Analysing Identity

12 An exploration of counselling identity in counsellors who deal with trauma

Selwyn Black and Peter Weinreich

INTRODUCTION

Counsellors bring the instrument of themselves into the therapeutic setting. ‘To every therapy session we bring our human qualities and the experiences that have influenced us most… . this human dimension is one of the most powerful determinants of the therapeutic encounter that we have with clients’ (Corey, 1996: 15). In bringing the instrument of self before clients, counsellors bring the living models of who they are alongside the continual struggle to live up to their aspirations. Indeed, there is a sense where the counsellor becomes the instrument rather than using instruments and counselling techniques. This process ...