IngentaConnect Who Do We Think We Are? A Survey of Counsellors in Canada

Authors: Gazzola, Nicola¹; David Smith, J.

Source: International Journal for the Advancement of Counselling, Volume 29, Number 2, June 2007 , pp. 97-110(14)

Publisher: Springer

Abstract:

The mental health service delivery system in Canada is complex and the need for services is growing faster than the development of methods and programs to address these. Masters-level counsellors are increasingly called upon to play important roles in the treatment of mental health concerns, yet both the public and other allied professionals (psychologists, social workers, psychiatrists, medical practitioners) remain unclear about the role and functions of counsellors. The purpose of this study was to describe the essential characteristics of the counselling profession in Canada as revealed through perceptions of counsellors themselves. A web-based survey on counsellor professional identity was developed and distributed to all members of the Canadian Counselling Association with a 22.9% return rate. Results indicate that counsellors' roles are diverse and that they are generally satisfied with their choice of profession. However, they do not believe that the profession of counselling as a whole has a solid identity. Implications for the counselling profession in Canada are discussed.

Keywords: Canadian counsellors; Web-based survey; Mental health services; Counselling profession; Professional identity

Document Type: Research article

DOI: 10.1007/s10447-007-9032-y

Affiliations: 1: Email: gazzola@uottawa.ca

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