I'm Okay, You're Okay

In search of an employable and credible theoretical orientation, Eric Berne’s’ Transactional Analysis and Yolem’s Model of Group therapy were highly recommended. These two models not only provided insight on the implementation of interventions that are beneficial in both individual and group sessions, but also assisted in the development of a professional identity by encouraging self-assessment in reference to competence and authenticity. Berne described the position of I’m okay, you’re okay as the healthiest situation in life because the individual is both comfortable and confident with himself, which allows him to feel good about others and their competence (Harris, 2004).

Being able to lead a group through the many stages described in Yalom’s model also required a healthy predisposition of the group facilitator. As scholar practitioners we endure altered social lives, late nights of studying, and even missed time with family that can never be replaced, all in the pursuit of higher education, favorable careers, and developing a professional identity that will get us both. In short we aim to become leaders. Possessing a healthy capacity to lead a group into the working stage, and hand it over to those whom are not as authoritatively credentialed as the facilitator speaks volumes for the professional identity of the counseling professional.

One of the major challenges of solidifying a professional identity is evolution. Just as the issues, disorders, population, and cultures of the people we serve evolve, so do we. Yalom expressed in an interview that his biggest challenge of being a therapist was gaining self knowledge, because it was through understanding of the self that we are able to help someone else (Shaughnessy, Main, & Madewell, 2007).

The opportunities presented in the counseling profession allow many avenues for scholar practitioners to develop a professional identity. ACA code of ethics recommends that counseling professionals regularly assess their capacity to provide services (American Counseling Association, 2014). The alliance between education programs, professional organizations, and accrediting bodies will play a major role in the development of professional identities for current scholars. In the future it would be great to have required continuing education credits for students in professional organizations. These courses offer current information on theories, models, and ethical and legal issues related to the counseling profession. Encouraging commitment to a more active role in education programs and professional organizations, or mentoring and advocating for the profession are all ways to help address the challenges of developing a professional identity.

In the words of Mahatma Gandhi “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” Continue to link the scholars with mentors and other opportunities, encourage participation and advocacy, and watch as the profession transcends to a larger scale of counselors with indomitable professional identities.

References

American Counseling Association. (2014). ACA code of ethics. Retrieved from

http://www.counseling.org/resources/aca-code-of-ethics.pdf.

Harris, T. A. (2004). I’M OKAY, YOU’RE OKAY. New York, NY :HarperCollins

Publishers Inc.

Shaughnessy, M. F., Main, D., & Madewell, J. (2007). An interview with Irvin Yalom.

North American Journal Of Psychology, 9(3), 511-518.