Effective & Ineffective Counseling Characteristics

Choosing to go to counseling is often the first step to recovery or healing for many people. Understanding the traits of an effective counselor is one way to make sure that you haven't hired an ineffective one. An effective counselor is aware of the imbalance of power in the relationship and maintains a sense of professionalism.

Communication

• Effective counselors are skilled communicators. They have the ability to encourage you to open up and talk about your problems. They also have listening skills, an important part of communication. With an effective counselor, you should never get the feeling that he is bored or watching his clock. Another sign of an ineffective counselor is one who takes over the conversation and makes it about him. If you find yourself doing most of the listening and learning too much about your counselor's life, it may be time for a change.

Appearance

• Simple, professional dress is a sign of an effective counselor. This counselor neither dresses in a way that is intimidating or flaunts wealth, nor so casually that they appear unprofessional. It's important for a counselor to be someone the client can relate to. Wearing expensive clothing or jewelry during a session may become a distraction. Showing up in jeans and a sweatshirt can have the opposite effect, indicating to a client that the counselor doesn't take his job seriously.

Work Ethic

• To be effective, a counselor should arrive on time and work through each session without appearing to be in a rush to get on to the next appointment. The counselor and client relationship is not a balance of power. Asking a client whether they mind ending early is not acceptable for an effective counselor because the client may not feel comfortable saying no. An effective counselor also stays aware of her clients with good notes so that she doesn't have to spend counseling time being reminded of things she forgot.

Professionalism

• Counseling is a profession. To be effective, a counselor must maintain an air of professionalism. This means following ethics rules regarding privacy, including not interacting with a client outside of the office. A counselor shouldn't eat or drink in the office unless the client is offered the same, such as water or coffee. Again, asking permission to be unprofessional is not acceptable for an effective counselor because of the imbalance of power.