Developing an Original Model of Counsellor Identity Development for Nigerian Counselling Training Programmes

Counsellor identity development is a critical process in professional training that determines the depth, authenticity, and cultural competence of counselling practice, yet existing models of counsellor identity development are derived from Western professional training contexts and require original development for the Nigerian counselling training landscape, which operates within different institutional, cultural, and supervisory conditions. This study developed an original model of counsellor identity development for Nigerian counselling training programmes, making a contribution to both counsellor education theory and Nigerian professional training standards. A constructive theory-building methodology was employed, combining systematic review of counsellor identity development models (42 publications), longitudinal qualitative research with trainee counsellors at three Nigerian universities (University of Calabar, Ahmadu Bello University, and University of Lagos) followed across a full counselling training programme of two academic years, and expert validation. The longitudinal qualitative study followed 24 trainee counsellors through 18 months of training using reflective journals, triennial in-depth interviews, and supervisor observations, generating rich phenomenological data subjected to grounded theory analysis. The original Nigerian Counsellor Identity Development Model proposes six developmental phases: role entry and identity ambiguity, theoretical framework adoption, cultural identity negotiation, supervised practice integration, ethical identity consolidation, and professional community belonging. Each phase specifies characteristic challenges, developmental tasks, supervisor support functions, and training environment requirements. The model integrates cultural identity dimensions, specifically the tension between Western counselling theory and Nigerian cultural values, as a central and unique feature of Nigerian counsellor identity formation.

Keywords: counsellor identity development, counsellor education, Nigeria, training model, professional identity