2007-03-23 06:47:44 · 10 answers · asked by Vicki B 1 in Social Science ➔ Psychology
Be approachable.
Be humble (makes you more approachable).
Listen first and withhold judgment until you know all the facts. Then, and only then, offer an opinion.
Be a good teacher. Telling is not teaching. Try to help your student reach their own conclusion rather than preaching to him/her.
Be kind, understanding, and empathetic.
Be knowledgeable in the area in which you are counseling.
Take initiative (don't just be reactive). Sometimes a student may not be willing or able to approach you.
OK, there's more, but those are the basics.
2007-03-23 07:39:07 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
(I don't know which you meant, but I'm talking about school guidance counselors here, AND psychologists)
A counselor, in my opinion, should be sharp when it comes to awareness, most importantly. If a person has a problem, a counselor should be able to notice the signs and should take action right away. (This coming from a social phobic who's been one since 2nd grade, in a school where, for 9 years, nobody ever tried the slightest to help the obviously way-too-shy-girl.)
Counselors should by sympathetic and empathetic, but not too much. A counselor's job isn't to shower a person with pity-parties, but to help them with whatever their problems.
Being sociable wouldn't hurt either. The more casually you treat people, the quicker they'll come to trust you.
And smile. Believe me, your patients/students will like you a lot more if you smile.
Oh, and one final tip: DON'T continuously say 'I hear ya' while your patient/student is talking. Trust me, it's really freaking annoying. (thank God I got a new shrink...)
2007-03-23 14:41:40 · answer #2 · answered by willem de worstkoning 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Many are needed:
Good listener, personable, respectful, sincere, good eye contact, genuine, honest, empathetic, responsible, wise, loyal, real, to the point, compassionate, problem solver, objective, articulate & a great communicator.
2007-03-23 13:58:40 · answer #3 · answered by You are loved 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Good listening skills are paramount.
Being non-judgemental, (difficult sometimes!)
Good eye contact
Good time keeping and dependability.
The list is actually quite long, but those I THINK are very important. Good luck!
2007-03-25 14:51:55 · answer #4 · answered by SUPER-GLITCH 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
listen and take action right away.
My counselors in school sucked, they never helped with any of my concerns.
If you show that you really care, people will come back to you
2007-03-23 13:51:20 · answer #5 · answered by Kevo 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Genuineness.
Also, just to put it out there. If you are seeing a therapist you don't like, FIND ANOTHER!!!!!!! All therapists have different styles and one style will be better suited to you than another. (kind of in response to an above answer)
2007-03-23 13:58:30 · answer #6 · answered by belle_bonnie 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Versed in the field he/she is working in.
Empathetic.
Sense of humor.
Flexible.
2007-03-23 14:06:45 · answer #7 · answered by Student 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
empathy, compassion, rationale, good listening skills, good analytical skills, ability to separate oneself personally from client situations that can get strained or personal ...
2007-03-23 13:52:33 · answer #8 · answered by kittycat 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He or she needs to be able to communicate to you in a way that makes sence to you.
2007-03-23 13:56:57 · answer #9 · answered by Joel S 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
they shouldn't be expensive! if someone really wanted to help you they wouldn't charge you for it...
2007-03-23 13:58:01 · answer #10 · answered by deathbyrazorblades 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