Stepping out of the mould? : a qualitative inquiry into the development of counsellor identity of masters in counselling students

Abstract

This qualitative study delved into the narrative of how the first cohort of locally trained Masters in counselling students are acquiring their professional identity in the Maltese context. A purposeful sample of six fourth year post-practicum students was divided into three categories based on previous academic and work experience prior to entering the training programme. Participants narrated their counselling journey both visually and verbally. The data was analysed through a creative use of narrative methodology to address the research questions. Participants agree that the experience of becoming a counsellor is a long and arduous one and feel that the collective group identity somewhat facilitated this process. Findings indicate that all six participants have experienced a change in their core and therapeutic selves and are at different points of their professional formation and of their lifelong journey of acquiring a unique counselling professional identity. Previous knowledge and practice were seen to be an asset and experience is an important component in the cumulative process towards expertise in the field. Such findings highlight the element of uniqueness in this process and equip counsellor educators with renewed awareness towards safeguarding and ensuring individuality in the formation of counselling trainees.