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The professional identity of counsellors and guidance practitioners in Aotearoa New Zealand is currently under review as a result of the passing of legislation regulating health professionals and the proposed introduction of national registration of counsellors. In this paper I explore this debate, and examine the professional identities claimed by counsellors, counselling psychologists and psychotherapists. The current discussion in this country is both informed by and provides an illuminating lens on professional identity issues in Australia, the UK and the US. An alternative construction of professional identities that are localised and dynamic, yet distinctly of Aotearoa New Zealand, is proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Formerly heterosexually partnered gay fathers raised with religion are an under-researched group of LGBTQ parents. This group have potentially complex coming out journeys, which can result in them seeking counselling. This research qualitatively explores the counselling experiences of 12 such men and offers suggestions for working therapeutically with them. The key finding of the qualitative analysis of the participants' interviews was that they wanted therapists to not assume a "best" outcome for them as either gay or "straight". Instead, they wanted therapists to respect and assist them to explore their own individual sense-making around their identities and to reject fixed notions from both ex-gay and gay affirmative therapy of what it means to be a "well-adjusted" gay father. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT The current rush to professionalisation in the field of counselling and psychotherapy, and some of its deleterious effects, are examined. The parallels between this process and the experience of psychoanalysis in the USA in the 1940s and early 1950s are demonstrated, quoting from contemporary critics; and comparisons are drawn with the American phenomenon of managed care. An account is offered of what is happening in terms of the sociology of professions, suggesting that 'expert systems' are being substituted for 'local knowledges'--skills and wisdoms which cannot be fully systematised. The argument that this process is for 'the good of the client' is considered and rejected. Finally, some thoughts are presented about the likely future for counselling and psychotherapy, arguing that the victory of professionalisation and expertise is unlikely to be complete. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]