A Bibliometric Review of Counselors’ Professional Competency Literature

Abstract

Research on counselor professional competencies has gained attention due to its crucial role in shaping effective counseling practices and strengthening professional identity. Although a growing body of literature exists, the motivations, contexts, and findings remain diverse. Therefore, this study conducts a bibliometric analysis to map the patterns and directions of research on counselor professional competencies. A total of 241 documents, comprising 223 journal articles and 18 reviews, were extracted from the Scopus database covering the period from 1957 to 2025. We employed RStudio, VOSviewer, and Microsoft Excel for citation, content, and network analyses. The bibliometric analysis was complemented by a systematic review of relevant publications. The results reveal that the United States dominates the research output, followed by Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Co-authorship patterns show relatively low levels of international collaboration. The cartography analysis identified three major research clusters: (1) ethics and professional practice in genetic counseling, (2) clinical supervision and counselor professional development, and (3) clinical competencies, counseling practice, and therapeutic effectiveness. This study represents the first bibliometric review of counselor professional competencies, addressing gaps in the literature and offering directions for future research, particularly in the integration of supervision, cultural competence, and the development of professional identity in diverse socio-cultural contexts.