Options
The professional identity of school counsellors: A scoping review of the global literature
Author(s)
Date Issued
2025
Publisher
Wiley
Funding(s)
Hong Kong Research Grants Committee Faculty Development Scheme
ISSN
1746-1405
1473-3145
Citation
Counselling and Psychotherapy Research, Sept. 2025, vol. 25(3), article no. e70040.
Description
This work was supported by the Hong Kong Research Grants Committee Faculty Development Scheme (UGC/FDS15/H07/23).
Type
Peer Reviewed Journal Article
Abstract
ABSTRACTBackgroundA strong professional identity is associated with more effective school counselling but remains relatively underdeveloped in many parts of the world.AimsWe conducted a scoping review of school counsellor professional identity to assess the nature and extent of international literature and to identify research gaps.Materials and MethodsFollowing a literature search and application of inclusion criteria, 74 items, including peer‐reviewed articles and unpublished dissertations, were included.ResultsThe review identified several key themes in the literature: (1) ambiguity in counsellor identity, (2) the diverse roles of school counsellors, (3) individual and collective professional identity, (4) the influence of context on identity, (5) the role of training in shaping identity, (6) the impact of continuing professional development on identity and (7) the importance of advocacy and leadership in developing professional identity.DiscussionResearch on school counsellor professional identity is relatively well‐developed in the United States but sparse and fragmented elsewhere. As school counselling provision expands globally, there is a need for more cross‐cultural and methodologically diverse research. The literature shows a shift from a deficit‐focused perspective to a strengths‐based approach. Implications for counsellors, stakeholders, and future research are discussed.ConclusionThis scoping review highlights the need to strengthen school counsellor professional identity through training, advocacy, and cross‐cultural research.
Loading...
Availability at HKSYU Library
