Revisions to client and professional self-categorisations during reciprocal support groups among the long-term unemployed in Finland

This chapter focusses on professionally led support groups in which alternative and revised client and professional self-categorisations may be explored and re-crafted. It is argued that reciprocal helping processes can mobilise alternative self-categorisations through which social work can assist clients in re-shaping and distancing themselves from culturally stigmatised categorisations used in a variety of welfare landscapes. This chapter utilises interview data from clients and professionals, based on their experiences in support groups aimed at enhancing daily well-being among long-term unemployed Finnish clients. The analysis focusses on revised client and professional self-categorisations. As a result of the analysis, five categories were identified: active life changer, supporter, equally encountered, professionally grown and bystander.