Becoming congruent: Experiences of counsellors in the development of their authentic selves

Abstract

Understanding how counsellors authentically integrate their personal and professional selves into a congruent identity is still in progress. The current study employed an exploratory research methodology to answer the question, what are the experiences of counsellors in understanding and developing their authentic selves in the therapeutic relationship? Six master’s level participants were recruited and engaged in semi-structured interviews. Using reflexive thematic analysis to analyze the data, four themes were generated, each containing subthemes. The four themes included: dissolving fear, which described the outset of the participants’ journeys as counsellors and the returning point for new challenges; surrendering to self, which involved the recognition and trust of innate abilities and knowing; cultivating capacity, which highlighted the advancement of personal awareness and the ability to hold therapeutic space; and aligning with authenticity, which detailed the subjective accounts of the counsellors as their congruent selves. Findings from the present study contribute to the growing body of research that explores how a congruent use of Self benefits the counsellor, client, and therapeutic relationship. Recommendations for counsellors include incorporating personal and professional practices that help refine their inner attunement ability and to continue expanding their awareness of their authentic selves to determine how they want to engage in the therapeutic relationship.