Between Worlds: Exploring Multiracial Identity Integration and Professional Confidence Among Mixed Race Counsellors and Counsellors-in-Training
Mixed race counsellors occupy a unique position in the counselling profession, navigating multiple cultural identities while developing professional confidence and authenticity. Despite the profession’s commitment to diversity and inclusion, the specific experiences of mixed-race counsellors remain under-researched.
Bicultural Identity Integration (BII) explores how harmoniously people perceive their multiple cultural identities. For mixed race counsellors, BII may influence their professional confidence, sense of belonging, and therapeutic presence.
This research seeks to answer three key questions:
- How do mixed race counsellors and trainees experience cultural identity integration?
- What is the relationship between cultural identity integration and professional confidence?
- How do these experiences influence belonging, authenticity, and professional growth within counselling contexts?
The objectives are to explore personal experiences of cultural identity integration and professional confidence using autoethnography, connecting personal narratives to wider cultural contexts. The study also aims to investigate how other mixed-race counsellors and trainees experience these processes, broadening the scope through mixed-method research. Ultimately, the goal is to identify common themes and trends that can inform culturally sensitive and confident counselling practice.
The research project employs a mixed-methods approach for data collection and analysis:
A. Heuristic Component: Autoethnographic Reflection. The researcher will keep a reflective journal focusing on experiences of identity, confidence, belonging, and growth during training and data collection. These entries will serve as both data and reflexive commentary.
B. Qualitative Component: Semi-Structured Interviews. Three to four interviews (30–45 minutes each) will be conducted online or in person. Interviews will be recorded (with consent) and transcribed for thematic analysis.
Sample questions include:
- How do you describe your cultural identity?
- How has your mixed heritage influenced your confidence as a counsellor or trainee?
- In what ways does your identity feel integrated (or not) in your professional role?
- How do training and supervision environments support or challenge this integration?
C. Quantitative Component: Online Questionnaire. A short anonymous survey (approximately 10–12 items) will be distributed, covering:
- Demographics: training status, years of experience, modality
- Bicultural Identity Integration (BII)
- Professional Confidence
- Belonging and Inclusion.
For the quantitative data (online questionnaire), consent will be sought at the beginning, including contact details of the researcher and the training institute. Participants will be informed about the research purpose, participation details, confidentiality, data handling, benefits and risks, and their right to withdraw at any time until 5th February 2026.
The research is approved by the Wight Counselling Training Institute and aligns with the BACP Ethical Framework.
All research data will be managed according to ethical guidelines and GDPR requirements.
For more details on how to take part, please see here.
To view the participant information sheet and consent form, please see here.