Characteristics Of Professional Counseling Specialists

By Virginia Collins


Being a counselor is not only determined by the knowledge acquired in school. Since therapists interact with people all the time, one must develop more personal qualities to help them understand and handle patients. These include upholding confidentiality, being patient as well as encouraging clients. While a few traits are inherent in some people, others must be developed with time. Therefore, if one is aspiring to become a professional counseling doctor, he or she should examine themselves to find out whether they possess these features. The paragraphs below describe a few of them.

Psychologists must be self-aware. Self-awareness is the process of understanding oneself first before helping others. Just as a dentist with terrible teeth looks weird handling a patient with dental problems so is a counselor who does not understand themselves. Before choosing a psychologist, patients must ascertain that selected individuals can handle themselves as well as their problems. Precisely, they look perfect in a given area. Therefore, before establishing a psycho-social facility, a doctor must address their personal weaknesses, insecurities as well as fears. This way, patients will have confidence that you can handle theirs.

Secondly, counselors must possess patience. Normally, few people are born tolerant. For this reason, persistence is a skill that is developed as individuals practice it. Mental changes take a while to occur. Without tolerance, a therapist may never see these changes in patients. Likewise, due to mental disorientation, some clients are normally irritating hence need much understanding.

Notably, psycho-social cases vary which is why patients are different. All the same, therapists should accept them with their weaknesses. Show compassion towards their problems and let them feel you care. Normally, most are handled indifferently by society including close family members which should be different as a therapist. Being too judgmental and criticizing imperfections will prolong healing process or lead to worse cases.

Next, work on developing lasting relationships with your clients. Psychoanalysis is a process that may take months or years before a client heals completely. During this time, an expert must develop a lasting friendship. This will cultivate trust among patients and speed up the healing process. One way to develop interpersonal relationships is through listening as well as celebrating small achievements in your patients.

Adjust a treatment approach depending on the needs of a patient. Of course, there are general guidelines taught in schools which apply to most cases. However, since needs vary with patients, therapists should adopt new mechanisms to make treatment more effective. Experts have to keep refreshing what was learned in earlier years as psychology is an advancing field.

Empathy is another valuable trait of a doctor. Unlike sympathy, empathy seeks to understand the feelings of a client by putting oneself in their shoes. Psychologists should understand why patients think the way they do even when they disagree with their perspectives. However, create a boundary between work and personal life. Being too empathetic may trigger one to carry the emotional distress of clients even at home.

An expert ought to be encouraging. Notably, most clients are in a point of hopelessness by the time they go for therapy. It is important to let them know changes are possible no matter a situation. Applaud simple milestones and give them hope whenever they seem desperate. No matter how long positive changes take to come, you should not show despair.




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