Counselor Identity Development
My counselor identity has continued to develop throughout my graduate program and has become increasingly clear through my internship experiences. Working directly with clients has allowed me to better understand the type of counselor I want to become, including the theoretical approaches, personal qualities, and professional values that influence how I build relationships and support client growth.
My developing counseling style is integrative, with influences from person-centered therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). I value creating a therapeutic environment grounded in empathy, authenticity, acceptance, and collaboration while also providing clients with practical skills and opportunities for meaningful change.
This section reflects the ongoing development of my counselor identity through self-reflection, supervision, clinical experiences, theoretical exploration, and continued awareness of my strengths and areas for growth. As I move toward becoming a professional counselor, I hope to maintain a counseling identity that is flexible, culturally responsive, ethical, and centered on the individual needs of each client.
“Becoming a counselor is not only about developing clinical skills, but discovering how your values, experiences, and authentic self shape the way you sit with others.”