Antunes-Alves, Sara2013-11-072013-11-0720102010Source: Masters Abstracts International, Volume: 49-02, page: 0774.http://hdl.handle.net/10393/28489http://dx.doi.org/10.20381/ruor-12568This study employed a variation of grounded theory method to investigate how seasoned counsellors in a midsized Canadian city experienced their counsellor professional identity. Six master's-level counsellors were interviewed using a semi-structured interview protocol to develop an understanding of how they define themselves as professionals, as well as how they view the counselling profession overall. Twenty-five themes emerged, which were further classified into five categories: (a) key influences on counsellor professional identity, which included seven themes; (b) counsellors' professional image, which included seven themes; (c) counsellors' roles and practices, which included six themes; (d) counsellor education and training, which included three themes; and (e) critical events of counsellor professional identity, which included two themes. Encouraging counsellors and counsellor trainees to reflect upon their professional identity and how it develops could foster a stronger professional identity among counsellors and ultimately promote a stronger and more unified image of the profession. Keywords: counselling, professional identity, counsellor education190 p.enEducation, Guidance and Counseling.Thesis