3 Yes, You are a Professional

Are you a student intern? A behavioral health technician at a hospital or rehab center? A social worker at a school or VA? A substance use disorder counselor in a treatment setting? A case manager, a certified peer support specialist, a licensed counselor, a psychologist?

All of these titles – and many others – are the roles of helping professionals. Identifying ourselves as professionals is a necessary step in our career development. As broad as the roles are that we play, we should remember that we belong to a vast network of professionals contributing to a common cause. The work we do is a vital cog in the bigger machinery of society.

We make an important difference by serving the needs of others during periods of difficulty. By supporting people through life transitions, helping them overcome obstacles, and connecting them with critical resources. And by allowing the next generation of helpers to grow into their own professional identities.

Jeffrey Kottler discusses several of these issues at length in his excellent – and highly recommended – book, On Being a Therapist. His analysis of why we really do what we do is fascinating. One of the issues he raises is that while we may tell ourselves a certain story about how we simply want to help others, there are invariably underlying motivations that drive us as well. These include everything from confronting our own unresolved issues to living vicariously through the chaos of our clients’ lives, akin to the drama of experiencing a reality show up-close.

Being aware of these seemingly contradictory drives may help us be better in tune with why we do the work we do. It will also help us maintain better boundaries and recognize when the work is more about ourselves than our clients.

Selfish rationale aside, the work of helping professionals should be commended. This work can be stressful, draining, and unglamorous, and it often comes with clients who do not appreciate our efforts. We certainly do not do it for glory, fame, or fortune. Nevertheless, there is a certain satisfaction that comes with contributing to the betterment of others, or at least giving our best effort to the cause, as helpers seek to make a difference in the lives of the individuals, children, families, and communities they touch.

Of course, being a professional also means that we need to act the part. Professionalism can be identified in how we dress, talk, and treat others, in addition to how we do our actual job. At all times, we are representing the entire field of helpers. Our faces may be the ones that clients and their families forever associate with the industry. No pressure, right? But if we treat ourselves and our colleagues as professionals, then we create an environment where society recognizes us not just as dedicated servants, but as the skilled, educated workers we are.

Another point I want to raise is that we are modeling for others with our speech and actions. Clients observe our behavior and pick up clues about how to interact with others, handle stressful situations, and make it successfully through each day. Even when it seems as if we are not making any progress with a client, social learning is taking place and can have a positive impact. [1] In this way, our behavior can have a meaningful and lasting impact on others.

One of the most important takeaways someone might get from their time in our service is a positive example. How we handle our own stresses, anxieties, and daily difficulties can serve as subtle but profound models for others.

So remember that you are a professional who sets an example for your colleagues, clients, and others who see your work, and that your work contributes to a vital industry. Your identity matters to the work that you do and the impression we give to others about the field. By continually reinforcing the professional nature of our field, we encourage others to respect the work and to reward it appropriately through improved compensation and benefits.