The critical need for professional advocacy: A call to the counseling profession to value professional counselor identity

Abstract

ABSTRACT Decades of advocacy have established Counseling as a valuable profession through Counseling accreditation, credentialing, licensure, and scholarship that reflect Counseling values, ethics, philosophical orientation, skills, and roles. In 2022, Counselors became recognized Medicare providers and anticipated inter-state practice through the Counseling Compact. We encourage Professional Counselors to foresee unintended consequences of new opportunities, protect Professional Counselor Identity and transprofessional collaborations, and remain vigilant to not lose the hard-earned privilege to uniquely serve as Professional Counselors.