Counseling/Psychotherapy

as a Spiritual Gift
• “But we have gifts that differ and which are meant to be
used according to the grace that has been given to us. If your
gift is prophecy, use it to the extent of your trust; 7 if it is
serving, use it to serve; if you are a teacher, use your gift in
teaching; 8 if you are a counselor, use your gift to comfort and
exhort; if you are someone who gives, do it simply and
generously; if you are in a position of leadership, lead with
diligence and zeal; if you are one who does acts of mercy, do
them cheerfully.” Romans 12:6-8 (Complete Jewish Bible)
• “To one, through the Spirit, is given a word of wisdom; to
another, a word of knowledge, in accordance with the same
Spirit; to another, faith, by the same Spirit; and to another,
gifts of healing, by the one Spirit.” 1 Cor. 12:8, 9 (CJB)
 The Greatest and Model Counselor
• “For to us a child is born,
    to us a son is given,
    and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
    Wonderful Counselor….” Isaiah 9:6 (NIV)
1. The Counselor Qualities
AS A PERSON AND PROFESSIONAL
 Introductory Bible Passage
• “Understand this, my beloved brothers and
sisters. Let everyone be quick to hear [be a
careful, thoughtful listener], slow to speak [a
speaker of carefully chosen words and], slow to
anger [patient, reflective, forgiving].” James 1:19
(Amplified Bible)
Personal Characteristics of Effective
Counselors
• 1. They have an identity.
• 2. They respect and appreciate themselves.
• 3. They are able to recognize and accept their own power.
• 4. They are open to change.
• 5. They are making choices that shape their lives.
• 6. They feel alive, and their choices are life-oriented.
• 7. They are authentic, sincere, and honest.
• 8. They have a sense of humor.
• 9. They make mistakes and are willing to admit them.
• 10. They generally live in the present.
• 11. They appreciate the influence of culture.
• 12. They have a sincere interest in the welfare of others.
• 13. They become deeply involved in their work and derive meaning
from it.
• 14. They are able to maintain healthy boundaries.
 HOW EFFECTIVE ARE YOU AS A THERAPIST (BEING A PERSON & PROFESSIONAL)?
• Characteristics of an Effective Therapist Ranking Rating Product (10 to 1) (+3 to -3) (ranking x
rating)
(a) Has an identity. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ___ ___ _______ _______
(b) Respects and appreciates his/her self. . . . . . . . . _______ _______ _______
© Able to recognize and accept his/her own power. _______ _______ _______
(d) Open to change. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . _______ _______ _______
(e) Makes choices that shape his life. . . . . . . . . . . . _______ _______ _______
(f) Feels alive, and his/her choices are life-oriented. _______ _______ _______
(g) Is authentic, sincere, and honest. . . . . . . . . . . . . _______ _______ _______
(h) Has sense of humor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . _______ _______ _______
(i) Makes mistakes and is willing to admit them. . . _______ _______ _______
(j) Generally lives in the present. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . _______ _______ _______
(k) Appreciates the influence of culture. . . . . . . . . . _______ _______ _______
(l) Has a sincere interest in the welfare of others. . . _______ _______ _______
(m) Becomes deeply involved in his/her work
and derives meaning from it. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . _______ _______ _______
(n) Able to maintain healthy boundaries. . . . . . . . . . _______ _______ _______
+3 Completely satisfied +1 Somewhat satisfied. - 3 Completely dissatisfied. -1 Somewhat dissatisfied
+2. Generally satisfied 0 Neutral - 2. Generally dissatisfied
Interpretation:
• 81% - AboveVery Highly satisfied
• 61% - 80% Highly satisfied
• 41% - 60% Moderately satisfied / dissatisfied
• 21% - 40% Highly dissatisfied
• 1% - 20% Very highly dissatisfied

• Reaction/Reflection:

• (email: fabellaa46@yahoo.com)
• Please indicate your Chinese & English name, and LPU ID number
• Credit: 50 points
 Issues Faced by Beginning Counselors
• 1. Dealing with our Anxieties – self-doubts on our way of dealing with
the clients

• 2. Being and Disclosing Ourselves

• 3. Avoiding Perfectionism

• 4. Being Honest about our Limitations

• 5. Understanding Silence
• 6. Dealing with Demands from Clients (i.e. to see you more often and
longer)

• 7. Dealing with Clients who Lack Commitment (esp. referred by

court/SSC)

8. Tolerating Ambiguity – not seeing the fruits of their labor

9. Avoiding Losing Ourselves in our Clients – worrying too much about

clients

10. Developing a Sense of Humor – distracting vs. enhancing the situation

11. Sharing Responsibility with the Client – in directing the latter’s life

12. Declining to Give Advice – as sought by the clients thinking that the
counselor is the one who knows the answer to their problems

13. Defining your Role as a Counselor (primarily to help clients

recognize their own strengths, discover what is preventing them
from using their strengths, and clarify what kind of person they
want to be)

14. Learning to use Techniques Appropriately – Ideally, therapeutic

techniques should evolve from the therapeutic relationship and
should enhance the client’s awareness or suggest possibilities for
experimenting with new behavior.
15. Developing your own Counseling Style (vs. imitating the style of
another counselor or some other model)

16. Staying Alive as a Person and as a Professional – i.e. problem of

professional burnout