Running Head: IDENTITY DEVELOPMENT

Professional Identity Development

Dana D. Edwards
Winthrop University

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Introduction

Patrick Rothfuss once said, Its like everyone tells a story about themselves inside their
own head. Always. All the time. That story makes you what you are. We build ourselves out
of that story. The stories we embark on, experience and create make up our sense of identity.
Identity is defined as our personal definition of ourselves that focuses on our distinct
characteristics. Our purpose for identity development is to dig deep within ourselves to figure
out who we are and how we can make a difference. In the following paper, I will discuss my
current identity development as a school counselor in training. I will begin by discussing my
perception of the counseling profession. I will discuss the components of counseling, its
importance to society and contributions. Then, I will elaborate on the importance of education
and how counseling plays an ideal role in helping our students develop academically,
socially/emotionally and career wise. Next, I will talk about the roles, functions and
development of the professional identity of a counselor. I will explain the credentials,
organizations and standards counselors must obtain in order to become respectable members in
society. Lastly, I will conclude by discussing a school counselors role in advocacy, leadership,
curriculum and advisory meetings in order to create a school environment that is collaborative,
respectable and safe. School counselors play an immense role within our schools and
communities. Their presence is definitely needed in order to help all stakeholders reach their
highest potential.
Philosophy of Counseling
I truly believe that counseling is a rewarding profession and should not be taken lightly.
A counselor is defined as an individual who possesses all of the necessary skills to help
individuals gain a better awareness of self, change their lives in productive ways and assess

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innovative methods to cope with lifes challenges. I believe counselors strive to be empathetic,
have unconditional positive regard and congruency. Counselors attempt to solve problems from
the clients point of view. They try to grasp the clients sense of self as fully as possible to get an
understanding of who they are and why they view the situation in the way they do. Exercising
empathy allows for the counselor to assist the client in appropriate ways and alleviate the
situation. Next, a counselor exerts unconditional positive regard for his/her clients. The
counselor is very accepting of the client and views him/her as a human being. The therapist
shows unconditional care, dignity and does not judge the client for what he/she has done. Lastly,
the counselor executes congruency. He/she is truly genuine and their thoughts, actions and
ideals coincide with one another. The following congruency allows for the client to trust within
the counselor and see him/her as credible.
Next, a counselor is accepting of all clients from diverse backgrounds. I believe they
have a good understanding of their own culture and strive to understand cultures that are
different from their own. The counselor is open minded and provides each client with
interventions and goals that are compatible to the problem and their societal context. The
following makes the client more receptive to counseling. Without the following element, the
client may feel as if the counselor does not fully understand the context of the problem or does
not care.
Lastly, a therapist understands that counseling is a continuous process. The process
consists of five stages that interrelate with one another. Once a stage is successfully
implemented, it will stay within the system until counseling has concluded. It is a progression
that builds upon one another. First, the counselor and client establish a relationship that is based
upon genuine trust, respect and understanding. Next, the two parties work together in order to

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assess and define the clients reasoning for counseling. The counselor compiles all of the
necessary information in order to reach a synopsis. Then, the client and counselor agree upon
mutual, realistic goals the client will reach in order to alleviate or eliminate the problem. The
goals must be observable and measurable. After that, the two parties will implement
interventions or strategies that will help the client reach his/her goals. Lastly, the counselor and
client will implement termination and follow-up with appropriate timing and reasoning. I
believe the following must be discussed in enough time so both parties can adjust to the
transition.
I truly believe counselors must possess the following attributes in order to be effective.
Their job is to make sure their clients achieve more self-awareness than when they first entered
counseling. I think their competence, unique sense of theoretical orientation and empathy for
others make them some of the most valuable professionals in society to promote mental growth.
Philosophy of Education
I believe school counseling is a profession that extends the work of a counselor to the
school setting. To me, counseling children is not just an 8-3 job that can pay the bills; it is a way
of life. I want to provide each student with an environment that meets their specific needs so
each of them can grow and mature intellectually, socially, emotionally and physically. We are
ultimately giving students the essential tools to deal with very difficult problems and become
more emotionally stable. I want all of my students to be able to deal with each problem in a
productive manner and not become a statistic to the circumstances of their environment. I want
each of them to be the exception and very active contributors in their society.
My counseling style can best be described as one that makes every student feel like they
are loved, capable and connected. I will be the counselor who works collaboratively with the

