What it takes to be a successful therapist and what attributes to have?

Question

Im currently doing a business course and just wanted the publics views on what attributes they think a good therapist should have?

Answer 1

Knowlege and experience in what field they are working in.
Compassion and understanding, and an ability to listen.
They need to be free of prejudice, if you're ultra-religious, racist or homophobic its going to cloud your vision if a client has a topic you 'disagree' with.

Answer 2

Ok, well, first you need to get an undergraduate degree in one of the social sciences. Then, in order to practice, you must go to graduate school. After graduate school you need to acquire about two years of supervised therapeutic work to get a license to practice independently.

Then, the question is too broad to answer. The values and attributes of a therpaist will llikely depend on the therapeutic approach being used (i.e. Gestault, Psychotherapy, Stengths Based Approach, Narrative Therapy, etc etc). Therapists tend to find thier own niche.

So really, a good therapist should figure out what you wish to work on, and what approach to use. If they cannot use that approach they should refer you to someone who can.

Hope this helps.

Answer 3

FORGIVE THE ALL-CAPS, BUT THEY ARE JUST EASIER TO READ. I AM NOT SHOUTING AT YOU. THE BEST ATTRIBUTE OF ANY THERAPIST IS TO BE A GOOD LISTENER (WHAT IS CALLED "ACTIVE LISTENING") AND NOT TO JUDGE. THE NEXT BEST ATTRIBUTE IS TO BE ABLE TO STAY ON-TASK, OR ON-SUBJECT, AND GENTLY GUIDE YOUR PATIENT FORWARD IN A DIRECTION WHICH IS RECOGNIZABLE AND NOT ALL OVER CHRISTENDOM. BUT BEFORE YOU CAN DO THAT YOU HAVE TO ALLOW FREE ASSOCIATION AND SOME GOOD OLD FANTASIZING, BUT WHEN THE PERSON YOU ARE HELPING BEGINS TO ENTER INTO ORBITAL DIALOGUE WITH YOU OR STARTS PLAYING TAPE LOOPS, THAT IS WHEN YOU STEP IN WITH A DEFT TOUCH AND AIM THE EXCHANGE TOWARD SOMETHING RESEMBLING A HEALING. I AM NOT A THERAPIST, BY THE WAY, BUT EVERYBODY TELLS ME EVERYTHING ABOUT THEMSELVES, AND WHAT THEY WANT IS FOR ME TO JUST LISTEN FROM MY HEART, AND NOT TO SAY YES OR NO NOR JUDGE THEM. THIS ENABLES THEM TO COMPLETELY OPEN UP AND LISTEN TO THEMSELVES TALKING ON AND ON AND EVEN MAKE SOME CORRECTIONS, SOMETIMES. THE HEAL HAPPENS WHEN IT OCCURS TO THEM THERE ARE OTHER WAYS TO DEAL WITH STUFF. IT IS BETTER WHEN IT OCCURS NATURAL THAN WHEN YOU JUST BLURT IT OUT AT THEM. A GOOD THERAPIST ALLOWS HIS CLIENT THE ART OF SELF-DISCOVERY. I ALSO HAPPEN TO BELIEVE IT IS CRIMINAL WHAT THEY CHARGE IN THIS (U.S.A.) COUNTRY JUST TO LISTEN TO YOU. I ALWAYS THINK A GOOD FRIEND IS BETTER THAN A STRANGER DRESSED IN WHITE. OR EVEN A STRANGER ACTING CASUAL. (AND CLINICAL) I HOPE THIS SHEDS SOME LIGHT ON HOW I FEEL ABOUT YOUR QUESTION. WHETHER OR NOT IT HAS ANYTHING TO DO WITH ANSWERING IT IS QUITE ANOTHER MATTER. YOU WOULD DO BETTER TO HAVE A SMALL GLASS OF RED WINE. AND ENJOY YOUR AFTERNOON. GREETINGS FROM SOUTH PORTLAND, MAINE. - G.

Answer 4

A therapist needs above all to be a very good listener, in fact that is all they need to know, along with the ability to assess how much they can possibly get away with charging for this 'unique' service that they are providing!!
Hope this helps?? That will be $200 please, do call again!!

Answer 5

depends on what area you want to work in.