Home / Academics / Find a Program / Master of Arts in Counseling and Art Therapy / CREATE: Professional Dispositions | Ursuline - Liberal Arts College in OH
The Ursuline Counseling and Art Therapy program has adopted a set of professional dispositions to be developed and demonstrated by all students and faculty to the greatest extent possible.
Dispositions refer to “the commitments, characteristics, values, beliefs, interpersonal functions, and behaviors that influence the counselor’s professional growth and interactions with clients and colleagues” (CACREP, 2016). The professional dispositions form the memorable acronym, CREATE, and are defined below. Dispositions will be monitored and evaluated for each student at several key points during their time in the program.
Demonstrates flexibility, curiosity, and openness to new ideas, feedback, learning, and change via multiple forms of expression (oral, written, expressive) throughout interactions with clients, peers, supervisors, and program faculty; Demonstrates solid knowledge of expressive media and applications of creative processes within helping relationships
Demonstrates responsibility and accountability for one’s behavior and actions, as well as to clients, peers, faculty, and to the professions; Shows motivation, initiative, and investment in classes and other program contexts, including in areas of self-growth and professional identity development
Demonstrates integrity, preparedness, and proactive communication and collaborative problem-solving skills to ensure success in meeting all requirements of classes and the program; Demonstrates ethical decision-making and professional behaviors in accordance with counseling and art therapy profession codes of ethics, as well as state and federal laws
Engages in self-reflection and self-critique as an ongoing part of cultural learning and skill-building; Demonstrates respect, understanding, and appreciation of individual, cultural, and contextual dimensions and differences; Demonstrates commitment to causes and efforts that promote equity and social justice for all clients, practitioners, and the professions
Demonstrates effectiveness in core helping skills that foster a positive therapeutic alliance and optimal conditions for client growth across counseling and art therapy practice contexts. These include, but are not limited to: basic verbal and nonverbal listening, attending, and communication skills; clinical planning and intervention skills (i.e., assessment, case conceptualization); and demonstrating attributes of empathy, congruence, non-judgment, and genuine positive regard for clients in alignment with values and principles of the professions
Demonstrates emotional maturity and stability in navigating personal and professional stressors. This includes proactive seeking of support, resources, and regular engagement in self-care practices that build self-awareness, self-efficacy, and personal resiliency in recognition that maintaining healthy emotional functioning is both an ethical responsibility and a critical prerequisite for effectiveness in one’s role as a helping professional
