Lesson 3: CHARACTERISTICS OF AN EFFECTIVE COUNSELLOR
Definition of Counselling:
Rogers (1961) defines the helping relationship as one “in which at least one of the parties
has the intent of promoting the growth, the development, maturity, improved functioning,
and improved coping with life of the other”.
Counseling allows certified specialists to assist people who are dealing with grief, sadness,
anxiety, addiction, relationship problems, and other common mental health difficulties.
There are a number of qualities that a counsellor must possess in order to be effective.
The characteristics of an effective counsellor actually can be derived and judged from the
ability in application of skills of counselling from the beginning stages of counselling to
termination and follow up stage.
Characteristics of an effective Counsellor
Effective therapists have a distinct personality: They are aware of who they are, what they
are capable of becoming, what they desire in life, and what is necessary.
Therapists who are effective respect and value themselves: They may give and accept
affection and assistance based on their own self-worth and strength. They feel competent in
the presence of others and allow others to feel powerful in their presence.
Effective therapists are willing to adapt to new situations: They show a desire and fortitude
to leave the safety of the familiar if they are unhappy with their current situation. They
make decisions about how they want to change and work hard to become the person they
want to be.
Effective therapists make life-oriented decisions: They are conscious of their early choices
about themselves, others, and the world. They are not victims of their hasty decisions, and
they are willing to change their minds if necessary. Rather of settling for a mediocre
existence, they are determined to living fully.
Authentic, true, and honest therapists are effective: They don't hide behind masks or fixed
roles. They are the same person in both their personal and professional lives.
Therapists that are effective have a sense of humour: They have the ability to put life's
experiences into context. They haven't lost their sense of humour, especially when it comes
to their own flaws and paradoxes.
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Therapists who are effective make mistakes and are willing to admit them: They do not
casually disregard their mistakes, but they also do not choose to linger on them.
Effective therapists are usually present-oriented: They aren't stuck in the past, and they
aren't focused on the future. They may be present in the "now" and experience it with
others.
Effective therapists are aware of the cultural influence: They are conscious of how their
own culture influences them, and they value the diversity of values held by different
civilizations. They are aware of the distinct differences that exist according to social status,
colour, sexual orientation, and gender.
Effective therapists are really concerned about the well-being of others: Respect, caring,
trust, and a genuine value for others underpin this concern.
Effective therapists are able to communicate effectively with others: They can penetrate
another person's world without becoming lost in it, and they endeavour to form
collaborative partnerships with others. They are open to hearing other people's points of
view and can work together to achieve common goals.
Effective therapists invest themselves in their profession and find purpose in it: They are
not slaves to their work and can enjoy the rewards that come with it.
Effective therapists are enthusiastic about their work: They are courageous in pursuing
their aspirations and passions, and they exude vigour.
Therapists that are effective are able to maintain healthy limits: Despite their best efforts
to be fully there for their clients, they do not carry their clients' difficulties with them during
their free time. They understand how to say no, allowing them to preserve a sense of
balance in their life.
Personal 'fitness.' Lack of personal wants or irrational ideas that are harmful to counselling
relationships, self-confidence, ability to bear powerful or uncomfortable feelings in relation
to clients, stable personal boundaries, and the ability to be a client Social bias,
ethnocentrism, and authoritarianism are not present.
Technique mastery and know how: Knowledge of when and how to carry out certain
interventions, ability to assess intervention effectiveness, comprehension of technique
justification, and possession of a sufficiently broad repertoire of treatments are all required.
It is more appropriate to think of these areas of counsellor competence as part of a growth
process rather than as permanent and static. It is stated that being a therapist is similar to
embarking on a journey that begins in childhood and progresses through early experiences,
training, and professional maturity.
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CHARACTERISTICS OF EFFECTIVE COUNSELORs
The three main core conditions that Carl Rogers considered essential for effective
counseling are:
1) Unconditional positive regard-Unconditional positive regard as a technique that involves
showing complete support and acceptance of psychotherapy clients.
2) Empathy- The ability to understand and share the feelings of another.
3) Congruence- Congruence is a state in which a person's ideal self and actual experience
are consistent or very similar. However, Rogers felt that it was rare for a complete state of
congruence to exist and that all people experience a certain amount of incongruence.
1. Be organized
Excellent counsellors prioritise structure in their business, which makes providing effective
counselling to new and existing clients much easier. clients will have peace of mind and
confidence in counselling process because of the organisation of paperwork, scheduling,
and careful storage of personal information. An effective and structured counsellor will
experience a stronger sense of wellbeing and balance within themselves, which will enable
space for a more effective counselling process, while also offering a greater sense of well-
being to your clients.
2. Professional Ethics and professionalism.
A good counsellor must be able to understand their responsibilities as an ethical
professional because of the power imbalance that can exist in therapy situations. In
doctorate and master's degree programmes, courses devoted solely to ethics in healthcare,
particularly mental health, will be given. Counselors who wish to study more about ethics
outside of the classroom might use a variety of sites. Some of the instruments accessible
include the American Counseling Association Code of Ethics, competencies, and mental
health regulations.
