Professional Identity in Counselling: A Discussion Post

This discussion post reflects on the importance of professional identity in counselling, drawing from Unit 10 of a course. The author discusses the impact of professional identity on self-reflection, continuous improvement, and the development of roles and responsibilities. The post highlights the importance of professional identity in empowering relationships and facilitating human wellbeing. The author also responds to two other posts, discussing Erikson’s developmental crisis and school counselling, respectively, and asks follow-up questions to deepen understanding. The post references relevant literature to support its claims and provides a comprehensive overview of the topic within the context of counselling practice. The author concludes by emphasizing the importance of continuous development for strengthening the counselling profession.

Running head: Discussion post
Discussion post
Name of the student
Name of the university
Author’s name

Discussion post
Unit 10 Discussion 1:
This unit has helped me a lot in learning about the importance of professional identity
and the implications of developing professional identity on counselling. The study materials have
helped me in getting a deeper insight of the course syllabus and learn about them in more detail.
Prior to starting this course, I had no idea of how professional identity will impact my practice
and how important it will be in my filed. The study materials have helped me in gaining a
detailed knowledge on the topic and achieving the learning outcomes of this course. After the
completion of this course, I have learned that professional identity not only allows us to be self-
reflective and continuously improve our practice ensuring a better service delivery, but also,
helps to develop the sense of roles and responsibilities, sense of satisfaction, thereby contributing
to professional development and a better outcome. Developing professional identity also helps in
empowering relationships facilitating human wellbeing and development (Connolly et al., 2014).
This course, thus, helped me in understanding that Professional identity is a central theme of
counselling and gives a framework of practice, thus helps to meet the unique needs and demands
of the clients or patients. After the completion of this course, I see myself to be more confident
and competent to be working as a counsellor and improve my service through self-reflection. In
addition to that, I have also learned that if counsellors can engage themselves in the process of
continuous development individually, the counselling profession will be strengthened as a whole
and it will help in achieving an improved outcome (Young, Bantjes & Kagee, 2016).

Discussion post
Reply to post:
Alice Horein:
Hi Alice! Thank you for informing us about the importance of Erikson’s developmental
crisis and hoe it shapes human development. I would like to know more on this and I will surely
go through the textbook in order to get better insights of the fact. It is really interesting on how
you have put emphasis on the role and importance of human development and how learning
about it can help in the counselling profession. After going through your post, I am wondering if
you can tell me the indicators for healthy and healthy development, as to how to recognize them,
which will help me in carrying out the whole process and achieve realistic goals. I would also
like to know about the counselling approaches that will be most effective for your chosen
population.
Seth Herbel:
Hi Seth, I liked your post. It is really interesting that you want to pursue school
counselling and broaden up your scope and help the school children. I am inspired by your post
and would like to do the same as school children are more commonly facing behavioural issues
nowadays. I would like to know some recommendations from your part as to how I can improve
my professional identity which will help me in achieving my goals. I would like to learn and
explore more on this and improve my skills and professionalism.

Discussion post
References:
Connolly, A., O'Callaghan, D., O'Brien, O., Broderick, J., Long, C., & O'Grady, I. (2014). The
development of counselling psychology in Ireland. The Irish journal of
psychology, 35(1), 16-24.
Young, C., Bantjes, J., & Kagee, A. (2016). Professional boundaries and the identity of
counselling psychology in South Africa.