TPC-Digest-Vol-3-Iss-2-FINAL31

TPC D igest The Professional Counselor -DIGEST Volume 3, Issue 2 http:/ /tpcjournal.nbcc.or g © 2013 NBCC Inc., & Affiliates Full article: Flynn, S. V., & Black, L. L. (2013). Altruism–self-interest archetypes: A paradigmatic narrative of counseling professionals. The Professional Counselor , 3 , 54–66. 13 salient archetypes representative of the altruism–self-interest dynamic emerged: exocentric altruist, endocentric altruist, and psychological egoist. The essence of the exocentric altruist archetype is to help a person in need and not be concerned with gaining reward or avoiding punishment. The endocentric altruist archetype appears to emphasize meeting someone else’s needs but is simultaneously meeting the needs of self during the act. The psychological egoist archetype helps others while expecting to benefit directly or indirectly from the act. Implications center on the danger of excessive adherence and non-adherence to a particular archetype, counselor training, and reflection on how professional counselors meet their own needs in a therapeutic relationship.