Current Students

Counselor Self Awareness and Fitness to Practice

The Counseling Department at East Texas Baptist University is strongly committed to the idea that the personhood of the counselor is a necessary element of the counseling process. Research continues to indicate that the relationship between the counselor and client is a primary contributor to effective outcomes in counseling. Thus, personal qualities, characteristics, experiences, and reactions of counselors are as important as knowledge and skills in working effectively with clients.

Personal development is a fundamental part of the counseling program. Much of the coursework in the department will require active engagement in self-reflection. This is particularly true in practicum and internship. Students are expected to take the necessary emotional risks for personal growth and self-awareness as well as to be able to effectively utilize critiques from faculty and peers. Emotional safety of students is important to faculty and every effort to ensure such safety will be made; however, safety differs from comfort. Students are expected to stretch themselves by identifying biases and assumptions, participating in activities that encourage personal reflection and self-knowledge, receiving feedback from faculty and peers, and using feedback to address barriers to effective counseling practice. Students must demonstrate the acquisition of and ability to apply counseling skills necessary to work with persons having diverse needs. Students must demonstrate emotional and mental fitness in their interactions with others (see section below). Students must also conform to the ACA Code of Ethics.

In addition, students are expected to conform to the ethical codes of other licenses and/or certifications in the State of Texas, which are applicable to their areas of emphasis (e.g., TSBEMFT, TEA).

Disclosure Statement
Enrollment in the Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program does not guarantee a degree from East Texas Baptist University or qualification for professional licensure. Students are responsible for meeting all academic and professional requirements for graduation. Further information regarding these academic and professional requirements is outlined in this handbook. Students enrolled in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program are responsible for knowing the materials outlined in this handbook. Further, if a student intends to practice in a state other than Texas after graduation, it is the sole responsibility of the student, not the program, or faculty, to obtain information regarding the prerequisites for licensure as outlined by their state board of professional counseling examiners.