The availability of the services of a counselor has proven to be convenient and practical for several people. Because of the wisdom and treatment provided by counseling sessions, many individuals end up solving their problems and issues. This fact can be considered as good news for people like you who need someone to talk to or a professional who can help you process your thoughts.
Take note that each counselor has a variety of skills. Therefore, you cannot expect all of them to possess the same level of comprehension and understanding of the proper techniques for counseling sessions. Because of this, it becomes more challenging to search for the best counselor who can help you with what you are going through at the moment.
Do not worry because we are going to provide you with a list of the top five qualities every counselor must possess:
Effective Communication
Look for a counselor who can communicate well to all her clients. Keep in mind that the foundation of a good relationship with the said professional is your connection with one another. Take note that opening up to another person can be difficult. A good counselor must know the proper ways on how to make things easier. Keep in mind that between the two of you, he must be the one who shall make an effort in improving the communication lines between the two of you.
“Counselors need to have a natural ability to listen and be able clearly explain their ideas and thoughts to others,” said Ashley Miller, a licensed social worker and psychotherapist.
Empathy
Another thing to look for in a counselor is his ability to connect with you. It is crucial for you to feel that he understands what you are going through. Remember that an excellent counselor is someone who looks at you with respect and humility. He must learn how to protect your secrets so that you can have a stronger relationship with him. As such, make sure to observe the way you feel whenever you are face-to-face with the counselor. The way he talks and acts says a lot about his ability to connect with his clients.
“An effective counselor can identify negative thinking patterns that may be feeding feelings of sadness, depression or anxiety,” according to psychiatrist Lynn Ponton, MD.
Acceptance
If there is one vital thing that you must accept at this point in your life, it is the fact that several people will always have something to say to you. What is important is the need to ignore the naysayers and show them otherwise. Because of this, it is imperative on your part to make an effort to avoid people who keep on judging you for your choices and decisions. It is the primary reason why you need to find a counselor who nicely treats you. He must accept who you are and must never make any negative comment about what you are going through. Always remind yourself that there are several counselors out there who can accept everything about their clients.
Honesty
Find a counselor whom you can trust with your life. Do not go for a professional who is willing to lie to your face for the sole purpose of making you feel good. What you need is someone who will tell you what is absolutely true, without any color of dishonesty. It must be noted that a dishonest counselor will do more harm than good in your life. For this reason, you have to continue working hard to be able to afford an honest counselor who can assist you in every step of the way. If you have difficulties in accepting certain realities, do not hesitate to talk to your counselor about it.
Conclusion
Searching for the right counselor can be a struggle, especially if you are doing it for the first time. The best thing that you can do is to take your time in looking for the best counselor. According to Susan Lager, LICSW, a psychotherapist and relationship coach in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, “therapy is an interactive process. Express your needs, ask questions, read books, and do the “homework assignments,” she said. Remember that it is better to spend a lot of time for the search than to engage someone who will only increase the stress and anxiety in your life.
Feel free to ask for recommendations or referrals from the people you know so that you can have several options. It is also suggested to book a preliminary appointment with a counselor first before deciding to retain his services for an extended period. Do not be afraid to test the waters. Eventually, all your efforts will be worth it. Be sure to use the checklist mentioned in this article.