Attributes Of Effective Counselors In Stratford CT

By William Watson


A significant number of people around the globe are dealing with family issues, relationship challenges, workplace stress, depression and anxiety. These mental and psychological problems can impact your wellbeing and happiness, and hence the need for mental health therapists. These professionals are licensed and certified by the state to help people with stress and mental health issues. The following are the traits of effective counselors in Stratford CT.

When searching for a counselor, get someone who understands the need for communication. Counseling involves the patient or client sharing their life experiences or challenges, listening and explaining ideas and opinion. It means the best therapist is one who is a natural listener and can communicate ideas or opinions clearly and in a precise manner. When the expert fails to understand the problem of the patient, there will be zero progress.

The next aspect is empathy. Remember most patients are undergoing the hardest times of their lives. Trying to feel and understand what these people are going through is what makes a difference between these professionals. Therapists with compassion will make patients feel understood and this is likely to make positive impact on their recovery. Patients are better heard if the therapist puts him or herself in the shoes of the client.

Flexibility. Clients have varying needs. The way an addiction patient is handled will be very different from an anxiety or depression patient. An effective mental health specialist will adapt treatment techniques based on the response of the patient. Those who hold on to a predetermined therapeutic procedure for all clients usually have low success rate. For a higher success rate in therapy, there is need for flexibility.

Self-awareness is also a crucial trait. Counselors cannot help patients without helping themselves first. If a patient is dealing with insecurities or anxiety, he or she would never visit a therapists dealing with fear and anxiety. The specialist will not be intuitive about your needs and you are less likely to see positive change. Therefore, effective therapists will address their own issues like fear, addiction and other psychological problems first before handling clients.

The best professionals in this field are patient. The road to recovery is long and rough. Change will not be witnessed within days or weeks, sometimes it will take even years. A good mental health practitioner will be willing and ready to wait as the patient improves slowly. To help the client stay patient too, the expert must learn to celebrate small victories and that way both parties will remain focused to the main goal.

Another critical trait is the ability to build a rapport. Interpersonal skills are very essential for good counseling. One does not need to be very charismatic but at least they should make patients feel comfortable through proper listen and pay attention to the needs of the patient. Without building a rapport, clients will rarely open up to which affects treatment.

Effective counselors are students. They understand that learning does not stop once you get a job. To keep up with all the advancement in the industry, career development programs like workshops and seminars are must.




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment