06/05/2023
10 Signs of a good Counsellor according to Personality theories:
We will use the term "Counsellor" to any mental health clinician who uses psychotherapy, including professionals like social workers, psychologists, and others.
The 10 signs of a good Counsellor are highlighted here as indicators of an effective mental health clinician. These signs are not guarantees of being a good Counsellor but are observations that suggest effectiveness.
1- Willingness to challenge Clients.
The first sign is the willingness to challenge clients, even though there may be a temptation to go along with everything a client says. Private practitioners sometimes avoid challenging clients due to fear of losing them, but in fact, clients seek therapy for a different perspective. Challenging clients does not have to be mean or impolite, but it involves pointing out discrepancies and offering additional perspectives. Many Counsellors exhibit agreeableness, a trait where they tend to agree with others and trust them. However, being highly agreeable can make it difficult to contradict or challenge clients. Counsellors need to resist the agreeable trait and be willing to offer a different perspective, even if it means being disagreeable.
2- Ability to hold into therapeutic goals.
This trait is associated with high conscientiousness. When a Counsellor is conscientious, they are more likely to have a goal-oriented approach. The Counsellor's capacity to maintain a clear focus on the client's therapeutic objectives throughout the counseling process is a sign of a good counsellor. Some key aspects related to this sign is to have a goal-oriented approach. First is to establish therapeutic goals in collaboration with the client. These goals are specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART). The Counsellor keeps these goals at the forefront of the therapeutic work, ensuring that all interventions and strategies align with the client's desired outcomes. Then, regularly reassessing goals throughout the counseling journey. By skillfully holding onto therapeutic goals, a good Counsellor provides structure, direction, and purpose to the counseling process. They guide clients towards achieving meaningful outcomes, promoting growth, and facilitating positive change in their lives.
3- Ability to revisit the original topic.
The third sign of a good Counsellor is their ability to revisit the original topic in a counseling session. This means that while tangents and diversions in the conversation are acceptable, a skilled Counsellor keeps the initial subject in mind and eventually returns to it. They understand that the original topic may still hold importance and shouldn't be completely forgotten. It's not necessary for the Counsellor to have a flawless memory, as they can acknowledge the tangent and express the intention to return to the original topic, even if they don't remember it exactly. The key is the awareness and desire to address the initial subject, rather than relying solely on perfect short-term memory.
4- Being Realistic.
The Fourth sign is when a Counsellor is realistic. Individuals high in extraversion and positive emotions, and low in neuroticism, may struggle with being realistic, especially about difficult topics.
It's important for Counsellors to have a balance, expressing some negative emotions and being cautious about excessive positive emotions, so they can help clients be realistic about their situations.
Clients don't always need a Counsellor who is overly positive or believes that everything will work out; being realistic about challenging situations is beneficial.
5- Therapeutic Curiosity.
The fifth sign of a good Counsellor is curiosity, specifically intellectual curiosity, which aligns with the trait of openness to experience. Counsellors should be genuinely interested in their clients' symptoms, personal history, and narratives, showing a desire to explore and understand. However, there is a need for balance. Excessive curiosity can hinder therapy progress and invade clients' privacy, so Counsellors must be mindful of boundaries. While basic information about traumatic experiences should be communicated, not all specific details may be necessary, emphasizing the importance of finding the right balance.
6- Flexibility and adaptability.
This sign is associated with openness. They recognize that different clients have unique needs, and they are willing to tailor their approach to meet those specific needs. This may involve integrating elements from different therapeutic modalities or adjusting their methods based on individual client preferences. Their Ability to adjust to client dynamics as clients come from diverse backgrounds and may present with different personalities, communication styles, and emotional states. A skilled counselor can adapt their approach to establish rapport and effectively engage with each client. They are attuned to the client's cues and can modify their communication and interventions accordingly.
7- Research integration
The seventh sign of a good Counsellor is a Counsellor who reads the research ledger. This trait is associated with high conscientiousness. When a Counsellor is conscientious, they are more likely to engage with research. For example, when faced with a new client who has a disorder that the Counsellor is unfamiliar with, relying solely on personal experience or hoping for good luck is insufficient. Instead, a good Counsellor recognizes the importance of research in informing their understanding of psychopathology and treatment options.
If a Counsellor takes the initiative to read one or two articles before the next session when dealing with a new client, particularly in cases involving less familiar disorders like rapid cycling bipolar, it is seen as a positive indicator. This demonstrates their dedication and commitment to staying informed and providing effective therapy. In contrast, situations may arise where clients inquire about specific disorders, and the Counsellor's response might involve mentioning previous clients with similar presentations or attending a training on the topic. While these experiences are valuable, a truly conscientious Counsellor acknowledges their knowledge gaps and responds by saying they will actively seek out relevant literature to enhance their understanding. This willingness to expand their knowledge is a strong indication of a conscientious Counsellor who understands their limits and strives to be effective in their practice.
8- Knows when to stop talking:
The eighth sign of a good Counsellor is associated with social awareness and self regulation which are part of the emotional quotient. A good Counsellor knows when to stop talking. While there is pressure during the learning process for Counsellors to speak and demonstrate their skills, in clinical practice, the mentality of feeling the need to constantly fill the space with words can be detrimental. It is important for Counsellors to have effective techniques and responses, but it is equally valuable to recognize the power of silence and knowing when not to speak.
There are moments when a client's statement calls for silence as the best response. If a Counsellor doesn't have an immediate helpful reply or lacks clarity, it is acceptable to admit not having an answer and take a moment to process the information. This sign emphasizes the significance of thinking before speaking, and it is acceptable to communicate the need for a brief pause to gather thoughts.
While this approach may not seem ideal for recordings or test sessions aimed at demonstrating educational achievements, it can be highly effective in counseling. A good Counsellor understands their boundaries and limitations. If they don't have a suitable response or require time to formulate one, it is better to wait and take a moment rather than providing an inadequate or ill-conceived reply.
9- Promote client Autonomy:
The ninth sign of a good Counsellor is the ability to promote autonomy in clients. This means helping clients develop the skills to become self-reliant and apply what they've learned in counseling between sessions. Additionally, a good Counsellor should effectively communicate and understand when long-term therapy is necessary. While long-term therapy may be controversial for some, there are situations that require extended treatment, and a good Counsellor should be able to convey this while also recognizing when a client has reached a point of no longer needing therapy.
10- Pinpointing:
The tenth sign of a good Counsellor is the ability to perceive and point out what clients are trying to express. This means being attentive and not oblivious to subtle cues and nonverbal communication. It's not about pointing out every little detail, but rather understanding when a client is subtly trying to communicate something they may not want to directly say. This could be evident through body language, changes in mood, or other forms of indirect expression. A good Counsellor should be able to pick up on these cues and appropriately address them, demonstrating sensitivity and a willingness to explore what the client may be experiencing.
It is important to note that these eight signs are indicators of good counseling but do not guarantee a good Counsellor on their own. They represent aspects that are typically associated with effective counseling practices. Different opinions exist when it comes to mental health counseling and performance, and these signs serve as general guidelines.
