Characteristics of Effective

Counselors / Therapists
PSYC 203 Clinical / Counseling Psychology
University of St. La Salle
Abigaile R. Capay, MS, RPsy
The Person as Professional
As therapists,
we serve as MODELS for our clients

If we model incongruent behavior, low risk

activity, and remain distant, we can expect
our clients to imitate this.

If we model realness by engaging in

appropriate self-disclosure, our clients will
tend to be honest with us in the therapeutic
relationship
The Role of the Counselor / Therapist

´ To enable the client to explore the many aspects of their life

and feelings, by talking openly and freely.
´ To remain objective and not emotionally involved with the
client

´ The counselor is free from judgement nor offers advice

´ Counselors need to be empathic, rather than sympathetic
The Role of the Counselor / Therapist

´ The ultimate aim is to enable the client to make their own

choices, reach their own decisions, and to act upon them
accordingly

´ The counselor’s role is to facilitate the client’s work in ways

that respect the client’s values, personal resources and
capacity for self-determination.
Personal Characteristics of Effective Therapists

´ Effective therapists have an identity

´ Effective therapists respect and appreciate
themselves
´ Effective therapists are open to change
´ Effective therapists make choices that are life
oriented
´ Effective therapists are authentic, sincere and honest
Personal Characteristics of Effective Therapists

´ Effective therapists have a sense of humor

´ Effective therapists make mistakes and are willing to
admit them
´ Effective therapists generally live in the present
´ Effective therapists appreciate the influence of culture
´ Effective therapists have a sincere interest in the welfare
of others
 Personal Characteristics of Effective Therapists

Ø Effective therapists possess effective interpersonal skills

Ø Effective therapists become deeply involved in their work
and derive meaning from it
Ø Effective therapists are passionate
Ø Effective therapists are able to maintain healthy boundaries
1. Have an Identity – self-knowledge of one’s strengths,
limitations, potentials, goals, “essentials”
2. Respect & Appreciate Themselves – able to give &
receive help/love; having a sense of adequacy, and
allowing others to feel “powerful” and able
3. Are Open to Change – willingness to try new “things”;
make decisions to change, and work on them, to
become the person they want to be
4. Make Choices that are Life-oriented –
committed to live life fully in the here and now;
producing; co-creating
5. Are Authentic, Sincere & Honest – checking
ourselves for compensatory behaviors; “gut level”
6. Have a Sense of Humor – being able to laugh
7. Make Mistakes and Are Willing to Admit Them – does
not take errors lightly and does not dwell in these
errors; apologizes
8. Generally Live in the Present – recognizing past
decisions and when necessary, are willing to change
them; not fixated on the future but being in the “here
& now”
9. Appreciate the Influence of Culture – awareness of
the influence of culture on behavior; respects diversity;
sensitivity to the other’s group membership (e.g., SES)
10. Have a Sincere Interest in the Welfare of
Others – concern is based on respect, care, trust
and the valuing of the other
11. Possess Effective Interpersonal Skills (Norcross,
2002) – seeing and feeling the other person’s
world without getting absorbed into it
12. Become Deeply Involved in Their Work &
Derive Meaning from It – genuine “engagement”;
knowing when to stop
13. Are Passionate (Skovholt & Jennings, 2004) – having
passions and being passionate about them

14. Are Able to Maintain Healthy Boundaries –

going back to one’s Identity; saying “no”/“stop”
 The Counselor as a Therapeutic Person

´ Who the therapist / counselor is directly relates to his or her ability

to establish and maintain effective therapy relationship with
clients
´ Abundant research indicates that “the centrality of the person of
the therapist is a primary factor in successful therapy”
´ Clients place more value on the personality of the counselor than
on the specific techniques used
Discussion:
Issues Faced by New Counselors
 Issues Faced by New Counselors

´ Dealing with your anxieties

´ Being Yourself and Self Disclosure
´ Avoiding Perfectionism
´ Being Honest about your Limitations
´ Understanding Silence
 Issues Faced by New Counselors

´ Dealing with demands from clients

´ Dealing with clients who lack commitment
´ Tolerating Ambiguity
´ Becoming Aware of your Countertransference
´ Developing a Sense of Humor
 Issues Faced by New Counselors

´ Sharing Responsibility with the Client

´ Declining to Give Advice
´ Defining your role as a counselor
´ Learning to Use Techniques Appropriately
´ Developing your own Counseling Style
´ Maintaining your Vitality as a Person and as a Professional