3. Educate and keep learning:
If one decide to pursue a degree in professional mental health counselling, it is a wise
option. It is one of the most important and necessary steps to becoming a successful
counsellor. Counselor education, in addition to clinical counselling experience, permits
mental health professionals to increase their field of practise. Attending a counselling
conference, such as a conference or workshops on diagnosis, testing, and analysis, is
another wonderful way to get knowledge. Work hard, ask a lot of questions, and obtain as
much experience as possible when studying or being certified as a counsellor.
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4. Be confident in your position and responsibility.
Whether been a certified professional counsellor for 20 years or are just starting out, one
must have faith in your work. When a client comes to you for assistance, make sure to put
your education and expertise to good use. Clinical supervision is also recommended and
required to maintain competency and to examine circumstances that may arise in practise
and lead to additional knowledge and confidence in the application of counselling abilities.
5. Maintain a respectful and nonjudgmental attitude.
"Counselors are conscious of — and avoid imposing — their own values, attitudes, beliefs,
and behaviours," according to the ACA Code of Ethics (A.4.b). You must respect each client's
beliefs and struggles as a counsellor, and you must never assert your own personal values or
ideas. To strengthen the therapeutic connection, self-disclosure must be done responsibly
and only when necessary. One of the strongest determinants of success, according to
research, is the therapeutic alliance or therapeutic relationship. Trust, agreement on
therapeutic goals created together on a treatment plan, and a collaborative approach to
achieving those goals are all common characteristics of a healthy counsellor.
6. Understand the importance of communication.
Every client is unique; some may take some time to warm up to, while others aren't hesitant
to share their life storey right away. A good counsellor understands that each client's
message needs to be tailored to them. Interpersonal abilities extend beyond the confines of
therapy. Consider race, culture, and background differences, as well as personal biases that
may obstruct or create barriers in the therapeutic partnership. When there is a cultural
difference, this characteristic can be combined with the ability to educate oneself, and one
can seek out the necessary clinical supervision or participate in an education training to gain
the necessary education to effectively communicate with clients who may have different
beliefs or cultural experiences. If the communication barrier persists despite seeking
supervision and extra training, a good counsellor should consider making a more
appropriate referral outside of their own practise.
7. Have a flexible attitude.
When working as a counsellor, you must be flexible in order to interact with clients that are
unpredictable. Some clients may be late or cancel, as well as those who require an
emergency session. To guarantee that your clients feel comfortable and understood, a good
counsellor must have a flexible attitude and unconditional positive respect, which is
beneficial for the development of the therapeutic relationship.
Qualities of a Good Counsellor:
1.Ability to communicate
Communication abilities will be crucial in your client relationships. Patients should be able
to trust you to listen and deliver professional advice as a result of your communication.
2.Patience
As a counsellor, patience will become a valuable asset. As a counsellor, you must have the
patience to guide people through their difficulties so that they can achieve a healthy
lifestyle.
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3. Confidence
Counselors must have faith in the services they give and the methods they use to assist
clients. Knowing everything there is to know does not imply certainty. It does, however,
imply knowing how to assist your clients and arriving at each session with a strategy and
confidence in your knowledge.
Non-judgmental \s. If the client feels judged, it might be difficult for us to make progress
together as a counsellor and client.
4.Observant
Your talents of observation, on the other hand, can assist you in filling in the blanks and
identifying ways to further assist your clients. Learning to read body language, such as
indicators of substance addiction and signals of domestic abuse, can give you significant
information about your client.
5.Ability to Listen
Knowing how to sit and genuinely listen to what your client has to say can assist you and the
client build trust and understanding. The patient will feel at ease and will be able to express
their feelings, thoughts, and experiences. As a listener, you can obtain information that can
assist you better understand your customer.
6.Trust
As a counsellor, you must demonstrate your dedication to assisting your client by employing
effective listening skills, establishing a friendly environment, and displaying your
commitment to them. Demonstrating your regard for essential ideals like confidentiality and
demonstrating that they are important to you can also assist to develop trust.
7.Respectful
You should also work on demonstrating to your clientele that you value them as individuals.
Although you may not be able to prevent a person from being humiliated by their acts as a
counsellor, your response to such instances, as well as displaying respect regardless of their
faults, can assist them in moving over their shame.
8.Acceptance
You must also show an open and receptive approach toward your customers as a
counsellor. Accept them as they are and demonstrate that we wish to assist them in their
recovery.
10.Self-aware
You must also be mindful of your own challenges as a counsellor. Many counsellors claim
that their own personal experiences inspired them to pursue a career in counselling;
therefore, understand how you may use your own personal experiences to strengthen your
own profession rather than allowing them to become a problem.
11.Recognizing and appreciating differences
They will most likely come from a variety of cultural, ethnic, and socioeconomic
backgrounds. Gender expression and identification, as well as sexuality, will be brought to
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your attention. You must be accepting of this difference as a counsellor. Being appreciative
of this diversity will enable you to be open and welcoming of each client, allowing you to
provide them with the care they require.
12.Empathetic
While maintaining limits is crucial, show your clients that you care about their predicament
by expressing sympathy and empathy. Demonstrate your commitment to assisting them in
overcoming their difficulties so that they can achieve a healthier position.
