Characteristics of a Good Counselor PDF

Characteristics of the Effective Counselor Why Do People Become Counselors?  Most believe they can really help people.  Some have a desire to help those that are less fortunate.  Some want to help prevent people from having difficulties in the first place....

Characteristics of the Effective Counselor Why Do People Become Counselors?  Most believe they can really help people.  Some have a desire to help those that are less fortunate.  Some want to help prevent people from having difficulties in the first place.  Some want to help people reach their full potential. Characteristics of the Effective Counselor Potentially Negative Reasons for Becoming a Counselor  When a counselor needs to make a difference but has unrealistic expectations for helping.  When a counselor has a need to care for others, the counselor may undermine the client’s autonomy by doing for the client.  When the counseling student has a need to solve his or her own problems.  When the counselor has a need to be powerful or influential. Characteristics of the Effective Counselor Counselor Interpersonal Dimensions that Affect Counseling Outcomes  The ability to listen and convey understanding without judgment.  The ability to be sensitive, empathic, and patient.  The ability to convey to the client that the counselor values the client’s experiences.  The ability to convey the belief that the client is capable, trustworthy, respectable, worthy and dependable. Characteristics of the Effective Counselor Counselor Interpersonal Dimensions that Affect Positive Counseling Outcomes (continued)  Demonstration of a positive belief in himself or herself as a counselor and demonstration of positive self-esteem.  Has self-awareness and knows his or her own biases or prejudices (good or bad) and is able to analyze his or her own feelings.  Is sensitive to cultural differences.  Has tolerance for ambiguity. Characteristics of the Effective Counselor Counselor Interpersonal Dimensions that Affect Positive Counseling Outcomes (continued)  Has the ability to model appropriate behaviors.  Has the ability to be altruistic.  Is ethical.  Ability to use oneself as a vehicle of change. Characteristics of the Effective Counselor Counselor Interpersonal Dimensions that Affect Positive Counseling Outcomes (continued)  Is committed to understanding specialized knowledge of the field and find it personally meaningful.  Stays current in professional knowledge by continuing to learn.  Respects the client’s worldview, personal experience, spirituality, and culture.  Has good self care strategies. Characteristics of the Effective Counselor Characteristics of the Self-Actualizing Person  He or she can tolerate doubt, uncertainty and ambiguity and can recognize the phony and dishonest.  He or she is honest and genuine and accepts oneself as human with flaws and mistakes and recognizes others as human also.  He or she has an internal source of motivation and drive and seeks growth instead of external approval. Characteristics of the Effective Counselor Characteristics of the Self-Actualizing Person (continued)  He or she is not ego-centered but chooses to help others out of concern for others and not for glorification of the self.  He or she enjoys solitude and aloneness and is unaffected by the stress of others.  He or she derives happiness from growth and internal rewards and not external needs for recognition. Characteristics of the Effective Counselor Characteristics of the Self-Actualizing Person (continued)  He or she has wonder about the world.  He or she has deep feelings of empathy and compassion for others.  He or she has deep, meaningful interpersonal relationships.  He or she is not racist and does not discriminate against others who are different from himself or herself. Characteristics of the Effective Counselor Characteristics of the Self-Actualizing Person (continued)  He or she is highly ethical.  He or she has a good sense of humor that is not hurtful towards others.  He or she has a unique creativeness all his or her own.  He or she is involved in causes outside of himself or herself. Characteristics of the Effective Counselor Additional Characteristics of Counselors  Counselors need a high level of energy to remain alert and attentive to their clients.  Counselors take risks everyday and face rejection by their clients or face clients or situations they may not be prepared to face.  Counselors face ambiguity all the time and need to be able to handle it.  Counselors are expected to develop intimate relationships with their clients as clients will share deeply personal and meaningful material with the counselor.