If you’re seeking therapy or know someone who is, learning what is and is not effective in counseling can help you with your search. Show
When looking for a mental health professional — especially for the first time — it’s not that strange to wonder: “What do I even look for?” With so many types of counseling services and counselors, knowing where to start isn’t exactly intuitive. Plus, it can feel overwhelming to find a counselor if you’re in the midst of a difficult experience or having symptoms of a mental health condition. If you’re seeking counseling, it can help to know what makes a good therapist and how to make the most of your sessions. Many mental health conditions and concerns benefit from specific therapies. For instance, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a highly effective talk therapy for depression and anxiety disorders. But a therapist’s expertise in certain therapy types isn’t the only thing that makes counseling effective. After all, anyone can benefit from counseling. Another key factor in counseling’s effectiveness — perhaps the most important one — is the relationship between client and clinician. If your therapist is skilled in CBT, they may know exactly how to help you reframe unhelpful thought patterns and change behaviors. But if they don’t know how to gain your trust and genuinely connect with you, your sessions will be much less effective. In fact, a 2018 article from the American Psychological Association’s (APA) journal, Psychotherapy, outlines how the therapy relationship is critical for making improvements in therapy. It’s important that the therapist-client relationship is based on collaboration — where both therapist and client are equal partners in the therapy process. This means that together, you and your therapist come up with goals and expectations for your treatment so you remain on the same page. Overarching goals might include everything from setting boundaries to finding a new job to reducing your alcohol intake or managing depression symptoms. An effective therapy relationship also includes resolving issues that arise. As in any relationship, you’ll run into disagreements in therapy — sometimes called therapy ruptures. Research in 2018 suggests that resolving these ruptures can lead to better outcomes for you. A “good” counselor is a mental health professional who supports you in making progress in your life and goals, whether that’s helping you overcome fears or improving your sense of self. According to an APA article on continuing education, there are various qualities that can set a counselor a part from others to create better outcomes in therapy. These characteristics include:
A mental health professional can be a good counselor for one person — but not a good fit for someone else. At its core, therapy is about a genuine connection between you and your therapist. When trying to figure out whether a counselor is good for you, consider asking:
Therapy is going to benefit you the most when you’re an active participant in your treatment. So, you might find therapy more effective when you:
Some of these things can be hard from time to time. That doesn’t mean you’re a “bad” client, unmotivated, or that there’s anything wrong with you. You likely have a good reason for why you’re not making as much progress as you would like, such as: If you find yourself getting stuck in therapy, consider exploring why. When you can name what’s standing in your way, you can address it and move forward. That might mean talking with your therapist about changing your goals or finding a different therapist that’s a better match for you. Just because one therapist is not right for you, it does not mean another one won’t be a good fit. Either way, try to be honest with yourself and your therapist. This is not easy, but even taking the smallest step toward expressing what’s going on can lead to tremendous growth. Being vulnerable with people you don’t know, at least initially, may seem awkward and even overwhelming. But group therapy can be a positive, transformative experience. In group therapy, you can:
But like in one-on-one therapy, not all groups are created equal. As in any meaningful, fulfilling relationship, trust and unity are essential ingredients of effective group therapy. In psychology, this is called “group cohesion.” Group cohesion occurs when:
Effective counseling is built on a strong relationship with your therapist. This can take time. A good counselor will be empathetic, tailor treatments to your needs, and foster collaboration. Together, you come up with goals and expectations for therapy. A good therapist will also not judge you or cross your boundaries. However, sometimes a good counselor just isn’t a good counselor for you. If you sense your therapist isn’t a match, try to pinpoint why. In some cases, talking it over with them can help to resolve any miscommunication or challenges. In other cases, you may just want to move on and find a different counselor to work with. If you’re looking for mental health support, but you’re not sure where to start, you can check out Psych Central’s Find Help page.
When you seek counseling for a personal problem or a mental health issue, you want to trust that you’re going to receive the help that benefits you and your life. Specific counseling characteristics can make your sessions with your therapist more effective. So, what makes a good therapist? Certain vital characteristics can enhance a counselor’s ability to help you out. Keep reading to learn about the seven characteristics of a good therapist, as well as qualities of effective therapy sessions, so you know what to look for when you seek help. What is effective counseling?Effective counseling provides you with tools and coping strategies to overcome problems you are facing in your life and to manage the symptoms of mental and emotional health problems. An effective therapy program provides support and helps you develop the skills you need to reach your full potential. Supportive counseling comes along with the following characteristics:
Effective therapy will have the features above, and in most cases, these counseling characteristics come along with a therapist who demonstrates a specific skill set, which we discuss below. What makes counseling effectiveWhen people think of what makes a good therapist, they often think of the specific type of therapy that a counselor uses. There are several therapeutic approaches available, and while there are some that have been well-studied and have demonstrated better outcomes than others.The truth is that the specific type of therapy doesn’t matter as much as who the therapist is as a person. Research has pretty consistently shown that what makes counseling effective is the specific traits of a good counselor. These will be detailed below, but in general, personality traits like empathy, warmth, and strong social skills make for effective counseling. If your therapist demonstrates these skills, you are more likely to receive effective counseling services, regardless of the specific therapeutic modality they utilize. 