TPC-DIGEST-Vol3Issue3

TPC D igest 30 A state’s professional counseling association conducted a demographic study to explore the characteristics of licensed mental health counselors in the state. Respondents indicated high satisfaction with their employment as full- time private practitioners, and peer support from coworkers or external support from other work settings was reported as highly beneficial to the respondents’ successful practice. Additionally, respondents selected five priorities for their professional counseling association: (1) professional development and education opportunities, (2) information sharing, (3) advocacy, (4) promoting visibility and name recognition, and (5) providing liaisons at the state and national levels. The study explores ways that the state professional association can meet the needs of counselors. Since most respondents were private practitioners, the possibility of the association serving as a source of social support is discussed, with the association currently being an underutilized resource. Results indicate that respondents had higher levels of perceived competence with professional activities such as service to clients and counseling supervision, but lower levels of competence with understanding legislation, standards, and codes, and working with insurance companies. The The Relationship Between Counselors and Their State Professional Association: Exploring Counselor Professional Identity – DIGEST Monica G. Darcy, NCC, is an Associate Professor and Director of Graduate Programs at Rhode Island College. Nahid M. Abed-Faghri is a member of the Rhode Island Mental Health Counselors Association. Correspondence can be addressed to Monica G. Darcy, Rhode Island College, 600 Mount Pleasant Avenue, Adams 102, Providence, RI 02908, mdarcy@ric.edu. Monica G. Darcy Nahid M. Abed-Faghri