Good Traits of Great Counselors
Your ability to pursue your goal of becoming a counselor professionally depends heavily on your education. The ability to work with clients and actually assist them, however, depends on some skills that you must acquire outside of the classroom. Let’s go through some essential qualities you should develop to be prepared to assist clients. A mentor’s interpersonal and soft skills will go a long way toward assisting them in succeeding in their role. The following are the essential characteristics of a good psychologist that you should strive to develop as a professional:
Communication Skills
You must be able to effectively establish boundaries, convey ideas, and offer assistance to the person in front of you without being judgmental or harsh. Your interactions with patients should make it clear that they can rely on you to both listen and offer sound counsel.
Patience
You will come across clients who have difficulty moving forward or who make bad choices. In order for them to find their way to a healthy life, you as a mentor must have the patience to help them navigate their difficulties.
Confidence
You are available to give someone clear direction and support when they ask for assistance with a particular issue. As a professional, you should continually look for ways to develop your abilities and keep up with the most recent developments in the industry. After all, confidence does not equate to complete knowledge.
Non-judgmental
Therapists frequently have discussions with clients whose decisions they disagree with. However, the goal of the therapy session is not to point out the client’s mistakes. Instead, you should concentrate on guiding the client toward a future in which they will feel empowered and self-sufficient enough to make changes for themselves. The progress you can make as a counselor and client might be severely hampered if the client feels judged.
Hire Dr. Mark Sehl NY Psychotherapist for professional advice, we are located at New York, NY and you can call (212) 228-3467 to book an appointment with us.