ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on how culture, background and worldview has an impact on our work as counsellors. Readers are encouraged to look at what is meant by ‘identity’ and how our personal identities might affect client work.
This chapter encourages you to really look at who you are and how your age, gender, class, sexuality, ethnicity, etc. may manifest in the counselling relationship. The impact of spiritual and professional identity is also examined here. Exercises and questions will be used to explore your identity and raise awareness. A detailed case example of a personal development group is used to show how being in this kind of group can help trainees become more aware of their identities and that of others in preparation for working with clients who are different from them.
