The Development of Professional Identity and the Impact of Counselor Educators: Examining the Role of Observational Learning and Self-Efficacy

This session examined the role that counselor educators play in the development of students’ professional identity. Social Cognitive Theory will be used as a framework to explore how educators’ attitudes and behaviors influence the professional attitudes and behaviors of counseling students. Findings from a quantitative examination of counseling students and novice counselors are explored. Implications for counselor education curriculum and counselor educators are discussed.