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school staff and community members in order to provide each student with the best
accommodations possible. I will work night and day to make sure all of my students feel loved
and can handle their situation in the most successful way possible. First, I want to create an
environment that maintains a positive, affective atmosphere. I want to be a counselor that
implements ideals based on the humanist theory. It expresses that an educator should respect
his/her students and satisfy any need they may have. I want to establish a relationship with each
of my students and faculty so they can build trust within me and come to me when they have a
problem. I want each student to feel as if they belong, feel valued and know that my office is a
safe place for expressing their feelings. I believe building an affective relationship with each
student can promote more cooperation within the classroom/home and limit some
emotional/social and academic problems. I want to be in a position where I can satisfy these
needs, encourage positive development and choices.
Also, I believe students can learn a great deal of knowledge by listening to how
individuals solve problems through perspectives that are completely different from their own.
Each child will be exposed to students and speakers who come from different backgrounds,
cultures, etc. and will ultimately expand their knowledge of diversity. I will try and promote this
type of interactive engagement by having events and programs where community speakers come
into the classroom/school to share their experiences with the students.
Lastly, I believe counselors are essential within the school setting because they empower
students academically and career wise. Counselors constantly use resources in order to help a
student reach their highest potential. They also provide programs such as peer mentors, Owelus
(anti-bullying), etc. in order to collaborate with educators and provide students with material at
their developmental level. By implementing the following, students will enjoy school and obtain

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higher levels of achievement. Counselors also provide students with opportunities for career
development. They help students link their interests to school courses and school courses to
possible career choices. I believe school counselors utilize the community, parents/guardians
and faculty to accomplish the following. The more support students have, the more they will
succeed in all areas of development.
Roles, Functions and Professional Identity of School Counselors
A school counselor is defined as an advocate for children, school and community
members. He/she is the person who brings all of the internal and external stakeholders together
in order to promote growth and provides extensive resources. School counselors emphasize the
importance of confidentiality with all students and faculty. They stress the importance of
building trust and mutual respect. Counselors strive to provide students with a place where they
can feel safe, express who they are and discuss what they are going through with a trustworthy
adult. He/she brings all parties together to have a continuous flow of communication and ideas.
I believe they are ultimately the glue that holds a school community together.
The school counselor also houses many functions. They are considered administrators
within the school system. They are constantly on the move in order to build relationships with
staff, students and community members. They are coordinators for several advocacy programs
that promote growth, guidance classroom lessons, participate in Individual Education Plan
meetings, coordinate standardized testing for special needs and data collection, parent/teacher
consultations, as well as other services. Some other services include individual and group
counseling with students. Individual consultation allows for the counselor to work with the
student one-on-one to address or alleviate a situation. Group counseling requires that the
counselor work with a group of students who are experiencing a similar problem or situation. It

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allows for students to see the problem from a unique perspective, as well as collaborate on ways
to solve the problem. The counselor also provides a variety of programs to promote academic,
personal/social and career success. Some of the programs include clubs, awards day, business
partners (bringing in businessmen from the community to work with students), red ribbon week,
etc. Each program is inclusive and encourages the participation of all students. The school
counselor is also an advisor. She suggests courses, career paths and decisions collaboratively
with students that would be in their best interest. She ultimately wants the students to succeed
and that compassion is expressed to every student.
Standards and Credentials of School Counselors
In order to become a school counselor, it takes an extensive amount of education and
training. The extensiveness of the following factors are determined by the state in which a
person wants to counsel. In South Carolina, a school counselor is required to receive a
bachelors degree and a masters degree in any subject. Next, they must complete an approved
preparation program for school counselors from the State Board of Education. Then, they must
pass the Praxis II exam for school guidance and counseling. Lastly, they must be cleared from a
background check, a national criminal check that requires fingerprinting from the Federal Bureau
of Investigation and achieve licensure.
School counselors must also stay up to date with ideals and information that will make
them more competent at their jobs. I believe the more competent and involved you are in your
job, the more you will enjoy and succeed at it. School counselors are seen as professionals and
are expected to seek training to educate their faculty/staff on the best methods to promote a
comprehensive school counseling program that is engaging, relevant and effective. He/she
learns new ways to get the students involved and provide programs that allow students to