3 effective counseling characteristicsWhile there are a variety of factors that determine what makes counseling effective, the three counseling characteristics below are commonly regarded as some of the most critical signs of effective therapy: 1. A quality counselorAs indicated above, the primary factor determining whether counseling is effective is how strong the counselor is. Regardless of what type of therapy the therapist practices, a person who has the characteristics of a good therapist will provide better services than one whose therapy skills are not as strong. Related Reading: How to Find the Best Therapist- Expert Roundup2. Therapeutic allianceExperts have long considered therapeutic alliance as a necessary factor for effective therapy. When there is a solid therapeutic alliance, the counselor and the client have a collaborative relationship, meaning they work together to set therapy goals and view each other as equals. 3. Client-CenteredWhen therapy is client-centered, the therapist is non-directive and allows the client to set goals for therapy. Instead of sessions being about the therapist giving advice, the therapist gently guides the client toward exploring their feelings and determining what is best for them. Related Reading: Different Types of Counseling That Works Best for You7 qualities of an effective counselorIndeed, a counselor needs to have proper education and training. They also need to be qualified to use therapeutic techniques with clients, and they should be able to set the stage for change by forming a strong alliance with clients and remaining client-centered. Beyond the general counseling characteristics above, the seven qualities below are key characteristics of effective counselors: 1. EmpathyThe ability to see things from another person’s point of view and understand their struggles is one of the essential counseling characteristics. This allows a therapist to be sensitive to people’s emotions and feelings, which is why empathy is important for supportive counseling. Remember, empathy is different from sympathy. An empathetic therapist will take on your perspective and truly walk through challenging times with you. To learn more about empathy, watch this video: 2. FlexibilityCounseling characteristics include remembering that no two clients who come to therapy are the same. Each client has their own values, culture, and belief system, so a therapist must be flexible and alter treatment plans according to each client’s unique needs. A flexible approach means they will be willing to alter treatment modalities to make you more comfortable and to bring them in alignment with your beliefs and values. 3. TrustworthinessTherapy requires clients to share some of their deepest feelings and struggles with another person, so it is important to feel that you can trust your therapist. People are typically pretty skilled at identifying whether someone is trustworthy. If your gut tells you that you can trust your therapist, you’re probably right, and you’ve found a quality counselor who is well versed with good counseling characteristics. Keep in mind that a therapist is required by law to keep information from your sessions confidential under most circumstances, and a therapist who can adhere to this policy shows trustworthiness. Related Reading: 5 Tips for Choosing and Working With a Relationship Therapist4. Strong social skillsIt probably goes without saying, but the characteristics of a counselor include having strong social skills. This means they can understand other people and their emotions and communicate clearly and effectively. During therapy sessions, therapists may provide psychoeducation to inform people about mental and emotional health issues. This requires strong social skills so that they can communicate that information effectively. 5. OptimismPeople may come to therapy in the darkest periods of their lives, and they may feel that the future is bleak, and there is nothing they can do to change or improve their situation. One of the qualities of an effective counselor is the ability to remain optimistic and show clients that there is hope for a better future. It is one of the essential counseling characteristics. Indeed, you want your therapist to be realistic, but they should take an optimistic outlook and help you to see that change is possible with hard work. 6. WarmthWhen your therapist seems warm and caring, you will be more comfortable opening up to them. On the other hand, if they come across as cold and judgmental, you aren’t likely to make much progress in therapy. Look for a warm, accepting, and approachable counselor, as these qualities of a counselor will enhance their ability to help you. 7. PresenceLife is busy and stressful, and sometimes we find ourselves multitasking, but this isn’t something you want to happen during your therapy sessions. One of the critical traits of a good counselor is that they can be present with you during your therapy sessions. This means that you can tell they are entirely focused on you. They give you their full attention, and you can tell that they are actively listening and interested in your story. If you get the sense that your counselor is distracted or thinking about other things, you probably aren’t going to make much progress. Also Try: Do You Need Relationship Counseling?The process of effective counselingJust as counseling characteristics can make your therapy sessions effective, therapists follow a general process to make therapy work. This involves beginning with a rapport-building stage, during which your therapist gets to know you and establishes a sense of trust and safety. Next, your therapist will complete an assessment. They will ask questions to help them understand the history of the problem that has brought you to counseling, as well as what is going on now that you’d like to work on in therapy.Once they identify the problem from your perspective, they will work collaboratively to develop goals and a treatment plan. This is one of the important characteristics of counseling. Once a treatment plan is in place, your therapist will work with you to develop solutions to your problems and help you create fundamental changes in your thoughts and behavior. This is one of the essential qualities of a good counselor. Your therapist will also regularly evaluate your progress to ensure that the treatment plan is working for effective counseling. Since flexibility is one of the characteristics of a good counselor, your therapist may modify your treatment plan, as necessary, to meet your needs. Ultimately, your therapist will help you develop the skills necessary for success once therapy sessions end. You may be sad to see therapy come to an end, but a good therapist will empower you to make positive changes and carry them with you after therapy. ConclusionCounseling is sometimes necessary to help us overcome personal problems or mental health issues, and certain counseling characteristics can make the process more effective. If you’re looking for effective therapy services, it is vital to choose someone who shows the qualities of an effective counselor. They would have the ability to be empathetic, a willingness to be flexible, and the capability to be warm, present, and optimistic. If you’re looking for a quality therapist near you, searching a government database of providers in your area can be a good starting point. You can also contact your local mental health board to refer to a nearby therapist or reach out to your primary care doctor, who can refer you for counseling. Another option that has become increasingly popular is seeking the services of an online therapist. As the world becomes more technologically advanced, teletherapy services via webcam, cellphone, email, or text message, are part of the norm. |