Counselor Identity Paper

Counselor Identity Paper: The purpose of this paper is to instill the importance of counselor identity in the counseling profession. Students need to explore the history, philosophy, and trends of the counseling profession. They will also need to consider professionalism, in areas such as professional organizations, counseling credentialing boards, public policy, and advocacy.

Each student will write an APA style paper that includes both a literature review and personal application using the following guidelines:

   The project will be evaluated on:

• Completeness and accuracy.
• Grammatical correctness.
• Use of appropriate terminology related to the counseling profession.
• Use examples to support your narrative.

General Notes Related to Papers

1. Always include an introduction and conclusion to every paper. If appropriate, also include transition paragraphs between sections and subsections. Set your margins for 1” on all sides, double-space the entire document, and use an APA approved typeface.
2. Organize the paper using headings (Level 1) and subheadings (Level 2, 3, 4, & 5). For more information, see your APA manual for a sample paper.
3. Additional Instructions:This project is to be completed over the course of the semester. You are to identify and read multiple scholarly sources related to counselor identity prior to the due date. There may be a few sources added or deleted in the final paper that are not in the initial drafts.

The submission will use the following format:

• Title Page
• Abstract: The abstract for this paper should include the components of a review article (see the APA Manual for details).
• Text as a narrative using headings for organization – (8 to 10 pages)
• Support the writing of your paper using 10-12 sources from scholarlypublications (A scholarly publication is considered a peer reviewed academic journal). At least half of the sources need publication dates from 2010 to the present. Multiple sources per paragraph are expected to be integrated.

1. Introduction (Approximately 1/2 page)
2. Literature Related to Counselor Identity(Level 1 heading – 4 to 5 pages) .  Describe the (a) History, (b) Philosophy, and (c) Trends of the counseling profession. Each of these is a Level 2 heading.

      (Philosophy refers to the wellness approach in counseling and trends refers to hot topics/emerging issues in counseling).

3. Compare/Contrast Counselor Identity (Level 1 heading – 2 to 3 pages). Describe the imperative for and against a unique and specific counselor identity and explain which imperative is important to you and why.

• For section two, consider the following: Counseling is defined as, “a professional relationship that empowers diverse individuals, families, and groups to accomplish mental health, wellness, education, and career goals.” Development of counselor identity is considered essential to communicate our professional practice and for acceptance as a science-based mental health provider. Use the articles in the resource section in Canvas as a starting point, as well as other articles you researched, compare and contrast the viewpoints that support a separate counselor identity with articles that support a unified helping profession identity. Your text should clearly (1) delineate the pros and cons of each position, (2) using the research as a foundation, explain what you believe and why.

4.  Personal Application of Counselor Identity (Level 1 heading – 2 to 3 pages)
   Describe your views related to professionalism in the areas of (a) professional organizations and (b) counseling credentialing boards. These will be level 2 headings. Specifically address the following:

• Professional Organizations:

o   What do you hope to gain from your membership in professional organizations?

o   What divisions would you like to join and why?

o   Why do you think the counseling department requires you to join Texas Counseling Association in your first semester?

o   Do you hope to join Chi Sigma Iota, why or why not?

o   At this point in your training, would you join the American Counseling Association?

• Counseling Credentialing: CACREP

o   What is the purpose of a credentialing board?

o   What is the value from graduating from a CACREP accredited program compared to a non-accredited program?

5.  Conclusion (Level 1 heading – 1/2 page)
6. References (All sources cited in the text)

Attachments Included:

A sample/example paper that can be used as a guide

A list a refrences that should be used to structure ideas and can be used as some sources just not all

Heading Instructions

APA Specifications

Grading Rubric