Basic Qualities of an Effective Counselor

1. BASIC
QUALITIES OF
EFFECTIVE
HELPERS
(Nystul, 1999)

2. SECTION III
QUALIITIES/COMPETENCY
OF AN EFFECTIVE
COUNSELOR
The key being able to put on all these
different hast and remain effective is
acquiring the right skill sets. This is
where the appropriate training comes
in; the coursework and the curriculum
are designed to give a broad view and
general understanding of the many
roles, responsibilities and obligations of
the social worker.

3. 1. ENCOURAGING
Encouragement helps clients
to believe in their potential
for growth and development.
One of the primary jobs of a
counselor often involves
instilling hope in a hopeless
individual.
2. ARTISTIC
Effective counselors tend to be
sensitive and responsive to
client’s needs. Being artistic
implies being creative and
flexible and adjusting the
counseling techniques to the
unique needs of their client.

4. 3. Emotionally stable
An emotionally unbalanced
counselor will probably do
more harm than good for the
client.
4.Empathic and caring
Effective counselor care about
people and have the desire to help
those in need. They are sensitive to
the emotional states of others and
can communicate an understanding
of their struggles in life. Empathy is
the ability to understand and share
the feelings of others. You need to
be able to put yourself in the shoes
of your client and understand the
situation from their point of view.

5. 5. Self-aware
Being self-aware enables
counselors to become aware of
their limitations. Self-awareness
can also help counselors monitor
their needs, so they can gratify
those needs in a manner that does
not interfere with the counselling
process. This is related to self-
acceptance, self-esteem, and self-
realization. He should also be
aware of their own fears,
insecurities, and weaknesses for
him to be effective in the
therapeutic relationship.
6. Self-acceptance
This suggest that counselors
are comfortable with
themselves. They should be
working on their personal
growth and development

6. 7. Positive self-esteem
This can help counselors
cope with their personal and
professional lives and
maintain the emotional
stability that is central to their
job.
8. Self-realization
Effective counselors reach out
in new directions and explore
new horizons, As they do, they
realize that growth requires
commitment, risk, and
suffering. Counselors can
welcome life experiences and
learn from them.

7. 9. Self-disclosure
Effective counselors are
constructively open with their
thoughts and feelings. When
counselors model openness,
they encourage their clients
to be open.
10. Courageous
Although it is important for
the clients to perceive their
counselors as competent,
counselors are not perfect,
and they should not be
viewed as perfect. Having the
courage to communicate their
weakness and strengths gives
an authentic picture of them.

8. 11. Patient
It may take them time to
accept certain things and to
move towards positive
changes. Some people need
to discuss something many
times before they are
prepared to make a move in
any particular direction.
12. Non-judgmental
You must do your best to
refrain from judgment and
instead communicate positive
regard.

9. 13. Discrete
Confidentiality is of upmost
importance when you are a
counselor. You must be able
to maintain confidentiality so
the client can trust you with
their most intimate concerns.
14. Authenticity
Authenticity is vital when
working with clients. Clients
will know if you are being fake
or not showing genuine
concern. They will not open
up to you or trust your advice
unless they feel you are
genuine.

10. 15. Good listener
Counselors spend a
significant amount of time
listening to their clients. You
will do more listening than
talking. You must be content
to give the client time to
express their story and their
feelings (Seden, 2005).