The professional should also maintain a professional attitude, that is to say he or she should be of sound mental health themselves, be slow to anger, present the opportunity for hope, even in sorrow, and be loving and empathetic. As a professional I personally cover up visible tattoos which are extensive from the previously mentions early lifestyle. This requires long sleeves, even in hot summer months. I also make every