Title: 7 Characteristics of an Effective Counselor
Headings: 7 Characteristics of an Effective Counselor
7 Characteristics of an Effective Counselor
For those looking to become a counselor, here is a brief list of skills and qualities good counselors have.
1. Be organized within your practice.
2. Practice ethically and professionally.
3. Educate yourself.
4. Be confident in your position and responsibility.
5. Be respectful and non-judgmental.
6. Understand the importance of communication.
7. Have a flexible attitude.
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Content: Research shows that the therapeutic alliance or therapeutic relationship is one of the strongest predictors of success. A good therapeutic relationship is often defined as having trust, agreement on therapeutic goals formulated together on a treatment plan, and a collaborative approach to working towards those goals. 6. Understand the importance of communication. Every client is different, you may have some that need time to warm up to you, while some aren’t afraid to divulge their life story from the start. An effective counselor must understand that communication needs to be personalized to each client. Interpersonal skills go beyond the context of therapy itself. Consider differences in ethnicity, culture, background, and be self-aware of personal biases that may hinder or create barriers within the therapeutic relationship. When there is a cultural difference, one can combine this characteristic with that of educating oneself, and seek out the necessary clinical supervision or take an education training to gain the necessary education to effectively communicate with clients that may have different beliefs or cultural experiences. If the communication barrier still remains after seeking out supervision and additional training, an effective counselor must consider the option of a more appropriate referral outside of one’s private practice.