Reviews the context, politics, illusions, contradictions, ironies, and possibilities involved in the search for identity in the counseling profession. Provides an overview of counseling psychology's history, its professional bodies, and the profession's political battles. Discusses attempts at establishing an identity and the need for a knowledge…

Ratings of actual and ideal goals and tasks of counselor licensing boards were obtained. A sample of 237 licensing board members from states issuing licenses, certification, or registry to counselors was provided by 37 boards. Board members rated public protection goals as most frequently accomplished and public protection tasks as most…