Effective Counselor

Characteristics of the Effective Counselor

Heather Andrews

Liberty University

Abstract

In the industry of counseling, people will encounter effective counselors and ineffective counselors. The purpose behind this research paper is to identify specific characteristics of an effective counselor. Below is an outline of questions that will be answered throughout this research paper:

• Does certain characteristics affect the ability of a counselor to be effective?

• What is the difference between an effective counselor and an ineffective counselor?

• What are the consequences of an ineffective counselor?

• Can characteristics of an effective counselor be a learned habit?

• Are there other elements other than

When an individual reaches out for assistance and guidance to achieve healing and direction, it is imperative that this person works with an effective counselor. It is imperative for an individual to work with an effective counselor to achieve a state of welling being and a state of independence (a stable functioning person of society). The consequences of working with an ineffective counselor is emotional damage, not resolving the issues, and created co-dependency on the counselor. A person is able to identify the differences between an effective and ineffective counselor by their characteristics. Characteristics can be identify as a list of personality traits and qualities that distinguishes an individual. Effective counselors and ineffective counselors have different agendas and goals. The agenda and goals of the counselor will also be a helpful hint to whether or not a person is working with an effective counselor or an ineffective counselor. Therefore, a person has the ability to sit under a counselor and is able to recognize if the counselor is going to be effective or ineffective based on their

My expectation was that they should feel better quickly. I also did not appreciate that clients often began to feel worse as they give up their defenses and open themselves to pain"

• "I was more inclined to accept clients who were bright, verbal, attractive, and willing to talk about their problems than clients who seemed depressed or unmotivated to change...I learned in my supervision that working with depressed patients was difficult for me because of my own reluctance to deal with my own fears of depression. This experience taught me the important lesson that I could not take clients in any direction that I had not been willing to explore in my own life"

Based on Professor Gerald Corey experience in his personal career of counseling, he was able to identify his strengths and weaknesses. Professor Gerald Corey was able to see how his characteristics affected the method of counseling and how he would accept clients. The above statements provide a snap shot of showing how an ineffective counselor can work towards becoming an effective counselor. As long as the counselor is teachable, then obtaining positive characteristics is