| Counselling professionals' perceptions of the professional identity of Counselling and Counselling Psychology in Canada are often ill-defined. In fact Counselling Psychology is undergoing an identity crisis in Canada. Because professional status and identity are central to many professional issues a need exists for a clear definition of Counselling and Counselling Psychology.;Through a questionnaire survey, input was sought from three groups of professionals: counselling psychologists, counsellor educators, and counsellors. The survey gathered perceptions of professional identity of counselling and Counselling Psychology along with respondents' nature and scope of practice, research activity, theoretical orientation and professional ties.;On the whole, counselling professionals' perceptions of Counselling Psychology and Counselling are inconsistent with traditional philosophy of the professions. In addition, there is a disparity between current ideology and practice. Recommendations are made for counsellor education and professional associations to enhance the socialization of new graduates into the professions. |
