“Renegades, outsiders and lone warriors”: a qualitative study exploring perceptions of professional identity among counsellors working with children and young people in the United Kingdom

Kirkbride, Rebecca, Livanou, Maria ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1373-4404, Longley, Verity ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5492-8344 and Waring, Susan Margaret (2023) “Renegades, outsiders and lone warriors”: a qualitative study exploring perceptions of professional identity among counsellors working with children and young people in the United Kingdom. Pastoral Care in Education: An International Journal of Personal, Social and Emotional Development. ISSN 0264-3944

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Abstract

The present study investigates how counsellors working with children and young people (CYP) perceive their professional identity, and how the ‘Practitioner Manual’ and BACP Competence Frameworks, commissioned by the British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy (BACP; 2014/2019a), can contribute to the strengthening of CYP counsellor professional identity. Participants were qualified counsellors working with CYP clients in England and Scotland. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) was used to analyse data. Findings were organised under three master themes: individual perception of professional identity; others’ perceptions of professional identity; role of resources on formation and development of professional identity. Sub-themes included: discomfort with the concept of professionalism; misunderstandings and misconceptions; a desire for a recognised professional identity. Findings indicate that the provision of counselling for CYP clients could be enhanced by establishing a recognised professional identity underpinned by required minimum training standards and leading to registration with a recognised professional body.