Thelma Duffey

A Grounded Theory of Relational Competencies and Creativity in Counseling: Beginning the Dialogue

Counselors and counselor educators are ethically bound to lifelong development of knowledge and skills that promote personal growth and relational development. The Association for Creativity in Counseling (ACC) was established on the principles of relational-cultural theory (RCT), which addresses the role of relational competency in growth-fostering relationships. One of the associations principal goals is to identify and define specific relational competencies that support creative, innovative, inclusive, and relational practice. This article describes the initial research findings of a grounded theory study designed to explore the views and experiences of active ACC members concerning creativity and growth-fostering relational experiences, connections, and disconnections. The role of power is also discussed.

Promoting relational competencies in counselor education through creativity and relational-cultural theory

Abstract This article addresses the need to identify requisite relational competencies that professionals providing creative and innovative counseling services must hold when facilitating responsible, growth-fostering connections between service providers and others. This article also includes a discussion on how the relationally responsible use of power must be included in any forum that examines relational dynamics and competencies. Although subsequent writings will discuss creativity-related competencies in greater depth, the focus of this paper rests on some relational challenges that students and professionals in the counseling and related fields face and on the need to identify relational competencies that can facilitate successful resolution of these challenges.

Conversations with My Father: Adapting A Musical Chronology and the Emerging Life Song With Older Adults

ABSTRACT This article provides a brief review of the literature describing successful aging life tasks, such as reminiscence, meaning-making, and forming substantive connections. Using Relational-Cultural Theory as a base, the article addresses the need for connection and ways that connections can be developed and sustained in later life. Through a personal account, the authors also illustrate how grown children can use music to connect with their parents. Finally, the authors adapt A Musical Chronology and the Emerging Life Song, an intervention that uses music and memories, for use with older adults.

Second Language Acquisition: Cultural, Cognitive, and Clinical Considerations for Counseling Practice

The non-English-speaking population of the United States has increased by 140% since 1980 (Shin & Kominski, 2010). To serve this growing population, it is important that counselors increase their multicultural and multilingual competence. Through the lens of multicultural theory and relational-cultural theory, we analyze potential benefits of second language acquisition to counseling practice, such as cognitive benefits and increased access to services. Implications for counseling practice and future research are discussed.

The Ethical and Legal Practice of Online Counseling and Psychotherapy: A Review of Mental Health Professions

In this descriptive study, the authors reviewed the licensing boards for marriage and family therapists, professional counselors, psychologists, and social workers to determine the legal and ethical practice of online psychotherapy and counseling in the United States. Analyses revealed no differences between professions on whether they permitted online counseling and psychotherapy at the state level. Finally, a number of states directly addressed online clinical practice, many did not address this practice, and no state boards prohibited online counseling and psychotherapy.

Musical Relationship Metaphors: Using A Musical Chronology and the Emerging Life Song With Couples

The authors use the metaphor of music for helping couples identify and describe formulative events in their relationship. A seven-step process for creating a couples musical chronology is suggested. Couples link their relational history to specific music, a process that encourages them to deepen their connection and rekindle feelings that once brought them together. Other relationship metaphors are identified. Applications of musical metaphors as a creative problem-solving process conclude the article.

Assessing Student-Learning Outcomes Within a Counselor Education Program Philosophy, Policy, and Praxis

Given that the 2009 Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) standards require programs to implement curricular changes based on assessment data, there is a need for counselor education programs to share their assessment practices. We review the assessment procedures and structure in effect within CACREP-accredited programs at an urban state university. We describe how university policies and departmental mission framed the assessment procedures and provide examples of assessment criteria and program changes resulting from assessment data.

Relational-Cultural Theory as Pedagogy: Preparing Doctoral Student Leaders for the Counselor Education Workforce

A primary purpose of doctoral education in counselor education and supervision is the development of faculty members, leaders, and advocates for the profession. This article describes an experiential educational activity based in relational-cultural theory (RCT) designed to foster doctoral student relational leadership development. An overview of an RCT-based role-play assignment is provided. Discussion of counselor relational leadership development, support for emerging leaders, diversity, and the need for future research are also considered.

The Impact Project: A Relational Cultural Approach to Combating Bullying and Interpersonal Violence

ABSTRACT Acts of bullying and interpersonal violence have grave public health implications. Existing anti-bullying and interpersonal violence interventions rely on scripted, solution-focused protocols that lack relational shifts necessary for lasting change. The Impact Project is a grassroots campaign sponsored in conjunction with President Duffey’s 2015–2016 American Counseling Association Presidential Initiative on Anti-Bullying and Interpersonal Violence. The Impact Project is framed by relational cultural theory (RCT) and aims to help combat bullying and interpersonal violence by publicly honoring those who may not know or understand their value. This article addresses the mental and public health implications of bullying and interpersonal violence and the application of RCT to developing integrated community interventions. Recommendations for cultivating creative spaces, promoting resilience, and continuing the “impact” are provided.

A Counselor's Guide to Working with Men: Englar-Carlson/A Counselor's Guide to Working with Men

“Three renowned leaders of the profession have provided a landmark contribution to the counseling literature. Drawing from the latest research and theory about men’s development, the editors and their contributing authors express an empathic understanding about male socialization and explore why men are often reluctant to seek counseling. In a refreshingly positive manner, they address the particular needs of diverse populations of men and recommend how to modify counseling to work with men in different modalities and settings. This wonderful book is a superb resource for any counselor who works with men.” —Mark S. Kiselica, PhD The College of New Jersey Fellow and Former President The Society for the Psychological Study of Men and Masculinity