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

Abstract

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 association's 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.

KEYWORDS:

• creativity
• counseling
• counselor
• counselor educator
• relational competencies
• grounded theory
• relational-cultural theory
• power
• Association for Creativity in Counseling