Forming a Professional Counselor Identity: The Impact of Identity Processing Style

This study examined the impact of identity processing style on professional counselor identity development. 136 masters students in a CACREP-accredited counseling program completed a survey with measures of counselor identity and identity style. Results of the study signify that differences in identity processing style have an impact on the development of a professional counselor identity. The use of both informational and normative processing styles appear beneficial in forming a professional counselor identity, though the informational style alone was indicative of a professional counselor identity beyond identity commitment. The diffuse/avoidant style seems least suitable for developing a professional counselor identity