Title: Top Eight Attributes of an Effective Counselor | Work - Chron.com
Headings: Top Eight Attributes of an Effective Counselor
Top Eight Attributes of an Effective Counselor
Communication Skills
Acceptance
Empathy
Problem-Solving Skills
Rapport-Building Skills
Flexibility
Self-Awareness
Multicultural Competency

Content: Top Eight Attributes of an Effective Counselor | Work - Chron.com
Top Eight Attributes of an Effective Counselor
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By Ashley Miller Updated June 28, 2018
Professional counselors are licensed mental health therapists who provide assessment, diagnosis and counseling to people facing a variety of life stresses and psychological problems. They help people with relationship issues, family problems, job stress, mental health disorders such as depression and anxiety, and many other challenging problems that can impact feelings of well-being and happiness. To be effective in their roles, counselors should enjoy helping others and possess specific attributes and skills. Communication Skills
Effective counselors should have excellent communication skills. Although some of these skills can be honed during graduate school and are developed and refined over the course of your career, you should already possess certain communication skills before embarking on a counseling career. Counselors need to have a natural ability to listen and be able clearly explain their ideas and thoughts to others. Acceptance
Being nonjudgmental and accepting are important attributes in any of the helping professions. But professional counselors must be able to "start where the client is at." This phrase is often used in counseling to describe the ability to relate to clients with an open, nonjudgmental attitude – accepting the client for who she is and in her current situation. Counselors need to be able to convey acceptance to their clients with warmth and understanding.