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become more competent and diverse in nature. The following ideals make students more
prepared to function within a global society of 21st century occupations. School counselors can
also become members of organizations that keep them updated with professional development,
ethical and legal standards, resources and network with fellow counselors. Two organizations a
school counselor can join include the American School Counseling Association and the
American Counseling Association.
Lastly, school counselors are held to particular standards. I have learned that all school
counselors are governed by the American School Counseling Association Code of Ethics. We,
as fellow counselors, are to abide by the Code of Ethics in order to protect ourselves and the
students that we interact with. Ethical Standards instill within each counselor a standard of
leadership, professionalism and a sense of integrity.
Students also have the ethical right to confidentiality. I have learned the following
means that the counselor is bound to keep confidences of that particular child between the two
parties unless the student is a danger to themselves or others. Consequently, you have to
consider parental rights, since the child is a minor. With the creation of the Family Educational
Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), parents/guardians have the right to serve as a guiding aspect in
their childs life. I have learned that the following two aspects can become a game of tug or war.
I believe counselors must be problem-solvers and take an immense amount of steps in order to
determine the best decision that will affect the child in the most positive way possible.
Advocacy, Leadership, Curriculum and Advisory Meetings
School counselors are first and foremost advocates. They advocate for their faculty,
school, community, but most importantly their students. They are willing to do whatever it takes
in order to close the achievement and opportunity gap amongst all students, regardless of their

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circumstances. Counselors are the voice for those students who may not have one on specific
topics or opportunities. They are also so that person who is willing to actively listen to a child
who may need someone to talk to. The process is reciprocal.
Counselors are also leaders in their schools and communities. I think a school counselor
is considered a leader only when he/she believes that they can make a conscious effort to affect
student success in a positive manner. They use their leadership skills in order to develop and
implement relevant programs, provide a voice for all students and make a positive change
amongst the school and community. The school counselor must be an effective communicator
and collaborate with all stakeholders involved in order to provide a safe and successful school
environment.
Next, a school counselor must provide students with a curriculum that allows for them to
grow personally/socially, academically and promote career development. He/she utilizes the
data provided by the school in order to provide lessons and programs that are beneficial and
relevant. The school counselor also collaborates with teachers in order to correlate guidance
lessons with ideas being taught within the classroom. The two will interrelate with each other
and students will receive twice the support and knowledge to succeed in the school setting.
Lastly, school counselors are advisors. They often have consultations with students about
personal, academic and career aspects. The counselor gets to know each student on an
individualized basis. He/she becomes aware of each students interests and helps to utilize those
choices to determine a suitable career. They also collaborate with parents/guardians and
community stakeholders in order have a flow of ideas and resources the students may find
helpful. The counselor also has an open door policy where the student can come in and discuss

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any issue. He/she works with the student to figure out interventions and goals to benefit the
student in the best way possible.
Conclusion
In conclusion, a school counselor presents a very important role within the school setting.
He/she ensures that each internal and external stakeholder feels connected, contributing and safe.
She works with each stakeholder to provide students with personal/social, academic and career
development. The school counselor does not possess an easy profession and must undergo an
immense amount of training and education to be considered competent at her job. She is also
encouraged to join organizations to stay updated on the latest techniques, interventions and ideals
when working with 21st century students. Counselors are held to a very high standard and must
be mindful when making ethical and legal decisions. Each decision must have the childs best
interest at heart. Lastly, the counselor is the glue that holds each school community together.
They are collaborators, innovators, advocators, leaders and teachers. They hold a special place
in society and should be valued as such.