In addition, the R elationship category of the model includes a commitment to family values which involves an appreciation of the opportunities to build strong families through service in the counseling profession. The C ompetent counselor is able to apply the specialty studies that include essential knowledge, skills, and attitudes to become an effective counselor. It includes an understanding of human growth and development, learning theory, research, and an awareness of the social, political, and economic realities that individuals experience in culturally diverse and complex human encounters. The mission statement of the Department of Counseling supports the University s overall mission statement. John Brown University desires to prepare counselors with Christ-like character, integrity, compassion, and commitment as reflective professionals and skilled decision makers.
Competent counseling is neither art nor science, but a relationship embedded in caring.
The C.A.R.E. conceptual framework appears in course syllabi, unit assessment system, and in materials describing the program. The model is shared in various ways. The unit wanted individuals who contributed to the development of the framework to know that their input was valued and used. Specifically, we targeted sharing information with all unit members including part-time faculty, School Counseling Advisory Board Members and counseling candidates. The concept of competence features the idea of a reflective professional involved in skilled decision making.