The Significance of a Professional Identity Formulation for School Counselors

Abstract

School counselors have historically struggled with defining who they are as professionals. However, holding a strong professional identity affords counselors many benefits and helps them carve out a unique place within the field and within their school community. It also provides school counselors with a roadmap for their roles and responsibilities, a means of approaching students, families, and the community, a tool for formulating short- and long-term goals, and a way for the school community to know when they should turn to the school counselor. This chapter calls readers to think critically about the foundational underpinnings of a professional identity and how to communicate that with the school community.