A good counsellor should bring their own unique abilities, qualities and skills into a counselling relationship to help ensure that their client feels safe and supported.
These may include:
Source: Attitudes and Qualities of a Counsellor:
http://www.thecounsellorsguide.co.uk/
· Listening skill
The most important ability for a counselor is to be able to listen to another's heart . Now a days ,it is getting uncommon or rare to have someone really listen to us, and it is in this space where the clients really talk openly and honestly, and in which we can concentrate on listening that counsellee can begin to do the work of healing .. I feel that understanding, compassion and respect are what move another human being and give them the courage to take action that leads them to victory in their own lives.
· The ability to question, reflect and challenge attitudes and beliefs and a genuine interest in provoiding support
Other important skills include good planning and motivational skills, problem solving, organisational ability and re-orientation skills.
A capable counsellor must possess a number of personal qualities and develop the proper attitudes to make a client feel at ease and to build rapport so that a client can self-disclose.
What are these personal qualities?
EMPATHY
Empathic understanding is the ability to see things from the client’s perspective. Without this quality a counsellor will be unable to comprehend the problems, experiences, thoughts and feelings of another person, and will not be able to offer clients the level of supportive understanding that they will require.
The counsellor’s full attention and empathy encourages a client to relax and trust and encourages self-disclosure.
CONGRUENCE AND WARMTH
A counsellor should be agreeable and act appropriately to provide the client with a comfortable foundation for the counselling relationship. Only by creating a friendly atmosphere can the counsellor encourage interaction and disclosure.
· Maintain warmth and genuine understanding.
· Use appropriate body language such as a non-threatening posture, while maintaining eye contact and respecting the client’s personal space.
· Maintain a reassuring and comforting way of speech – the tone of voice, speed of speech and style of delivery.
RESPECT
Counsellors must at all times show respect for clients and their welfare. They must also remain impartial and non-judgmental.
A client must feel comfortable, safe and confident that confidentiality will be maintained at all times and also that the counsellor is committed to helping, encouraging and supporting.
Whilst maintaining a professional focus a counsellor must be able to show a genuine openness.
POSITIVE REGARD
It is of vital importance in the counselling relationship that the counsellor demonstrates a positive acceptance of the client and that the client is valued and respected.
A positive, unconditional regard for the wellbeing of a client is the basis from which clients can explore their thoughts, feelings and experiences, and develop an understanding and acceptance of their emotions.
A counsellor must not judge in any way. This may be difficult in some situations, but is the basis of a counselling relationship built on trust.
Accepting a client shows the individual that you are there to support them through the counselling process, regardless of their weaknesses, negativity or unfavourable qualities.
IMPORTANT VALUES
At all times counsellors must show a commitment to values such as the following:
· Human dignity
· Alleviating personal distress
· Appreciating the differences in culture
· Remaining non-judgmental
· Ensuring the integrity of the client/counsellor relationship
· Maintaining client confidentiality and ethical principles.
There are three basic personal qualities of a counsellor.
1) Empathic Understanding
Understanding the client from his point of view, being with him in his world.
2) Acceptance
Being able to suspend judgement and criticism, listen by giving compelte attention so that
the client feels valued for himself.
3) Genuineness
The ability and willingness to be open, real and consistent in the relationship with theclient. Prepared to give him time and attention, not wanting to manipulate or patronisehim in a ‘do-gooding’ way. The client must feel the counsellor is a real person, not justsomeone in a professional role.
These qualities bring forth the facilitative role of the counsellor. He / she is assisting the
client by showing genuine concern and by not attempting to advise the client. These
qualities are communicated by the way the counsellor attends and responds verbally and
non-verbally to the client.
The essential qualities of a counselling are empathic understanding, acceptance and
genuineness.
In a context these qualities are projected by showing respect to the client. The client has
varous rights that must be respected. Some basic rights of he client are :-
(a) Right to speak and be heard.
(b) Right to his/her opinion
PERSONAL KNOWLEDGE
In addition to counselling qualifications, a counsellor should be armed with sufficient personal knowledge and understanding of what counselling is all about.
He/she must also be clear about the role of the counsellor and the problems, issues and expectations every client will present.
Counsellors must be self-aware, and must be in control of their feelings, thoughts and emotions whilst working with clients.
PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT of a counsellor and counselling process
Through his/her own development a counsellor will also pick up additional understanding and knowledge, which can be used effectively to support a client during the counselling process.
Counselling skills are constantly improved if the counsellor has an interest in self-awareness and self-development.
This continual process can include a growth in the following:
Self-awareness
Self-counselling
Work/life balance
Career and personal focus
Goal setting.
This continual process can include a growth in the following:
Self-awareness
Self-counselling
Work/life balance
Career and personal focus
Goal setting.
Source: Attitudes and Qualities of a Counsellor:
http://www.thecounsellorsguide.co.uk/
There are three basic personal qualities of a counsellor.
1) Empathic Understanding
Understanding the client from his point of view, being with him in his world.
2) Acceptance
Being able to suspend judgement and criticism, listen by giving compelte attention so that
the client feels valued for himself.
3) Genuineness
The ability and willingness to be open, real and consistent in the relationship with theclient. Prepared to give him time and attention, not wanting to manipulate or patronisehim in a ‘do-gooding’ way. The client must feel the counsellor is a real person, not justsomeone in a professional role.
These qualities bring forth the facilitative role of the counsellor. He / she is assisting the
client by showing genuine concern and by not attempting to advise the client. These
qualities are communicated by the way the counsellor attends and responds verbally and
non-verbally to the client.
The essential qualities of a counselling are empathic understanding, acceptance and
genuineness.
In a context these qualities are projected by showing respect to the client. The client has
varous rights that must be respected. Some basic rights of he client are :-
(a) Right to speak and be heard.
(b) Right to his/her opinion
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